Tara Murray
Keilor produced one of the more stunning performances in recent Essendon District Football League history in the top of the table premier division match.
The Blues faced Pascoe Vale, with both sides undefeated entering the match on Saturday at Raeburn Reserve.
The Panthers had the better of it in the first quarter but weren’t able to convert, with the Blues leading by three points at quarter time.
No one had any idea what would come after that.
The Blues got going into the second quarter with eight goals to none to blow the game open.
It would be all the Blues in the second half.
The Panthers would have just three shots on goal after quarter time. Their only shot in the second half came just before the final siren and it was touched on the line.
The Blues came away with a 22.14 (146)-1.7 (13) win.
Blues coach Mick McGuane said it was an empathic display.
“To win by 133 points is as emphatic as it gets,” he said on the Blues social media after the game.
“Super courageous all day and played with great bravery, they brought great heat to the contest from the first bounce.
“It was an arm wrestle in the first 30 minutes. I thought if we got some good width and length we were going to open the game up, which we did
“To have an eight goal quarter in that second quarter was as dominant as you get.”
McGuane said to keep the Panthers to just one point in the second half on their home ground, was a testament to how invested the players were.
Cody Brand kicked three goals for the Blues, with seven other players kicking two each.
Josh Honey and Corey Ellis dominated the midfield for the Blues, while Nathan Colenso and Brad Xavier also had strong games.
The win was soured by an injury to Nick O’Kearney. After a dominant second quarter, O’Kearney was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured wrist or arm and had scans on Saturday.
The win now has the Blues a game on top after six rounds.
The Blues face East Keilor this Saturday.
In other results, it was a tough day for Deer Park against Aberfeldie.
Aberfeldie was dominant throughout the 25.14 (164)-6.6 (42) win.
Nick Aleksovski kicked two goals for the Lions and was their only multiple goal kicker.
Jack Dorgan and Jake McKenzie were named the Lions best.
In division 1, Keilor Park had a big loss against Craigieburn and Hillside snuck home against Oak Park, while in division 2 Burnside Heights and Taylors Lakes both had wins.
