If there were any doubts over Keilor’s credentials as a premiership contender in the Essendon District Football League before the new season, they have now evaporated.
The Blues have been perfect over the opening six rounds of the year, sitting undefeated and on top of the Premier division ladder.
Behind the club’s dominant run has been a dynamic forward set up which has put some of the league’s best defences under immense pressure.
Across the first six rounds, Keilor has scored 181 more points than any of its premier division rivals. The Blues have also scored more than 100 points each match.
Leading the charge has been off-season recruit Dean Galea. The sharpshooter, who joined the club from Avondale Heights, has 33 goals from his six games.
He has also impressed head coach Mick McGuane with his ability to score against the best sides in the competition.
Galea booted eight goals against Pascoe Vale and six against Greenvale.
“To finish with eight goals against a quality defensive unit in Pascoe Vale, it was once again a great endorsement as to why our club needed a player of his calibre,” McGuane said.
“Against Greenvale, he broke the game open single-handedly.”
In scary news for opposition sides, Keilor’s forward line looks as if it will only get stronger in the coming weeks.
After joining the club as a non-playing assistant coach, Luke McGuane came in off a limited pre-season.
He has already shown signs his best will be good enough to match it with anyone in the competition, kicking 10 goals across his first three games.
McGuane said there had been a natural maturing of the playing group and he singled out Dylan Joyce, Andrew Browne and Guy Barbuto for their on-field leadership.
“Three or four years ago, a lot of these boys were only 22 years of age and in some cases younger,” McGuane said.
“We thought that if we could recruit good talent back then … we could sustain some growth within our four walls based on these boys playing together and staying together.
“We have a lot of work to do, we fully understand that. There is a really good belief amongst the group right now that we are on the right track.”
