Tara Murray
Keilor had its biggest test of the Essendon District Football League premier division season on Saturday and passed with flying colours.
The Blues faced long time rival Aberfeldie on Saturday and early parts of the match didn’t disappoint.
For parts of the game, Abers pushed the undefeated Blues.
But as good teams do, they find another level which the Blues did in the second half.
The Blues kicked eight goals in the final quarter to blow the margin out and claim an 18.17 (125)-10.5 (65) win.
Blues coach Mick McGuane said it was a good result in the end.
“We had a good start with some good ball cohesion,” he said. “We should have been further up at quarter time.
“They managed to get within three points early in the third quarter. We had some better ball movement in the final quarter and we were highly efficient.”
McGuane said they were pleased with how they shut Aberfeldie down offensively after they had plenty of ball last week.
At the other end, the Blues had a massive 35 scoring shots.
“Ten goals was a pretty convincing win,” he said. “It could have been 25.10 and we could have done a bit of damage on the scoreboard.
“We left a few out there.”
Nathan Colenso and Josh Honey kicked three goals for the Blues.
McGuane said Riley Ham and Brad Xavier were both standouts in defence. Stefan Radovanovic was good in the second half, while the usual suspects of Josh Honey, Corey Ellis and Nick O’Kearney were good in the middle.
McGuane was also happy with the efforts of Cody Brand in the forward line and making sure he brought the ball to ground when he didn’t mark it.
The win keeps the Blues winning streak alive with the side not having lost since 2022.
McGuane said things continue to travel well across the whole club.
“We’re in a really strong position,” he said. “We’re a little bit disjointed in the 18s with a number of players in the [Western] Jets.
“There were five or six play today [Sunday] as it makes that group stronger when they come back.
“The reserves were down by three points and kicked 10 goals in the second half. We keep rolling our sleeves up and focus on how we want to play.”
McGuane said they were basically at full strength.
The tests continue for the Blues, with a match up against Pascoe Vale this Saturday.
The Panthers are the only other undefeated team in premier division.
In other matches, Deer Park lost to East Keilor, 12.20 (92)-9.12 (66).
The Lions led at quarter time before the Cougars took a two point lead into half time. The Cougars opened up a lead in the third quarter and were able to maintain it in the last.
In division 1, St Albans and Hillside both had wins while it was a big loss for Keilor Park, while in division 2, Burnside Heights and Taylors Lakes remain undefeated.
