A SPIRITED final quarter burst by Keilor Park proved fruitless as the Devils fell a point short of East Keilor in a heartbreaking finish on Saturday.
The loss dropped Keilor Park to fifth on the Essendon District Football League division 2 table with two matches remaining.
Roxburgh Park’s 51-point win over Jacana meant the Magpies took fourth from the Devils.
The two teams meet at Keilor Park Reserve this Saturday and will likely decide which of the two plays finals.
Roxburgh Park appears favourite, given it has beaten Keilor Park twice this season, albeit narrowly.
Roxburgh Park also takes on sixth-ranked Coburg Districts in the final round, while Keilor Park plays top-of-the-table Hillside. In a wind-affected match, East Keilor mangled several opportunities in the opening term but still led by 18 points at quarter time. The Devils kicked three to two in the second term and kept in touch during the third quarter with two goals to four.
Trailing by 24 points at the final break, Keilor Park put everything on the line, slamming home five goals, but the Cougars got two of their own to run out 10.13 (73) to 11.6 (72) winners.
Jake Thomas booted four for the Devils, while Ben Ryan was in everything and also kicked two goals.
Hillside went four games clear atop the ladder with a 29.18 (192) to 1.1 (7) thumping of East Sunbury at Hillside Reserve. Paul Edwards, who has dined out on the Storm with 25 goals in two games, slotted nine goals as the Sharks dominated from start to finish. There were six goals in the opening term, eight in the second, 12 in the third and three in an uneventful final term. Aisake Ó hAilpín was terrific with six goals, while another 10 players piled on goals.
In division 1, Taylors Lakes enjoyed a 13.14 (92) to 6.11 (47) win over Westmeadows. The Lions restricted Westmeadows to just three goals after quarter time, while kicking 12 of their own.
In the premier division, Keilor had its best win of the year: 29.30 (204) to Oak Park’s 18.2 (110). The Blues led by 28 points at half time and kicked 19 goals to 10 in the second half. Jarrod Garth booted 10 majors.
PICTURE GALLERY: Aberfeldie v Greenvale
