“The sides we’ve played so far have mostly been competitive for a half, but we’ll prepare this week for a really tough game.”
The Kees were never threatened in Saturday’s win against Rupanyup, kicking with the wind in the first term to explode to a 4.6 (30) to 0.1 (1) lead at quarter time.
While Tanner Smith had been a focal point in Kalkee’s forward line, kicking 21 goals in his first two matches, he played a supporting role at the weekend, kicking one goal but helping to manufacture numerous others.
“We had nine goal-kickers across the board, which is good – it gives us other avenues to score from,” Burdett said.
“Obviously Tanner dominated the first two games we played. The conditions weren’t favourable for big guys at the weekend, but he created a lot of contests and brought the footy to ground, and our smaller guys were able to capitalise on it.”
Paddy Mills starred in the midfield for the home side, while Jye Walter’s forward pressure was important and Luke Byrne rucked strongly all afternoon in the absence of Doug Grining.
For the Panthers, half-forward Adrian Rose and defenders Daniel Weetra and Blake Downer were among the best.
The Kees will take on a Kaniva-Leeor United team in red-hot form, after the Cougars beat previously undefeated Laharum 13.6 (84) to 5.13 (43) at the weekend.
With Lachlan Bates kicking three goals off a wing in a best-on-ground performance and the likes of midfielder Tyler Roos, defender Jock Maddern and ruckman Hamish Bennett all playing strongly, the Cougars jumped to an eight-goal lead at half time before fighting off a Laharum comeback attempt.
Natimuk United posted a 20-point win against Swifts to keep itself in the finals mix.
In a low-scoring contest the Rams led by 16 points at half time but saw their lead trimmed to four points at the final change, with Baggies Liam Scott, Brett Hargreaves and Bourke Nicholls playing well.
But the likes of captain Kaiden Sudholz, Will Kennedy and Zach Smith lifted when their team needed them to, pushing the final score out to 10.9 (69) to 7.7 (49).
Noradjuha-Quantong maintained its perch atop the ladder by beating Edenhope-Apsley 19.11 (125) to 8.9 (57).
The Bombers led by a modest 10 points at quarter time but hit their straps in the second term, kicking seven goals to earn a comfortable lead that was never threatened.
Dylan Shelley and Judah Hobbs were a strong double act in the forward line, kicking 13 goals between them, while ruckman Jack Vague had a customarily strong outing.
Marcus McIntyre was a clear standout for the Saints, kicking four of their eight goals for the afternoon.
A huge last quarter was enough to give Pimpinio a 47-point road win against Taylors Lake.
The Tigers trailed by 10 points at half time and four at the final change, but stormed home with 10.3 to 2.0 in the last term to win 20.14 (134) to 12.15 (87).
Ruckman Matt Healy starred for the Tigers while Nick Groves kicked seven goals and Jason Westley had four.
For the Lakers, Alex Baker kicked six and Patrick Lindsey helped put his side in a winning position until the final quarter.
While intrigue will surround the contest between the Cougars and Kees at Kaniva on Saturday, there are plenty of other enticing matches.
Noradjuha-Quantong will host Laharum in another battle of top-five aspirants, reigning premier Harrow-Balmoral will attempt to fight off the challenge of visiting Natimuk United, winless sides Swifts and Edenhope-Apsley will each have an opportunity to earn their first points of the season when they meet at North Park, and Taylors Lake will look to do the same when it travels to play Rupanyup.
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