Kyneton’s first finals series since 2003 is over, with the Tigers knocked out of the Bendigo Football League finals in the first round.
With a big gap opening between the top four and fifth-placed Kyneton this season, the Tigers were always going to be challenged to advance past the elimination stage.
Playing Eaglehawk, they weren’t wiped off the ground, as many may have expected, losing 12.17 (89) – 9.9 (63).
The Tigers started well, leading at quarter-time, before the Hawks got going in the second term to lead by 13 points at the main break.
The Tigers didn’t let the Hawks get away with it in the third and were still in the game, trailing by only three goals going into the final break. Both sides kicked four goals in the final quarter, but Eaglehawk wasted opportunities kicking 4.8 as it extended the final margin.
Ben Weightman kicked three goals and Mitchell Scholard two for the Tigers, while the experienced Ryan Carafa and Alik Magin were named among the best.
Sean Williams kicked six goals for Eaglehawk, which will now play Sandhurst in the semi-finals on Sunday.
In a big boost for the club, caretaker coach Luke Beattie has signed on to continue for two years. Beattie took over when the club sacked Mark Adamson three-quarters of the way through the season.
