Kilmore president Leigh Irons discusses the Two Blues’ expectations, preparations

31 for 31: A handful of “A-Grade type” recruits, including a VFL talent and a tinge of jealousy is fuelling Kilmore’s ambition to play finals in 2025.

Kilmore players celebrate a goal. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“A-Grade type” recruits and a tinge of jealousy is fuelling Kilmore’s drive to make NFNL Division 3 finals.

The Blues have had a strong off-season, welcoming several new players headlined by club junior and former Northern Bullants VFL talent Jared Crosbie.

Senior players have also been driven after seeing their reserve grade teammates celebrate premiership success last year.

It’s all combined to produce a renewed optimism at JJ Clancy Reserve after missing finals for the past two seasons.

The Two Blues finished seventh last year, three points behind fifth-placed Epping.

Chris Barton and Jacob Smith contest the ruck. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Kye Maher tries to take a hanger on Max Brown. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Critically, they lost four games under three goals, including a shock defeat to Lalor.

Newly elected president, and club great, Leigh Irons said the off-season recruiting had been aimed at finding players that could help turnaround those narrow losses.

“Jared (Crosbie) comes back and just pushed the boys to a new standard,” Irons said.

“It’s been good to see him not be happy with a Div 3 standard, he’s shown us what a Division 1 standard is and is taking the boys along with him.

“Jesse (Taylor) has come down from Charlton, where he won a senior best-and-fairest, and he’ll add some real speed and skills of half-back.

“Josh (Alford) didn’t play last year but previous to that he was at Seymour in the Goulburn Valley and in his last season he played a couple of games for North Melbourne’s VFL team.

“We were a really even team last year but we needed to bring a couple of A-grade type players, blokes that can turn a game.

“They’re impact players that can take you from losing a game by two or three goals to winning a game by two or three goals.”

Liam Monaghan gets a kick for Kilmore. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Crosbie (North Heidelberg), who will be full-time at Kilmore, and Alford (time off) will bolster the midfield.

Caleb Newport will strengthen the forward line, offering support to Ethan Derrick and Team of the Year gun Bailey Taylor-Egan, while Ryan Johnson strengthens the backline.

The club’s depth is strong after claiming the reserve grade flag last year.

The Two Blues were undefeated until a shock semi-final defeat to Mernda before responding and turning the tables on the Demons in the big dance, winning the club’s first NFNL title.

Irons, who coached the team, said the win was in turn motivating the senior group.

“You can see, the senior players were obviously over the moon for us but you could see how jealous they were,” he said.

“They’re using that to fuel their pre-season, seeing us have the success we had and how the whole community bought into it.

“If we can replicate that at 2pm, I think we’re in a good position to at least put ourselves in the mix.

“After Fitzroy Stars, I thinks from second to sixth or seventh is so open.”

Last season’s success rolled into the off-season, not only on the recruiting front.

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Kilmore will return to the under-19s competition after a one-year hiatus, while it will field a women’s team for the first time.

Andy Stewart, who coached Kilmore’s last senior premiership in the Riddell District league in 2001, will lead the team, which features his daughters.

The Two Blues will kick off their 2025 campaign when it hosts Lalor on April 5 before a Round 2 bye.

A clash against Heidelberg West follows and then Kinglake visits Clancy Reserve with the club eyeing a fast start.