Football
12 August, 2025
Dominant third quarter sparks Cougars' win over Kees
Kaniva Leeor United went one step closer to securing a men's senior football finals spot after a strong third quarter helped them defeat Kalkee on Saturday in round 17 of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
The victory caps off an excellent week for the Cougars, who earlier this week announced that Lochie and Jacob Eats have re-signed for the 2026 season.
The final score was Kaniva Leeor United 14.9 (93) to Kalkee 7.5 (47).
Playing at Kalkee, the visitors got off to a fast start with Lochie Eats pouncing off a free ball from a marking contest to score a goal in the first 20 seconds.
Lochie and brother Jacob scored two more goals in the next six minutes to go up 18-0, before the Kees fought back to enter the first break with a 20-18 lead.
Little separated the teams in a hard-fought second quarter as the game was tied up at 33-33 at halftime.
The Cougars entered the second half as they started the first, as the Eats brothers kicked two goals in the opening three minutes.
The visitors quickly assumed control of the game, booting eight goals in the third quarter to lead 85-39 at the final break.
Strong defensive efforts from both sides contributed to a low-scoring final quarter, Kaniva Leeor emerging as 46-point victors.
Lochie Eats was a constant threat all game for the Cougars, finishing with seven goals, with Riley Vivian and Tyler Roos providing a strong impact up forward and in the middle of the pitch.
For Kalkee, Deacan Campbell and Isaiah Adams were two of the better performers, while Ben Lawson led the home side with three goals.
Jonno Hicks, coach of Kaniva Leeor, credited a determined Kalkee side for their defence before his side capitalised in the third quarter.
"We started like a house on fire with three goals in the first few minutes, but then they (Kalkee) pushed numbers back and clogged our forward half," Hicks said.
"We struggled to get clean entries into our forward 50; it was very contested, and their intercept marking was really good.
"So the first half was a real grind, and then we managed to come out after halftime and change a couple of things.
"Our forward movement got a lot better, and that really set up the game for us that third quarter."
Acknowledging an even contribution from the team, including their back six, Hicks identified the impressive performances of Roos and Vivian.
"Tyler Roos on the ball was great," Hicks said.
"He's such a good ball user and managed to get forward and hit the scoreboard a couple of times."
"I thought Riley Vivian, for a young kid who has only played about eight games of seniors, is really coming on in our forward line, which is fantastic."
Hicks also spoke highly of the contribution the Eats brothers have had on their season, as they have signed on to play again in 2026.
"Obviously, they've come in this year and had quite a strong impact," Hicks said.
"They're fantastic people, and I can't speak highly enough of them and their family, having them involved.
"It's great to know they're on board again for next year.
"They're invested in our group and putting a lot of effort into this year, and they're fantastic people and great footballers too."