Keilor will take plenty of positives out of the Essendon District Football League premier division season, despite falling short at the last hurdle.
The pacesetters all season, the Blues limped to the finish line and were made to pay by a red hot Strathmore.
The Mores had the wind early in Saturday’s grand final at Windy Hill and were able to build the ascendancy from there.
Strathmore maintained a lead all day but were never able to blow the Blues away.
It was able to do more than enough though to get the job done, winning 11.18 (84)-9.10 (64).
Blues coach Mick McGuane said they knew going into the game it would be a battle.
“We’re realists,” he said. “There’s a lot of players in the grand stand that would have been playing if they were right.
“One team is really healthy and deserves their victory and one team limped in and from a structural impact was hampered.
“We tried to manufacture a team based on who was available and to their credit I thought they battled bravely against the odds.”
McGuane said they had eight players out injured or suspended, while they had another four who missed out on qualifying.
Another two were injured on Saturday.
On Saturday, the Mores won the toss and had plenty of opportunities into the wind to gain the ascendency early on.
“There was a five goal breeze early on and we were happy with a 3.8 return,” McGuane said. “We didn’t capitalise on our opportunities in the first quarter against the breeze with the entries.
“We were fumbly and too many players didn’t impact the game. More than half our team would have had less than 10 possessions I would have thought.
“To get that close in terms of the scoreline … We probably got flattered a little bit in the end, due to their inaccuracy.
McGuane said their offensive was as bad as it had been but said there were reasons behind it.
He said he felt they were in the game all day, they just couldn’t finish off their work.
“To their credit, they punish you,” he said.
“Obviously, with [Sam] Hayes influence, hitouts to advantage … giving them first access at ground level.
“They had some players behind the ball that we couldn’t get over and through enough.”
Jermarl Daly and Jovan Petric kicked two goals each for the Blues
Nick O’Kearney and Kane Barbuto were named the Blues best.
It wasn’t all heartbreak for the Blues on Saturday with their reserves knocking off Strathmore.
Parker Sneddon in his 400th game for the club was named best on ground.
Billy Teal played his 300th game in the grand final as well, alongside his two brothers.
McGuane said it was special to see them celebrate post game.
“It’s beautiful,” he said. “To see a group of guys… You can’t put 66 into 22, the next best thing is to give those 66 a chance to play in a grand final.”
McGuane said even though they didn’t get the ultimate success the season overall was still a success.
“I can’t be more than satisfied,” he said. “You return what we did and play the footy we did and bring excitement to the competition, we think.
“It’s a good brand we think stacks up. History tells you it has over a five year period, I think we’ve won 100 games and only lost 12.
“We set high standards and want to be the benchmark of the competition. We have lost that mantle this year with that result.
“It doesn’t define us. We know the players are there, the club is united.”
