By Tara Murray
Keilor is primed for another tilt at a premiership.
Last season’s Western Region and Essendon District Football League women’s premier has this season claimed the minor premiership in Northern Football League Women’s division 1.
The Blues finished with a 12-1-1 record, with the draw coming from a washout.
Coach Emma Kerry said while they could always improve, she was happy with the results.
“It’s not something we aimed for,” she said of finishing on top of the ladder.
“We get the week off and get to rest some bodies.
“We had been qualified for finals for some time. We didn’t get ahead of ourselves and put the effort in each week and didn’t take the foot off the pedal.”
It was only in the past few weeks of the season that the Blues sealed top spot.
In those games they were able to welcome back several players from injury.
While many of the team was part of last year’s premiership, Kerry said it was pleasing to see a number of players progress through the ranks.
She said it would be interesting to see how they go in their first final.
“We’ve got five or six players playing their first senior finals, who were all under-18s at the club.
“It’s really pleasing to give them a crack this season.
“There’s a pathway for our juniors … if the team was going to be sustainable we needed a pathway.
“We’ve got some mature players around them.”
While the Blues finished on top, they are far from clear favourites.
No more than three goals has separated the Blues from second-placed Bendigo Thunder and third-placed VU Spurs all year.
Kerry said while the experience from last year would be vital, the Blues know they aren’t the only team with that experience.
“All the teams in the finals have a lot of experience, especially Bendigo.
“We have not played Bendigo since round seven and they’ve found good form.
“You never take them for granted. We have to take it week by week.”
The Blues will this week face Bendigo for a spot in the grand final. Bendigo needed extra time to defeat VU Spurs on Sunday.
Meanwhile in the Essendon District Football League, Keilor had a big win against Glenroy in premier division, winning 22.14 (146)-11.4 (70).
In division 1, Hillside is keeping the pressure on the top four sides with a 11.13 (79)-6.13 (49) win against East Keilor.
In division 2, Burnside Heights added another win to its best season, defeating Hadfield, 18.9 (117)-14.10 (94).
