Finals hopes renewed
Kalgoorlie's long wait for a victory was emphatically broken against Kambalda on Saturday night, giving them renewed hope of contesting this year's Goldfields Football League finals.
After six consecutive losses, the black and whites faced slipping three games, plus percentage, adrift of the fourth-placed Eagles.
But with star forward Matt Battye in dynamic form, Kalgoorlie responded with a powerhouse second half to win by 40 points, 17.13 (115) to 10.15 (75).
Kambalda led by seven points at half-time and went further ahead with a goal to James Murray in the opening seconds of the third term.
Kalgoorlie, however, turned the match on its head with six unanswered goals, including three from Battye and two off the boot of Eddie Ryder.
After a strong contested mark, Battye had a chance to nail his fifth goal just before three-quarter time.
His kick went astray, but Kalgoorlie's appetite for hard work saw them head for home with a 26-point lead.
Kambalda coach Justin Tarasinski's three-quarter time address was one for the ages, berating his charges for a brand of football he viewed as "selfish rubbish".
It was as animated as he has been since taking over the Eagles before the start of last season.
But after Kambalda had been outscored six goals to one in the third quarter, his pleas fell on deaf ears as Kalgoorlie won the last term five goals to two.
While Kalgoorlie got on with the job of winning hard football, Kambalda conceded a string of 50m penalties as the wheels fell off.
Kalgoorlie's second half dominance saw them outscore their opposition 11 goals to three, with Kambalda's revival hopes stifled by a wasteful 2.7 in the last quarter.
Battye finished with seven goals, with Ryder and Sebastian Wellstead bagging three.
Murray booted four in a losing effort, but Kambalda have now lost three straight since upsetting defending premiers Railways in round 4.
Apart from Murray, it was slim pickings for Kambalda.
Kael Bergles was the second-best forward with two goals, with four others kicking one each.
Kalgoorlie chase a second win against Boulder on Saturday afternoon, while Kambalda take on Railways at league headquarters on Sunday.
Round 9 marks the launch of Saturday afternoon fixtures, starting at 3pm.
