KILMORE Football Club fell painstakingly short of a mammoth comeback in the Riddell District Football League Under 18 grand final at Lancefield on Sunday.
The Blues trailed by more than 10 goals in the early stages of the third term before clawing their way back into the match
with five unanswered goals, to reduce the margin to 20 points at the final break.
Heading into the final term with the momentum, the Blues continued to surge, kicking the first three goals of the quarter.
The Hawks had a number of chances to put the match beyond doubt but missed opportunities in front of goal.
Kilmore hit the lead late in the quarter before Woodend/Hesket edged back in front with just minutes to play to hold on for a six-point win.
Matt Swindells was superb for Kilmore in the midfield and claimed the best on ground medal. The pacey onballer provided plenty of run and carry through the corridor and drove the Blues into attack on numerous occasions.
Rhys Way worked tirelessly across half-forward, while Brad Corneille stood tall at centre-half-back with his unwavered attack on the football.
Ruckman Jackson Renton provided a solid target when he pushed forward and finished with four goals, while Brett Maher, Brad Dawson and Aaron Jackson kicked two goals each.
The Blues, under the guidance of coach Nathan Phillips, have been a major force in the under 18 competition in the past two seasons, narrowly losing the preliminary final last year.
SCOREBOARD
Woodend/Hesket 6.1 12.3 15.5 16.10 (106) d
Kilmore 1.4 6.7 11.9 15.10 (100)
Goals: (W) M. Sawyer 4; R. Poposek, V. Braddick 2; D. Toman, A. Hughes, T. Walker, T. Kindred, R. Ceminara, J. Stembridge.
Best: J. Romeo-Mutch, T. Walker, V. Braddick, D. Reid, H. Huntley, A. Korinfsky.
Goals: (K) J. Renton 4; B. Maher, B. Dawson, A. Jackson 2; R. Way, R. Rowe, J. Steele, T. Clancy, M. Swindells.
Best: M. Swindells, R. Way, B. Corneille, J. Renton, D. Smith, B. Douglas.
Magpies outclassed
Wallan Reserves' season came crashing down at the hands of Melton Central on Sunday.
Centrals kicked away to a four-goal lead during the second term, before the rejuvenated Magpies closed to within 10 points at the final change.
Despite taking momentum into the final term, the Magpies failed to get the ball deep forward in the last quarter, as Centrals controlled the play and kicked away to win by five goals.
Jamie Mastaeller was brilliant for the Magpies with the small forward kicking five goals. Brenton Hanson worked hard across half-forward, while Steven Williams and onballer Scott Hamilton battled tirelessly.
Melton Central midfielder Allister Hill was awarded the medal for best afield.
SCOREBOARD
Melton Central 2.5 6.10 8.11 12.14 (86) d
Wallan 2.1 3.2 7.7 8.8 (56)
Goals: (M) R. Scott, R. Partridge 2; A. Hill, M. Baker, P. Scott, R. Nelson, G. Sproule, A. Higgins, D. Pickett, C. Mullins.
Best: A. Hill, S, Dean. R. Partridge, D. Parkinson, P. Scott, M. Martin.
Goals: (W) J. Mastaeller 5; D. Galea, T. Tomsky, S. Standley.
Best: J. Mastaeller, B. Hanson, S. Williams, S. Hamilton, D. Hickey, A. Buller.






