KALKEE has started its season on a high with a strong performance to defeat Laharum by 48 points on Saturday, winning 15.13 (103) to 8.7 (55).
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Kalkee’s new recruits showed why the team could be destined to go far this season, in a pleasing opening performance on its home ground.
Lachie Exell in particular was classy, teeing up his brother and co-coach Hamish for a goal in the first half.
The Exell brothers were a class above all day, both finishing with three goals to their names.
Laharum kept with Kalkee during the first half, but some basic skill errors cost them.
The Demons kicked two late second quarter goals to reduce the margin to nine points at the half.
Demons playing coach Robbie Miller went down in the second quarter with a broken leg.
He played no further part in the game, with an ambulance taking him to hospital.
It was the same leg Miller broke two years ago and he is set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines.
Miller was lively in the first half, and his presence was missing in the third quarter, as Kalkee punished Laharum on the scoreboard.
The Demons did not manage to kick a goal in the third term, with Kalkee kicking six.
Laharum put in a better effort in the last term as bodies tired, but Kalkee was simply too good around the contest.
Kalkee co-coach Stuart Farr said it was good to see the pre-season work pay off.
“You always have that unknown with pre-season,” he said.
“It was good to put everything into practice and get the result, especially after being tested in the second quarter.
“There were a lot of new guys and the ones we brought in are smart footballers who have played a lot of football. We are only going to get better. The biggest positive is we have so much room for improvement, that’s the exciting part.
“I thought Karl Campbell in the middle was fantastic. Everyone played well.”
Hamish Exell was named best on ground for Kalkee alongside brother Lachie, Campbell and new recruit Simon Hobbs.
Farr said he wished the injured Miller all the best.
“You don‘t want to see anyone go down like that and he has been one of the better players in the league recently,” he said.
“Hopefully he can get back out there sooner rather than later.”