Kees consistent

It could be a case of déjà vu all over again for Kalkee in 2019.

A year after finishing sixth on the ladder with nine wins and seven losses and booking an elimination final meeting with Harrow-balmoral, the Kees have finished sixth with eight wins and eight losses and will play an elimination final against Harrow-balmoral.

As the team’s win-loss record suggests, it has been an up and down season for Kalkee.

It started as last season ended – with a loss to the Roos.

The team rebounded to beat Rupanyup convincingly the next week but was outpointed by a single goal against Edenhopeapsley and then crunched by Laharum.

With three wins from their first four games, the Kees’ chances of playing finals appeared slim, but the team responded when the pressure was on.

Wins against finals-bound Swifts and another tough opponent in Jeparit-rainbow got the team back on track.

In the second half of the season it has been a different story – the

Kees have been good, but not good enough to overcome the top three sides. They will need to do so if they are to extend their season beyond Saturday.

While Harrow-balmoral always presents a daunting challenge, one of the biggest factors aiding Kalkee will be its consistency.

The team has clearly adopted an, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’, mentality when it comes to its line-up, sending an unchanged team on court most weeks.

Hayley Thomas and Jenna Bywaters spearhead the attack at goal shooter and goal attack respectively.

Bywaters has enjoyed an outstanding year and has been one of the team’s leading lights, with her athleticism, high motor and accurate shooting giving opposition defenders plenty of headaches.

The centre position is filled by another superb athlete – captain Millie Mcrae.

Beside Mcrae are Rianna Kuhne and Grace Lutze at the offensive and defensive wing positions respectively.

In an encouraging sign, the duo was named best on court for the Kees in their round 17 win against Jeparit-rainbow, and should provide a fascinating match-up against Harrowbalmoral’s vaunted midcourt on Saturday. Clair Mcdonald’s anticipation and vertical jump makes her an intercept threat at goal defence, while Lauren Hotker has had a solid season at goal keeper.

But while the team’s lineup has been remarkably consistent this season, it is vastly different from last year’s team.

Bywaters, Mcrae and Mcdonald were the only players who took the court in last year’s 22-goal elimination final loss to Harrow-balmoral.

So, if the Kees are to avoid an unpleasant feeling of déjà vu in this year’s finals, it will be the team’s fresh faces playing a big role.