Tara Murray
Keilor went back to basics as it accounted for Pascoe Vale in the Essendon District Football League premier division on Saturday.
Conditions weren’t pretty on Saturday afternoon and the undefeated Blues needed to find another way to get the job done.
The Blues got out to an early lead and were able to maintain that throughout on the way to a 14.10 (94)-7.11 (53) win.
Blues coach Mick McGuane it was a sign of a good side that they were able to find different ways to win.
“It was a good game of footy in difficult conditions,” he said. “It was two good teams out there and it was a pleasure to watch.”
McGuane said the conditions weren’t great with one end of the ground in a lot better condition than the other.
He said he thought they were able to set the win up in the first quarter.
“It set us up initially while kicking with the breeze,” he said. “It gave us a bit of a buffer we needed.
“We won every quarter and our contested work was good. It was really simplistic tactics with the conditions.
“It was a two to one kick to handball ratio. We were able to find a way.”
Kane Barbuto and Jermarl Daly kicked three goals each for the Blues.
McGuane said both had impacts in a really even contribution across the board.
“Nick O’Kearney in his second game back was good, Kane as the skipper stood up.
“Kyle O’Connor is finding some good form. He had an interrupted pre-season and is getting better and better.
“We had no Brad Xavier and we lost Riley Ham early with a shoulder injury. We were missing our two best defenders, but still kept them to seven goals.”
McGuane said they were unsure how bad Ham’s injury was.
The Blues are now three games clear at the top of the ladder.
This week they face second placed Strathmore.
McGuane said they weren’t looking at ladder position and the minor premiership.
“We’ll roll our sleeves up and try and get the job done,” he said. “We need to make sure we do the right things to get the outcome.
“We’re in pretty good form.”
In other matches, Aberfeldie ran over the top of Deer Park.
The Lions led by six points at half time before Abers kicked eight goals to two after half time to win, 10.12 (72)-6.9 (45).
In division 1, St Albans had a big win against Keilor Park, 11.17 (83)-4/2 (26).
Hillside beat Craigieburn, 14.14 (98)-4.2 (26).
