By Tara Murray
Reigning premiers Keilor sent an early message with a demolition job of Deer Park on Saturday in the opening round of the Essendon District Football League premier division.
After a few tremulous weeks off field for the Blues, they let their footy do the talking against the Lions, who had been busy in the off season.
The Blues jumped out to an early lead and were able to consolidate that before half time, leading by 47 points.
An 11 goal third term by the Blues pushed the margin beyond 100 points heading into the final quarter.
They finished it off strongly to come away with a 29.20 (194)-8.7 (55) win.
Blues coach Mick McGuane said they had been waiting for round one.
“There’s always that added anticipation,” he said. “There’s what the opposition are doing, but you just focus on what you have to put out there.
“To the boys’ credit, the effort and mental side was what we wanted and it was a pleasing result.”
McGuane said his side’s efficiency inside 50 early on was the difference in a hotly contested game for the first 10 minutes.
The Blues put on six goals in that period. He said Deer Park lifted its work rate in the second quarter and were able to put a few on the board, before Keilor responded.
The third quarter showed what the Blues can do.
“Eleven goals in the third quarter was a game breaker,” McGuane said. “It is hard to do.”
Christos Kosmas kicked six goals for the Blues, while Kane Barbuto and Liam Hude kicked four goals each as another five players kicked multiple goals.
Leaders Nick O’Kearney, Kane Barbuto, Josh Honey and Corey Ellis were among the best as showing the way.
McGuane was not surprised.
“They stepped up game one,” he said. “The younger boys then have the confidence and skills to play around them.”
Scarily for other sides, the Blues had eight changes from their premiership side.
McGuane said there’s plenty of upside still to come having retained most of their premiership squad.
He said the culture and standards at the club meant that players didn’t want to go elsewhere.
“We had three debutants,” he said. “Lachie McArthur played a good game on Lachie Smart and Christian Ollvieri kicked a couple of goals as a small pressure forward.
“Liam Hude come back from one game at Colling and kicked four goals in his first game. He will be a point of difference.
“When everyone is available we will have some decisions to make around selection.”
The Blues face Airport West in round two. The Eagles also had a 100-point win to start the season, beating East Keilor.
For Deer Park, Lin Jong and Jake Mckenzie were named their best.
Meanwhile in division 1, Hillside lost to Oak Park, Taylors Lakes beat Roxburgh Park and St Albans was too strong for Craigieburn.
In division 2, Burnside Heights lost to Glenroy.
