By Tara Murray
Keilor has been made to pay for a below par performance in Essendon District Football League Women’s premier division.
Facing Aberfeldie in a semi-final for a spot in the grand final, the Blues were easily beaten.
While only trailing by nine points at half-time, the Blues were lucky to be that close.
After the break, Aberfeldie doubled its score to come away with a 5.12 (42)-2.0 (12) win.
No surprise Blues coach Ron Sikora was disappointed.
“When you don’t come to play footy, you don’t get the results,” he said.
“We could have been a lot worse – they had 10 opportunities in the first quarter, but only had two majors.
“We turned it around seven minutes into the second quarter … we then fell away again.”
Sikora said they allowed Aberfeldie too much open ball, allowing its players to get their run going. He said their defensive structures weren’t where they should have been, either.
“We didn’t want to initiate physical contact,” he said. “We allowed them to have first use. We got too close in the stoppages and let them have the outside space.”
Brooke Todero kicked both of the Blues’ goals. Christie Roberts and Kallyn Gent, who were among the Blues’ best last week, were the two standouts.
Sikora said others played well in patches, but weren’t consistent throughout the whole game.
The Blues this week face Hillside, which defeated the Sunbury Kangaroos in the other semi-final.
Sikora said if they played well, they should get the win and have another crack at Aberfeldie in the grand final.
“Hillside are running on a high,” he said. “They’re playing some good footy. We know what we need to do and we will go in confident, but not cocky.”
Sikora said they might have some of their under-18s available for selection, with their side being knocked out.
Keilor Park will also have to go the long way to make the division 1 grand final after losing to Essendon Doutta Stars.
Doutta Stars led by just two points at the last break before kicking the last four goals to win 7.5 (47)-3.1 (19).
The Devils will this week face Maribyrnong Park for a spot in the grand final.
Maribyrnong Park defeated Moonee Valley by a point in their semi-final.
In the men’s competition, Keilor claimed the honours in the top of the table clash with Aberfeldie. The Blues won 12.11 (83)-6.10 (46) to remain undefeated.
MORE EDFL NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/diasappointing-end-for-sunbury-kangaroos/
