A last-quarter comeback by Keilor fell just short against Aberfeldie in the Essendon District Football League premier division on Saturday.
In a top-of-the-table clash, the unbeaten Blues found themselves 36 points down early in the last quarter against the reigning premier.
The Blues then turned it on to kick the next five goals to cut the margin to a goal.
And although they had opportunities in the dying minutes to level the scores they went down 10.9 (69)-9.9 (63).
Blues coach Mick McGuane said they would take a lot out of the game.
“We wasted opportunities in the first quarter, kicking 2.5 and missing set shots,” he said.
“In the second and third quarters they dominated territory and possession.
“They were cleaner around the footy and were getting first possession around the stoppages.
“We fumbled when we had chances and had an inability to maintain possession.”
McGuane said he was confident his side would respond in the final quarter, but when the Gorillas then kicked the first goal he knew the game could go either way.
“I’d have been disappointed if we hadn’t responded,” he said.
“We’re pretty resilient and after they kicked the first goal of the last quarter I thought they could win by eight or 10 goals or we’d respond.
“Credit to the boys, they mustered up courage in the last quarter.”
Dean Galea, Ryan Bathie and Luke McGuane kicked two goals each for the Blues and Michael James was named the best in the loss.
Kyle Reimers, who kicked six for the Gorillas, was best on ground.
McGuane said the class of former AFL players Reimers, Brock McLean and Luke Blackwell was one of the differences between the two sides.
Despite the loss, the Blues remain on top of the ladder with just percentage separating them and the second-placed Gorillas.
“If you’d told me we’d be 8-1 after nine rounds I’d take it every day of the week,” McGuane said.
“It’s set up our season and we’ve played a lot of good football.
“We failed by a kick and we’ve got some good players to come back into the side. Four of our back six were missing, while Eamonn Ogden got injured at work on Friday and Nash Holmes is in the Essendon VFL side.”
In division 1, Hillside got revenge on local rival Taylors Lakes.
After losing in round 1, Hillside took the points this time around, winning 15.12 (102)-11.10 (76).
In division 2, Burnside Heights and Keilor Park both suffered losses.
