Keilor Park’s Essendon District Football League division 2 season ended a game short of a grand final, but the season as an overall was a success for the club.
Coming back into division 2 this season, the Devils went from struggling to have enough numbers to having three sides and winning a thirds premiership.
The buy in was strong from the group and it showed on the field as they finished the regular season in third spot.
The Devils season was cut short on Sunday, as Westmeadows proved too strong in their elimination final, winning 14.15 (99)-11.4 (70).
Devils coach Colby Blyth was left to rue a slow start.
The margin was 33 points at half time and that would be the difference.
“It was put onto us that the start, the first 10-15 minutes, was the heat of the contest and we had to be wary of,” Blyth said.
“Unfortunately they got that jump on us. Experience comes into it and they are an experienced football team and played in last year’s grand final.
“We are a very young football club. We unfortunately couldn’t be ready and prepared and were chasing a bit for the majority of the day.”
Blyth said he was proud of how the side showed some fight in the second half, including four goals in a row in the third quarter.
He said this group never gives up which was one of their biggest strengths.
“Something I’m extremely proud about with these guys,” he said. “They’re an extremely resilient football club.
“It could have been very easy to walk away and let them run all over the top of us with their momentum.
“But for the boys to hang in there and not let that be the case, it is an incredible achievement for them.”
Mark Jamar finished with three goals for the Devils. Tyler Killick and Lindon Bektash were named their best.
Blyth said they reflect on the season as a whole and they’ve had an incredible year from where they have come from.
It was Blyth’s first season as head coach at the club.
“We are still extremely proud of the effort that we gave,” he said. “For us it was a bit of the unknown coming down from division 1 into division 2.
“We had a few players leave and it was hard for retention purposes and we had to recruit as well. For us to have the players stick by us and run a new plan and format, putting ourselves in this position has been an incredible amount of work.
“Our retention is now unbelievable, every single senior player has signed. We’re looking really good.”
Westmeadows will face Rupertswood in the grand final after the Sharks beat Glenroy in the other preliminary final.
Tara Murray
