Kilmore overcomes Old Eltham Collegians, cements NFL Div 3 finals spot

Under the pump at half-time, Kilmore responded in the second half to beat Old Eltham Collegians and cement its place in the NFL Division 3 top four.

Leigh Irons in action for Kilmore. Pictures: Nathan McNeill.

Kilmore cemented its place in the NFL Division 3 top four with a hard-fought nine-point win over Old Eltham Collegians.

The Blues had to do it the hard way, coming from seven points down at half-time to secure a critical win that now puts two games between them and the Turtles in fifth.

After starting the season 1-2, Kilmore has now won four straight and sits third on percentage.

A commanding 70-point win over fellow finals contender Heidelberg West reignited the Blues’ season but Saturday’s 11.5 (71) to 9.8 (62) win was more gritty.

Blues coach Nathan Phillips was pleased with his team’s ability to turn the game around in the second half.

Kilmore players celebrate a goal. Pictures: Nathan McNeill.

“(Old Eltham) play a pretty aggressive brand of footy and got on top of us in the early stages,” he said.

“Credit to our boys to be able to fight back and register a hard-fought win.

“We knew we needed to play a little bit smarter and our decision making wasn’t where it needed to be.

“We needed to control the ball and try to rebut their chaos style of footy with our own (style).”

Defender Grant Paxton was named best-on-ground for his performance, while ruckman Michael McCulloch was dominant at the stoppages.

“Grant played down back and I don’t think he lost a contest all day,” Phillips said.

“When he was the last defender left he kept his feet all the time, disposed of the ball efficiently and we were rapt with his game.

“Michael won the hitouts quite convincingly, he fought hard all day but was really important in the last five minutes, dropping the ball down at his feet to create more stoppages.”

Bailey Derrick was the only major casualty from the match, needing surgery to repair a split webbing on his hand but is not expected to miss a match.

The Blues could also be boosted by the return of key tall Caden Fitzpatrick and defender Jaden Smith.

Jeremy Murphy booted a game-high four goals for Old Eltham to be named the Turtles’ best along with Corey Ray and Jacey Winter.

Kilmore can put more space between it and the chasing pack this week when it travels to Lalor.

The Bloods have been a far harder nut to crack this season, coming within seven points of Heidelberg West last week.

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The Blues triumphed by 55 points at Clancy Reserve in Round 2 but Phillips knows his team is in for a tough test.

“They’re much improved, we’ve played them once already and they were much better than they were perceived to be,” he said.

“We definitely won’t be taking them lightly, especially at their home ground.”

Old Eltham Collegians faces the tough task of ending South Morang’s undefeated start to the season as it looks to keep its finals hopes alive.