By Tara Murray
Keilor has pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in Essendon District Football League premier division history to win through to this week’s grand final.
At three-quarter time the Blues trailed Strathmore by 44 points with the Mores looking like they would join Aberfeldie in the grand final.
While many people thought the game was over, Keilor coach Mick McGuane hadn’t given up hope.
The Blues kicked the first couple of goals of the final quarter and it was game-on.
The Blues kept coming and when Dean Galea converted truly in the 25th minute, the Blues were in front.
They stayed there, winning 12.17 (89)-12.15 (87).
McGuane said it was one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the league.
“It was an amazing fightback and showed the great spirit of the club,” he said.
“A lot would have thought we were down and out, and rightly so.
“We know we can score at speed and if we got what we wanted and adhered to what was said at three-quarter time we [knew we] could do it.”
McGuane said they weren’t playing their best football in the first three quarters and thought they were a chance if they could lift it another level.
He said the end they were kicking at in the final quarter, had been the scoring end all day.
“We had nine scoring shots at goal in the second quarter,” he said.
“We didn’t finish it off and were sometimes taking the wrong option.
“I’ve seen us kick 10 goals in a quarter, I know how quickly we can kick goals.
“It went our way in the last quarter.”
McGuane was full of credit for the job that Strathmore did for the first three quarters.
“Unfortunately there had to be a winner and loser,” he said.
“Their back six were fantastic for three quarters. We changed the dynamic and made them defend.
“We hunted the ground ball.”
Galea kicked three goals, including two in the last quarter.
McGuane said there was a lot of contributors across the board, but no one stood out.
The Blues finished with just two players on the bench.
McGuane said it was too early to say whether they would get up and he would see how everyone recovered.
Damian Cavka was a late withdrawal and was one of a number of key players missing from the side.
McGuane said injuries was something they had dealt with all season and players had been able to come in and replace those missing.
The win means the Blues face off against Aberfeldie for the second time in three weeks.
“There was moments here and there that got them through,” McGuane said of the semi-final.
“We missed opportunities and bits and pieces that meant we had to fight through the long way.”
The Blues will have two teams in action on Sunday at Windy Hill, with the reserves side winning through.
Last time the Blues had both teams through to the grand final in 2016, both Blues teams won – the seniors defeating Aberfeldie.
More EDFL news:
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/airport-west-takes-the-title-over-tullamarine/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/east-sunbury-rolls-on-for-grand-final/
