Bendigo FL finals: Kyneton taking positive outlook for 2019 after crashing out of finals
KYNETON will spend the Bendigo Football League off-season focused on slashing its $200,000 debt after crashing out of premiership contention on Sunday.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
KYNETON will spend the Bendigo Football League off-season focused on slashing its $200,000 debt after crashing out of premiership contention on Sunday.
The Tigers secured a double chance for the first time since 1999 after finishing third, but copped a 112-point hiding from Eaglehawk and 104-point loss to Sandhurst.
BFL 2018: KYNETON’S TOM O’SULLIVAN BEATS INJURY TO REACH VFL
BFL FINALS: TIGERS WRAP UP RARE DOUBLE CHANCE
IS THIS THE GREATEST COMEBACK IN LOCAL FOOTY HISTORY?
The 24.9 (153) to 6.13 (49) semi-final loss to the Dragons spelled the end of Kyneton’s flag hopes after it entered the finals series optimistic of a premiership tilt.
“The last two weeks haven’t gone our way playing at the QEO,” president Karen O’Sullivan said.
“We didn’t size up on the paddock. The players went out with the best endeavours at heart.
“But unfortunately on the day, we just couldn’t match what was coming at us from the Bendigo sides.”
The club has started its campaign to eradicate a hefty debt which dates back to its season in recession in 2013.
O’Sullivan said the cost of several projects around the club — including powering an electronic scoreboard and upgrading netball courts — had caused the club’s debt to balloon.
“What we want to do is basically try to reduce the debt so we can go into next year with a surplus budget,” she said.
“If we can’t settle it this year, we can at least continue to reduce it as the years go by.
“We’ve got some really exciting fundraising efforts underway.”
Attracting enough players to return from recess also proved a costly exercise.
Kyneton has locked away six key signatures in its senior team and coach Luke Beattie for 2019, ensuring its starts the off-season with a sense of stability.
Captain Josh Govan, Rhys Magin, Harrison Huntley, Gareth Bowes and Billy Mahony have re-committed for another season at Kyneton Showgrounds.
“That was the mood of what (Sunday) was about,” O’Sullivan said.
“There was certainly disappointment in what we experienced as a club, but the year itself has been very successful.
“The guys (finished in) third position on the ladder and got the second chance. That hasn’t happened to the club in 20 years.
“We are proud of the achievements they have made on the field. Off the field we have got our challenges and just knowing we have got that commitment from our playing group...sends a strong message.
“We are committed and the guys are going to back it up again in a challenging time.”
O’Sullivan said the club had been buoyed by the level of community support since its debt was made public.
“It was about sharing the burden,” she said.
“A problem shared is a problem hard. It’s working for us. We are getting some really great support from different sectors of the community.
“We think we will be stronger for it going forward.”
Fintan Brazil kicked four of Kyneton’s six goals in the semi-final defeat, while Magin was a shining light.
MORE LOCAL FOOTY
EX-AFL FORWARD BAGS 10 GOALS IN HUGE FINALS EFFORT
Power House eyes premiership push
After a disappointing end to the 2024 season, Power House is aiming to be towards the pointy end of the VAFA Division 3 ladder once again. Here’s how they plan to do it after a busy off-season.
Family draws Spicer to Stars
A family connection helped Fitzroy Stars land ex-AFL forward Phoenix Spicer and coach Neville Jetta believes it can have a longer-lasting impact.