Kilmore puts faith in young squad to repeat and improve in 2021

Kilmore was the surprise packet of NFL Division 3 last season and the Blues will trust their young squad to repeat and improve in 2021.

Kilmore players celebrate a goal. Picture: Nathan McNeill

Kilmore will back it’s young squad to repeat and improve on its 2019 showing.

The Blues surprised many with a 10-win season – including a 35-point triumph over premier Panton Hill – and third-placed finish in the home-and-away season.

Leigh Irons and Chris Ryall’s outstanding seasons were recognised by finishing equal fourth in the league best-and-fairest count, while Jeremy Topham earned a top-10 spot.

Irons, Ryall, Topham, Jaxson Kinnear and Stephen McIntyre were all named in the NFL Division 3 Team of the Year.

“We’re content with where our list is, we’ve got a good group of young kids and some good older heads to lead them,” Kilmore coach Nathan Phillips said.

Kilmore and Heidelberg West players compete for the ball. Picture: Nathan McNeill

“I don’t think we need too much, this will be the third year where we’ve had minimal change, and they’re maturing in their footy together.

“There might be one or two that might shift but everyone is pretty content to stay albeit we’re working with a lower salary cap.

“Everyone has got on board with that, which makes it easier, and we’ll look to add one or two – maybe three – in the next week or two.”

Phillips said Jayden Smith was ready to take his footy to another level and forecast some positional changes in 2021.

“We were able to get one practice match in and Jayden really impressed in that,” he said.

“We made a few positional changes and we liked what we say against Wallan, so I’m looking forward to a few guys playing a different role, which I think will make us better as well.”

However, an elimination final defeat still lingers 12 months later.

South Morang proved a bogey team last season, getting the better of the Blues in all three meetings, and Phillips said his players were looking forward to setting the record straight.

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“I know it’s over 12 months but the boys are still stinging a bit,” he said.

“The way we played our footy was a representation of us, so the boys are pretty keen to get back into it.

“We’ve got back into unofficial, small group stuff, we set up some training groups at the start of COVID and the boys have picked up from where they left off with that.”

Kilmore faces a tough season opener, away to Laurimar, on April 10.