EFNL Division 4 2024: Kilsyth holds Forest Hill goalless in 139-point rout
Kilsyth kept its opponent goalless in a rout on Saturday to close the gap on Division 4’s best defensive outfit – but a power forward’s milestone will have to wait at least another fortnight.
Eastern
Don't miss out on the headlines from Eastern. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Kilsyth coach Simon Caldwell has lauded a relentless defensive effort on the weekend, while a goalkicking milestone lingers.
The Cougars held Forest Hill goalless in Saturday’s 19.29 (143) to 0.4 (4) Eastern Division 4 victory at Forest Hill Reserve.
Kilsyth, third with an 8-3 record, sits a slight second in the competition for scores against (619), with Scoresby (second, 8-3) holding the mantle at 611.
Caldwell said that mantle shot to the front of mind as Saturday’s match wore on, as a goalless game to the opposition grew likelier.
“It wasn’t spoken about at half-time,” Caldwell said.
“Going in, I think we were second behind Scoresby (for scores against), so we thought let’s make that a defensive effort.
“They (Forest Hill) still had plenty of clearances, so the defensive effort (was commendable) to be able to keep them goalless on that ground.
“It’s certainly the first time I can remember coaching in 15 years that a team hasn’t kicked a goal … and it’s only the second win I’ve had there (Forest Hill Reserve).”
Ryan Goodinson filled his boots with six majors while Jarrod O’Neill finished with three. The coach also highlighted emerging talent Cooper Foley.
“He’s a bull at a gate, and it’s only his second full year of footy,” Caldwell said.
Meanwhile, the 1000-goal milestone eluded Justin Van Unen for a second consecutive week.
On 998 career majors, the former ‘The Recruit’ star missed some opportunities on Saturday.
With a bye this weekend, the well-travelled and decorated key forward’s next chance will be against current ladder-leader Chirnside Park on July 20 at Kimberley Reserve.
“He had some chances and he’s getting a few more opportunities, but we’re not reliant on him,” Caldwell said.
“We’ve got other forwards kicking goals – to not kick one (on Saturday) and (the team) to kick 19, it’s a good sign for us.”
It was an even contribution the coach couldn’t have been happier with.
“It’s probably the first four-quarter performance (of the season),” Caldwell said.
“We’ve had a pretty big focus in the past couple of weeks in the back half of the year of what we’ve got to get better at.
“That’s team play, and not (being) reliant on certain players, and I think we’re pretty even.
“I look at our Premier Data stats and I think we had 15 of the top 17 players on the ground, and that was the positive for us.
“We’ve got to have 15 to 20 contributors each week.”
Grand final wins and a shock or two
Finals accelerated in local footy with plenty of grand final winners as elsewhere there were stunning results as teams looked to qualify for the decider. Here are the talking points from Saturday’s football.
Ex-VFL man wins Vermont’s top job
The Eastern league’s most successful club has wasted no time appointing its next senior coach following the exit of Adam Parker, with a former state league assistant taking the reins.