Keilor is through to its first Essendon District Football League premier division grand final since 2008.
Having knocked off Aberfeldie in the final round of the season, the Blues were confident they could do it again a week later in the semi-finals.
Both sides welcomed back a number of key players and it was the Blues who jumped out of the blocks.
Six goals to one opened up a 28-point lead and they still led by 22 points at the main break.
Like all good teams, the Gorillas made their move in the third term, keeping the Blues goalless.
Still the Blues were in front and it stayed that way until the end: 12.4 (76)-8.19 (67).
Blues coach Mick McGuane says it will be a first senior grand final at Keilor for the entire team.
The coach said it was a brave effort to hold off the Gorillas, with both sides feeling the effects of a tough game.
“We lost key personnel during the game and so did Aberfeldie. To get the ascendancy early on and convert your chances puts pressure on, and ours was a really good brand of footy.
“We were efficient going into the forward line and the guys who got the ball kicked straight.
“Looking at the scoreboard, conversion did have an impact in the end.”
McGuane was prepared for the Gorillas to respond in the second half but was disappointed with how his team played in the third quarter.
“I knew at some stage they would find a way to get back into the contest,” he said.
“In the third quarter, our ball security was very disappointing and we gave it up too easy.”
McGuane was full of praise at how the playing group responded with many of the senior players in the thick of the action when it counted.
“The back six, especially [Eamonn] Ogden, [Jesse] Wallin and [Ryan] Noye held firm against their direct opponents and impacted in the air when they had the chance.
“Kane Barbuto won some critical ball and Dylan Joyce stood up like you want your captain to.
“We’ve worked so hard since November,” he said. “It’s all new players, which is exciting, A lot of the senior players have never played in a grand final.”
One who won’t be playing in the grand final is Leigh Burke. Burke was given a 36-week ban last week for striking Essendon Doutta Stars player Simon Clarke. The incident resulted in Clarke sustaining a broken jaw.
