Keilor survived a second-half scare in its EDFL clash with Strathmore on Saturday before clinching another win and keeping its hold on top place on the ladder for another week.
With Strathmore still hopeful of grabbing a spot in the premier division finals, the match was played with finals-like intensity.
Keilor’s class showed early and late, the Blues staging a gritty fightback to take the win 15.13 (103)-15.10 (100) at Lebanon Reserve.
It was end-to-end footy for much of the early stanzas as both sides fought for the upper hand and every turnover became costly on the scoreboard.
Unsurprisingly, it was star Keilor forward Dean Galea who set the early pace. He seemed to be on the end of every ball that went inside the Keilor forward 50 as he helped himself to five first-half goals and had a big say in the visitors’ 14-point lead at the main break.
But with their finals chances at stake, Strathmore came out firing in the third quarter to cut the margin before some ill-discipline from the Keilor defence gifted the home side two quick, late goals and with it a slender seven-point buffer at the final change.
From there it was anyone’s game, but Keilor addressed shortcomings at the break to regain the momentum and grind out an important win.
Keilor coach Mick McGuane said the response from his side at the final break was pleasing, but he’d prefer they didn’t have lapses in concentration to begin with.
“We had some discipline problems in the third quarter, which we have to be better at,” McGuane said.
“We can’t afford to give sides the momentum like that. We have to keep our emotions in check, especially with finals coming up.
“To the boys’ credit they embraced what we wanted to do in the last quarter and we got the job done.”
In a tight game, McGuane singled out Galea as the difference between the two sides as he finished with six majors to continue his strong season.
“It was a pretty enthralling contest,” McGuane said.
“I thought Galea was fantastic, often going up against two defenders.
“He was the main reason we had a lead at half-time, which proved crucial in the final result.
“Luke Cartelli was pretty prominent with possession, too, as well as kicking three goals at critical stages.
“And I thought Michael Tanner was outstanding down back against some key players for Strathmore.”
The win keeps Keilor on top of the ladder with just five games to play before finals, with two more wins probably enough to secure a top-two finish and the all-important double chance.
“We’ve created a bit of a buffer at the top of the table, so we’re happy with where we sit now,” McGuane said. “First or second, it doesn’t really matter. We don’t really care as long as we get that double chance and give ourselves the best chance to prepare for the big games.”
