Football
22 May, 2025
Kaniva scrape by determined Kalkee
Kaniva Leeor United recorded their third win of the season in a tight victory over Kalkee in round six of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
Playing at Kalkee, the final score was 14.10 (94) to 14.6 (90).
The home side shot out of the blocks to lead 32-16 at quarter-time, before Kaniva made it a 10-point game at half-time.
A 39-point third quarter from Kaniva gave them a four-point lead before they held out a fast-finishing Kalkee.
Josh Clayton and Lochie Eats were the best players from Kaniva while Aiden Richardson and Matt Nield were the best for Kalkee.
Richardson led all scorers with eight goals, while Jacob Eats booted seven for Kaniva.
Jonno Hicks, coach of Kaniva, credited the team for their improved ball control following Kalkee’s strong start.
“The first half, Kalkee were really good, they intercepted a lot of ball going inside our forward 50,” Hicks said.
“We just wanted to get a little bit smarter about moving the ball forward, and our set-up in front of the ball had to get a bit better.
“So that third quarter, yeah, it really set the game up for us.”
Hicks acknowledged some pivotal marks as being crucial in holding off a relentless Kalkee side.
“We were a couple of goals up with only a few minutes left, so Kalkee came pressing really hard at the finish,” Hicks said.
“We had a couple of big marks down the line that were key to us in the last quarter that helped slow things down.“
Crucial to the win was one of Kaniva’s recruits, Josh Clayton.
“Josh Clayton in the middle of the ground, he's new to the club, he was really impressive and it was his first game,” Hicks said.
The win keeps Kaniva at sixth on the ladder, while Kalkee remains 10th without a win.