EFNL Division 1 2024: Kane Keppel kicks 10 goals in Park Orchards’ demolition job

Park Orchards’ return to the Eastern league’s Division 1 couldn’t have been scripted any better, as a former VFL Blue filled his boots in a demolition job of a rival.

Kane Keppel takes a diving mark for Park Orchards. Picture: Stuart Milligan

What a way to return to Division 1.

Park Orchards’ 25.12 (162) to 11.11 (77) rout of Mooroolbark on Saturday was spearheaded by Kane Keppel starring with 10 goals.

It was a career-best day out in front of the big sticks for the strong-bodied swingman, who previously played state league footy for the Northern Blues.

“By far – I think it’s almost double (my previous best),” Keppel said of his 10-goal haul.

“It was a few in each quarter and by half-time I was on about four or five.

“It got to the fourth quarter and I was on seven and the boys really started looking for me and helping me, so it was definitely a team effort.”

Hitting double figures had been “the last thing” on the former Eastern Ranges talent’s mind, Keppel said, who was appointed Sharks co-captain ahead of this season.

“You go into half-time and you have a chat with the boys, talk about game-plan and it’s in the back of your mind,” he said.

“It’s not until your teammates come up to you and say ‘You’re on here, you’re a couple of goals off the 10’ and then it starts sinking in once it comes to the dying stages of the last quarter.”

As for how the 10th major rolled around?

“I wasn’t in the best position, but J-Mac (Josh McAuliffe) got a mark about 70 out and I had a bit of space in front of me, and I ran onto it and took a mark,” Keppel said.

“I was quite lucky, and the boys really looked for me in the fourth quarter – I love the blokes I play with and the camaraderie we’ve got.”

Kane Keppel during his VFL stay. Pic: Michael Klein

Leading by just four points at quarter-time, the Sharks increased the margin to 33 at the half and 67 at the final change.

“We were getting bullied a bit on the inside of the midfield which didn’t allow us to get a run-on (early),” Keppel said.

“We got back to our flowing style of footy and really got on top on the inside and that allowed us to convert at the other end.

“It was a bit of a slog in the first quarter – Mooroolbark really put it to us.”

Teenagers Jacob Vippond and Liam Webb debuted for the club, with the pair cracking in on-ball and resting forward.

“He (Vippond) is an absolute whippet – the speed he’s got for 19 years old, he was really exciting and definitely one of the players that helped us move the ball in the fast travel that we wanted to,” Keppel said.

Keppel said of Webb: “He was a superstar out there – if I was that good at 17, that would’ve been good back in the day knowing you’re that comfortable coming through.”

The co-captain declared the Sharks felt they had “something to prove” this season after suffering relegation from the league’s Premier Division at the end of 2023, despite five wins.

Two sides dropped to Division 1, with Park Orchards nudged out by South Croydon on percentage.

“We felt like that was our division and that’s where we belonged,” Keppel said.

“It was a bit frustrating, but we definitely feel like we’ve got something to prove to show we’re up for the best level.

“At the same time, it’s one step at a time, one game at a time if we’re to raise that premiership flag and get back up there again.”