KEILOR turned in its best performance for the season in Essendon District Football League’s Premier division on Saturday, beating Essendon Doutta Stars by 85 points.
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The Blues dominated the match after quarter-time, booting 18 goals to four to keep in touch with the top four. They are two games out, though their percentage is 20 greater than fourth-placed Strathmore.
Jarrod Garth, in his fourth game since returning from a knee injury he sustained in the season opener against Strathmore, was best afield with six goals this week.
It wasn’t all easy going for the Blues, who trailed by seven points at quarter-time. But a seven-goal second term, which turned the deficit into a 30-point lead, signalled Keilor’s intent.
The second half saw the carnage continue, with five and six goals kicked in the third and final quarters respectively.
Doutta Stars, who kicked 22 goals in a big win over Avondale Heights last week, were held scoreless in the last term and managed just seven goals for the game.
Keilor coach Mick McGuane said it was his side’s “most complete” performance of the year. “It was resounding in the end, given we were down by seven at quarter-time,” he said.
“It was really comprehensive. The conditions were conducive to a hard slog, it was pretty damp underfoot, but the boys made the necessary adjustments. Kicking 20 goals in those conditions shows that we did a lot of things right when we had the ball in our hands and for them to only kick seven goals shows we really ground it out and that’s a complete game of footy.”
The Blues have had some bad luck this season with injuries, and was stripped of the four points it won against Avondale Heights after it was found to have fielded an ineligible player.
But strong wins over Pascoe Vale and Oak Park, and now Doutta Stars, will ensure they keep in touch.
In division 1, Taylors Lakes jumped to second on the ladder following a 114-point win against Craigieburn.
In division 2, Hillside enjoyed an 86-point win over Coburg Districts, a win that should have been far greater given the Sharks’ inaccuracy.
Keilor Park continued the pain for East Sunbury, winning by 162 points. Jake Thomas was best on ground, booting 10 goals for the victors. Of his 36 goals this season, 19 have come against East Sunbury.
