EFNL Division 4 2023: Kilsyth defeats flag rival Surrey Park to surge clear in first

Kilsyth has tightened its stranglehold on top spot of the Eastern Division 4 ladder after overrunning a flag rival on Saturday ...

KILSYTH’s grip on top spot has tightened after casting aside one of its closest flag rivals on Saturday.

The Cougars overran last year’s grand finalist Surrey Park – 9.10 (64) to 4.9 (33) – in the top-of-the-table clash played in heavy conditions, to surge six points clear in first on the Eastern league Division 4 ladder.

They boast eight wins, one loss and a draw, while Scoresby (7-3) sits second – two premiership points ahead of Surrey Park (6-3-1) in third.

Kilsyth celebrates its win on Saturday. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Kilsyth led at all changes with no less than a kick separating the pair at each interval – the ladder-leader threatening to blow the game open in the third term with an 18-point buffer before the hosts cut the deficit to just four at three-quarter time.

Kilsyth senior coach Simon Caldwell is under no illusions of his side claiming its biggest scalp of the season yet – but is expecting an injury-hit Surrey Park to rebound.

The pair drew in their Round 4 encounter.

“They’re the team that we hadn’t beaten so far and it was good to get that one ticked off,” Caldwell said.

“They did have a few out and we’ve been pretty lucky with our injuries … they’ll improve and be better for it and the conditions weren’t a true reflection of a proper game of footy, I guess.

“It was just a battle of who can take the most ground and score some goals.”

The Cougars weren’t to be denied in the final term after the Panthers’ late third-quarter revival, adding four goals to none to finish the job as ruckman Sean Currey proved instrumental in the second half.

Kilsyth ruckman Sean Currey (left) in full flight on Saturday. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Surrey Park was dealt the loss of key midfielder Ryan Kennedy in the last quarter after the earlier loss of ruckman Jacob Woodfull.

“We chucked a few things around up forward and sort of got rid of our talls and went pretty small,” Caldwell said of the last quarter.

“After (Woodfull’s exit), Sean Currey really got on top in the ruck which gave our on-ballers first-use, which on a day like that when there’s so many stoppages, it certainly helped us.”

Former Division 1 midfielder Ryan McNay showcased his higher-level experience in a best-afield showing, while fellow gun recruit Jayden Weichard nullified a tag and found plenty of the ball.

Jayden Weichard hunts the ball. Picture: Davis Harrigan

“He’s such a powerful player, six-two or six-three, and a solid boy, really big kick … we said to him it doesn’t have to be super clean and just get it on the boot,” Caldwell said of McNay.

“They (tagged) Weichard on the weekend and I think he had 30-odd touches still.”

And the coach couldn’t have been any more awe-struck by the handiwork of young gun Nathan Van Vegten, who took an almighty hanger late in the match.

“The boys have replayed it a fair few times after the game,” Caldwell said.

“I’ve said to a few people since that it’s probably one of the better marks I’ve seen at local footy – I’ve coached 15 years, played for 10 and it’s definitely one of the best I’ve seen live.

“For an 18-year-old kid, it’s pretty handy.”

Kilsyth hosts second-placed Scoresby in Round 12 while Surrey Park is at home to Forest Hill, fourth.

Surrey Park 2.4, 2.6, 4.8, 4.9 (33)

Kilsyth 3.2, 3.3, 5.6, 9.10 (64)

Surrey Park

Goals:

J. Mclaren, J. Pollock, L. Bacon, R. Falahey

Best:

J. Mundy, J. Durand, L. Bacon, L. Peters, J. Mclaren, D. Ginnane

Kilsyth

Goals:

S. Currey 2, B. Van Veen 2, D. Lamb 2, J. Weichard, N. Van Vegten, R. Goodinson

Best:

R. McNay, D. Lamb, S. Currey, B. Rae, L. Hoogstra, P. Wall