By Tara Murray
Keilor will have to do it the hard way if it is to win through to the Essendon District Football League premier division grand final.
Aberfeldie snuck home with two late goals to down the Blues in a semi-final on Saturday at Windy Hill.
In trying conditions, the two sides traded the lead throughout the day.
Scores were level at quarter-time, with the Gorillas leading by one point at the other two breaks.
Keilor hit the front early in the last quarter, but the Gorillas responded with two goals.
There was no late comeback from the Blues, with the Gorillas winning 7.9 (51)-6.7 (43).
Blues coach Mick McGuane said it was a match that could have gone either way and that a couple of moments decided the outcome.
“It was trying conditions and a tough day at the office,” he said.
“It rained all day and it was slippery, hence the scoreline. There was more than 100 inside 50s for 13 goals.
“They just happened to be in front at the end. They kicked two goals in two minutes after the 20 minutes of the last quarter and that was the difference.”
Dean Galea kicked two goals for the Blues, while Dylan Joyce, Andrew Browne and Billy Iles were named their best.
The loss was compounded by injuries to Jay White (hamstring) and Kieran Bell (AC
joint).
McGuane said neither played any part in the second half and at this stage looked set to miss this coming week’s action.
The Blues will face Strathmore in a preliminary final. In their semi-final, Strathmore defeated Greenvale 13.12 (90)-7.8 (50).
It was a tough weekend all round for the Blues, with their reserves losing their semi-final to Greenvale and the under-19s losing their semi-final to Strathmore.
As with the seniors, the reserves have a second chance and will play in a preliminary final this weekend.
In division 1, Tullamarine defeated Craigieburn to win through to the grand final.
In division 2, Roxburgh Park is the first team into the grand final. East Sunbury will play the Northern Saints in the preliminary final.
