Football
29 July, 2025
Kaniva overcome spirited Lakers
Kaniva Leeor United were able to reverse the result of their previous matchup against Taylors Lake, registering a 114-62 victory on Saturday in round 15 of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
Playing at Taylors Lake, the Cougars kicked 16.18 (113) to the Lakers’ 9.8 (62).
Kaniva Leeor United got the better of Taylors Lake in the contest early but struggled to execute in front of goal.
Conversely, Taylors Lake made the most of their opportunities as they went up 21-19 at the first break.
The Cougars’ disposals and in-field kicking against gifted them shots at goal in the second, but some key misses and decisive passages of play from the Lakers kept it tight, with Kaniva leading 46-34 at half-time.
The third quarter saw KLU make good of their forward entries, kicking seven goals, but three goals to the Lakers kept them within reach as the Cougars entered the last break up 89-53.
The Cougars maintained their stronghold on the game in the final term to be 51-point winners.
Lochie Eats and Jock Maddern were two of the standouts for the Cougars, both dominating in the contest at half-forward, while the Lakers’ Bray Cullinan and Billy Finnigan impressed in the losing effort.
Maddern and Jacob Eats each scored five goals for Kaniva, while Alex Baker kicked three for Taylors Lake.
Jonno Hicks, coach of Kaniva Leeor, identified the side’s goalkicking as the biggest challenge for his charges in the tight first half.
“It was a bit disappointing we couldn’t finish in front of goal but it felt like we were dominating a lot of the play,” Hicks said.
“They (Taylors Lake) really made the most of their opportunities going forward and we struggled to get goals on the scoreboard.
“Our process wasn’t wrong; our finishing just needed tidying up so there wasn’t too much to change at half-time.
"It was just encouraging the guys to stick to the method.
“Full credit to Taylors, they really pushed us in that first half and really made the most of their inside 50s.
“Luckily, in the second half we hit the ball a lot more effectively and that third quarter really set us up."
With the return of some players, Hicks credited his backline’s performance.
“Our back six looked a lot more solid this week with the regular guys back in, which was fantastic,” Hicks said.
“I think our defence did really well, winning one-on-ones, and our spread from the backline was really important.
“We welcomed back in Kyle Kuchel and Patrick Munn and they really made a difference in our backline this week, which was great.”