LAHARUM beat last season’s grand final opponent Kalkee for the second time this season in a hard-fought game at Kalkee Recreation Reserve at the weekend.

It was the first time in several years the Mountain Men had tasted victory on the road against the Kees.

The game was an arm wrestle, but Laharum held the ascendancy from the start and never relinquished it.

The visitors were aided by a strong breeze as they built a 21-point lead at quarter-time.

Kalkee battled back in the second quarter but was wasteful with seven behinds.

The third quarter was where the damage was done as Laharum turned a 15-point lead into a 43-point hiding at the final change.

The Kees battled back to cut the final margin to 15, but it was too little, too late.

Robbie Miller, who started in the backline and worked his way forward kicking a goal, was named best on ground.

Brett Ervin did well to restrict Kalkee spearhead Liam French to two goals, and Mark Muszkieta played an excellent game off a wing. 

Josh Beddison, Alex Bryan, Ross McRae and Steve Schultz were the Kees’ best. 

Laharum coach Shannon Argall said it was a vital game for his side.

“It was a big win, not only for the four points but because we see Kalkee as our biggest threat to be honest,” he said.

“To continue winning against them is important. 

“I think the biggest difference is we were able to pile on goals in the third quarter and then dig in and not let them back into the game.” 

Kalkee coach Trevor O’Brien agreed the third quarter was a letdown for his side.

“We kept it close in the first half, but they really won the game in the third quarter, and the margin got too big,” he said.

“We didn’t make the most of our opportunities in the second quarter and our second half was disappointing.”

Argall came off the ground with a corked thigh but said he did not expect to miss any games.