Football
26 May, 2026
Kees hold off Swifts surge
Kalkee’s senior football side maintained their position in the top five after recording a 12.9 (81) to 9.12 (66) victory over the Swifts in round seven on Saturday May 23.
In a match played at Stawell, the Kees dominated the early going, booting five goals, including one to debutant Jasper Beddison, to take a 30-14 lead by the first break.
The visitors continued to capitalise on their forward 50 opportunities to extend their lead to 26 (56-30) at half-time.
But the Swifts upped the pressure in the second half, getting the better of territory and possession, kicking five third-quarter goals to reduce the deficit to seven at the final break.
A hard-fought final quarter saw both sides struggle to get effective opportunities up forward as Kalkee ultimately held on to win by 15.
Matt Nield and Ben Lawson each kicked three goal for the Kees while Tanner Smith and Jye Walter had two each.
For the Swifts, Liam Scott, Anthony Munkara and Thomas Motlop kicked two apiece.
Among the best for the Kees were Matt Nield, Matt Magee, Louis Papst, Karl Campbell, as well as Zavier Hobbs, who celebrated his 200th game.
The Swifts’ best performers included Liam Scott, Scott Carey, Thomas Motlop, Kobe Lowe and Anthony Munkara.
Kalkee coach Clint Burdett said the game was a tale of two halves, admitting he was relieved to leave with the win.
“First half was completely different to the second half,” Burdett said.
“We largely had it on our own terms with our ball movement and how we wanted to play, which is what we really focused on, especially considering the last couple of weeks have been pretty tough.
“But to Stawell’s credit, in the second half they came out and shut us down, got themselves back in the game and stopped us from running a little bit.
“They applied a lot more pressure, which probably caused us to fumble a little bit and slowed us down.”
“We just did enough to hang on at the end of the game, and we’re pretty happy to come away with the four points.”
The Kalkee coach praised the ongoing form of Matt Nield and Matt McGee, while applauding Mitch Mills for stepping into the ruck.
“Matt Nield played really well and finished with three,” Burdett said.
“Matt McGee had another great game down back and has been having a terrific year.
“Even Mitch Mills came in and played in the ruck.
“That was his first senior game for the year and he was terrific.”