By Tara Murray
Kyneton returned to the winners list for the first time since round six in the Bendigo Football League.
Playing bottom side Castlemaine, the Tigers put in a strong, consistent four quarter performance, something that has been lacking in recent weeks.
After keeping the Magpies to one goal with the wind in the first quarter, the Tigers continued to build throughout.
In the end, they won 14.11 (95)-3.10 (28).
Tigers coach Luke Beattie said the win was reward for the hard work the group had been putting in.
“It’s nice to get back into the winners circle,” he said.
“The effort has been there, but we haven’t been able to get the results.
“The talent of the opposition has been better, which has been how most games pan out.”
Beattie said the key was getting off to a good start, which they were able to do.
He said holding the Magpies to one goal in the first quarter was a key.
“At half-time we were fairly confident as we had a good lead.
“We played consistently across all four quarters. Sometimes we’ve lacked that at times during the season.
“Even small periods have cost us games.”
Max O’Sullivan, Rhys Magin and Hamish Govan kicked three goals each for Kyneton.
Beattie said Govan, Magin, Shaun Huy and Mitchell Comben were the best, in an even performance.
“You could have made a case for anyone to be in the best.”
The Tigers win, their fourth, has them sitting seventh and four games outside the top five.
With their finals hopes all but over, Beattie said it was about concentrating on the future of the club.
“We’re just enjoying the space we are in and not taking it for granted being able to get games into the young players.
“It’s a testament for the club going forward”
“We’ll play the season out … where we end up that remains irrelevant, it’s about getting success in future seasons.”
Beattie has also announced that he will be stepping down as coach at the end of the season after four and half years to spend more time with his family.
He said it had been an honour to coach the club he played with.
“I will step away and give the players a new voice coming in,” he said.
“They will be able to take the club to that next step and I have no doubt they will be successful.
“It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do. I wanted to finish by winning a premiership, but that pails in significance to the friendships and comradery.
“I’m proud to have held that position for a long time.”
In other results, Gisborne had no trouble against Kangaroo Flat, winning 20.17 (137)-6.2 (38).
Brad Bernacki and Casey Summerfield kicked three goals each, while Matt Goodyear was named their best.
The Bulldogs remain second.
