Kilmore lost its two-time league medallist but still expects to be in finals fight
Kilmore has lost several key players, including the back-to-back league medallist, but the Blues are confident they have the young talent to remain a finals force.
Northern
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Write us off at your peril, that’s the message from Kilmore president Ben Egan.
The Blues have lost several experienced players this season but still expect to remain a finals force in NFNL Division 3.
Back-to-back league best-and-fairest Chris Ryall is the biggest departure as he steps up to Division 1 with West Preston-Lakeside.
Meanwhile, Team of the Year players Steve McIntyre, Peter D’Souza and Scott Swindells, along with Keiran Moran and Kieran Barton have retired, while Jaxson Kinnear (Romsey) and Luke Chapman (KDFNL) have departed.
The top-four battle will be fierce this season with Fitzroy Stars coming down to join Laurimar, Old Eltham Collegians, Heidelberg West, Mernda and newcomers Kinglake in the finals fight.
“I know a lot of clubs have written us off, reading articles on other Div 3 teams I don’t think anyone has mentioned us as a finals threat,” Egan said.
“We’re quietly confident, yes we’ve lost experience but those were old legs and we had to change our gamestyle to a style that potentially wasn’t suited to Division 3.
“We were being swamped by quicker teams that could put pressure on us but we’ll definitely be harder to play against this year with our pressure and tackling.”
Ryall will be difficult to replace in midfield but Kilmore remains well stocked with the likes of 2021 Coaches MVP Chris Barton, Leigh Irons, Michael Fenech and Michael Marrett.
While Ryall was encouraged to leave to pursuit higher level football, star young forward Bailey Taylor-Egan re-signed despite significant interest from rival clubs.
“We encouraged and pushed Chris to make the move, in a perfect world we want to keep him, but he had goals to play VFL and playing Division 1 consistently was his path,” Egan said.
“He went with our blessing and encouragement and in terms of replacement him it’s going to have to be two or three people.
“It’s also good because it will force us to spread the load because last year the focus was on Chris.
“Bailey had a fair bit of interest from other clubs, which is understandable given the year he had last year.
“Even at the (NFNL) season launch, the comment was Kilmore has lost a few but they’ve kept Bailey so they’re still a danger.
“He proved last year that there’s no one in Division 3 that can match up with his size and athleticism, it’s just important he stays out there because that’s been a problem in the past.”
Kilmore has signed Ben Schraven (Wallan), Mitch Portoglou (Western Rams) and Aaron Speake (Melton Centrals) for 2023.
Portoglou was a standout for the winless Rams last season and will fill McIntyre’s shoes in defence, while Schraven will bolster the Blues midfield.
With the loss of experience, Kilmore will trust in its homegrown talent.
Egan is excited by the club’s young prospects and expects several to become permanent senior players this season.
Caden Fitzpatrick, Ben Doyle, Cole Isbister, Bailey and Ethan Derrick and Mark Cameron will be relied upon to step up.
“Caden will be our No.1 ruck, he’s really athletic and has a massive leap on him.
“It’s like two recruits because he takes the No.1 ruck, which means Mick McCulloch can play forward, giving us that big body target in the goalsquare we have missed and taking another top defender away from Bailey and Grant Paxton.
“Ben Doyle is only 17, he’s probably been our best player through the practice matches.
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“Cole Isbister is 18 and built like a Mack truck, he’s probably close to the most solid, strongest guy in the league and he’s only 18, which is awesome.
“Bailey and Ethan, they’ve probably played 20-30 senior games now and are looking to take it to the next level.
“Mark Cameron too, he is only 19 and he’ll hold down centre half-back and go into the ruck for us.”
Kilmore kicks off the season with a trip to grand finalists Laurimar in Round 1 before hosting newcomers Kinglake in their home opener on April 22.
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