Having won an eight-point game with flying colours at the weekend, Kyneton is facing another, just as important, game this week in the Bendigo Football League.
With four teams fighting for two finals spots, every win is vital for the Tigers on the run home.
On Saturday, they moved into fourth spot and ahead of Kangaroo Flat with a hard-fought 10.10 (70)-5.16 (46) win.
The Tigers led at every break and their ability to win the contested ball in close proved important – as did finding better options in the forward line.
Tigers coach Luke Beattie knew a win against the Kangaroos was integral to their final hopes.
“The boys started well and I knew they were there to play,” he said.
“The intensity and the contested ball was a main element in the game we controlled to give our forwards first opportunity.
“Nathan Thompson was the best of the forwards, kicking three goals in conditions that many people thought wouldn’t suit a key forward like him.”
While Thompson was a force in front of goal, many others struggled. The Tigers won the game despite having one less scoring shot.
“It was difficult to kick goals,” Beattie said. “Guys weren’t making the distance from 30 to 40 metres out.
“We were able to get the ball in more dangerous areas, 10 to 15 metres in front of goal, and able to get handballs out to our smalls forwards.”
For more pictures of Saturday’s game, CLICK HERE
The Govan brothers, Josh and Hamish, were among the best for the Tigers, along with Nick Higginson, Max Sullivan and Rhys Magin.
The Tigers this week face sixth-placed Eaglehawk.
Beattie said Ethan Foreman and Michael Rainey, who missed Saturday’s match, would be assessed during the week and could possibly return.
Star Ben Weightman is a couple of weeks away after doing a hamstring.
“It’s a week by week proposition,” Beattie said on securing a finals berth.
“The Eaglehawk game is an eight-point game. If we win, we go two games ahead of them … if we lose, we are equal on points and it’ll be a real fight. If we win we can set ourselves for finals, if not it could be a challenge.”
Eaglehawk enters the game on the back of a big win against Gisborne.
It was all the Hawks as they easily accounted for the Bulldogs 17.11 (113)-4.6 (30).
James Fraser was the only multiple goal-scorer for the Bulldogs.
Trent Crosbie and Pat Trotta were named best in the loss.
Meanwhile, in A-grade netball, Kyneton drew with Kangaroo Flat and Gisborne defeated Eaglehawk.
The win moves the Bulldogs into the top five, while the Tigers are two points outside the top five.
