EFNL Division 4 2023: Kilsyth’s Mackinley Ayton stars in 66-point win over Forest Hill

A 19-year-old was “clearly best on ground” as Kilsyth put finals-fancy Forest Hill to the sword in the EFNL’s Division 4 on Saturday, in the club’s best start to a season in years.

A young gun finished best afield, a small forward filled his boots and a pair of star recruits lit it up as Kilsyth romped to its best start to a season in years.

The Eastern league Division 4 club sits on top of the ladder following a 66-point rout of Forest Hill on Saturday, winning 16.14 (110) to 6.8 (44).

The result lifts the Cougars to a 2-0 record – their best start to a campaign since 2018.

Leading the way on Saturday was 19-year-old Mackinley Ayton, finding plenty of the ball while snaring three goals.

The former North Ringwood junior crossed to the Cougars at the end of 2021 and has quickly made his name as a crafty on-baller, winning Kilsyth’s rising star award last season.

Mackinley Ayton. Picture: Kilsyth FC

“He was quite clearly best on ground – he would’ve had 10 more touches (than anyone) … he would’ve had nearly 40 possessions and kicked three from the midfield,” Kilsyth senior coach Simon Caldwell said.

“He has been one of our better on-ballers … nobody really knows much about him but this year he’s had a massive pre-season.”

Ryan Goodinson led the goal kicking with six, with the coach declaring the small forward had “picked up from where he left off” last season, when he bagged 59 majors to finish third in the comp.

“Not many small forwards lead the goal kicking – he’s a bloody good player and a very smart player,” Caldwell said.

Meanwhile, gun midfield recruits Jayden Weichard and Ryan McNay featured among the best.

Weichard crossed from Mooroolbark at the end of last season while McNay switched from Lilydale, as the pair showcased their higher-division experience.

“Weichard the week before was our second-highest possession-winner, but was probably a bit wasteful with it and McNay was a bit quiet and hurt himself and didn’t play the full game (in Round 1),” Caldwell said.

“Both of them were probably disappointed with their efforts (in Round 1) and both were fantastic on the weekend.”

The Cougars raced out to a 35-point quarter-time lead before extending the margin to 60 at the final change.

Caldwell said despite his side’s comfortable Round 1 win over Croydon North-MLOC, Saturday’s showing made amends for a “pretty poor” performance to open the season.

“We were pretty close to full-strength and they (Forest Hill) were missing a few … but I said to the boys afterwards that I was really happy with how we went,” Caldwell said.

“It was a fairly strong four or five goal breeze and we had that in the first quarter.

“From the whole group it (the result) gives us confidence – I don’t feel we played the way we wanted to play the week before against Croydon North – I thought we were pretty poor to be honest.

“(Saturday), I wouldn’t call it a ‘statement’, but from the guys’ point of view it proved to themselves that if Forest Hill are going to be in that top echelon of finals, to win by 11 goals is a bloody good start.”

Kilsyth 7.1 9.3 12.11 16.14 (110)

Forest Hill 1.2 3.4 3.5 6.8 (44)

Kilsyth

Goal kickers:

R. Goodinson 6, M. Ayton 3, S. Currey 2, J. Arthur, D. Lamb, S. Clarke, H. Daniell, J. O’Neill

Best players:

M. Ayton, D. Lamb, R. Goodinson, J. Weichard, R. McNay, B. Van Veen

Forest Hill

Goal kickers:

J. Fisher 2, D. Pell 2, M. Hanegraaf, B. Wylde

Best players:

D. Simpson, N. Bradley, S. Naylor, A. Wheeler, T. Burger, W. Stoneham