South Morang too powerful for NFL Division 3 premiership rival Kilmore
South Morang has sent a timely reminder to its NFL Division 3 premiership rivals with an impressive win over fellow contender Kilmore.
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South Morang launched itself back into the NFL Division 3 premiership discussion on Saturday.
Despite reaching the grand final in 2019 the Lions were seen as possible sliders in 2021, but a rousing 44-point win over Kilmore is a timely reminder of the club’s quality.
Coach Gary Hall said the club’s depth was feeding internal competition and improving on-field performance.
“There’s a good feeling around the club, since the start of the year we would have had 50-60 players train,” he said.
“We’ve got plenty of depth, the reserves are really strong, and there’s a dozen blokes missing out on a game at the moment.
“Finals are a different story, we’ve got to get there first, so we’ve got to win these early games.
“You’re not really going to know until you’ve played everyone but at the minute everyone is fit and firing and hopefully it continues.”
Only inaccuracy in front of goal stopped South Morang from recording a bigger victory as it finished 11.19 (85) to 5.11 (41) at Mill Park Lakes Reserve.
Liam Failla’s move into midfield this season is paying dividends, named in the best in every match this season, topped by a best-on-ground performance against Kilmore.
Now fully recovered from a knee reconstruction, Tye Hall has also been named in the best in every outing.
“It was our first home game for the year, so the boys were looking forward to it,” coach Hall said.
“I had Liam in the backline the last few years but he’s stepped up his fitness and we’ve given him a crack in the midfield and he’s doing really well.
“Missing one game with an ACL, Tye’s loving the opportunity and his body is feeling right.
“He’s a leader, blokes like Tye and Jake Potter, the young boys really look up to them.”
Failla, Potter, Alex Colaidis and Joshua Lansfield all booted two goals for South Morang.
Grant Paxton, Leigh Irons and Caden Fitzpatrick were Kilmore’s best, while Marcus Webb was the leading goalscorer with two.
The Lions now turn their attention to a home match with heated rival Mernda who are coming off a 23-point defeat to Laurimar.
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Hall said ladder position and form went out the window when the two clubs clashed and South Morang would have some extra motivation.
“It doesn’t really matter about ladder positions when you play Mernda, it’s a hard rivalry game,” he said.
“Next week we’ve got the 2011 premiership anniversary, there’s a reunion, they’ll be a big crowd and I’m expecting a hard, close game.”
Kilmore will look to bounce back against Heidelberg West at Clancy Reserve.
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