Keilor’s women are one win away from capping off a perfect football season at their first attempt.
The dominant side all season in the Western Region and Essendon District Football League, the Blues won through to the grand final on Sunday afternoon.
Playing Manor Lakes for a second straight week, the Blues again came out on top by
42 points.
Keilor coach Emma Kerry said the intensity lifted from last week and that after a slow start, her side was able to gain control of the semi-final and run away with it.
“We treated last week as a final – it was about keeping the momentum going,” she said.
“It was a tough game today and quite hectic … took a good quarter to settle.
“After half-time, we came out like a different side … We switched it on in the second half.
“It’s a great achievement by the girls to reach the grand final.”
Kerry highlighted the performances of Rachael Knight, Sarah and Gemma Wright and Jill McBain.
“Rachael was phenomenal,” she said.
“She’s a netballer in her first year [of football]. She’s 6’3 with a lot of athleticism. She had something like 40 to 50 hit-outs.
“The Wright sisters were up there again, despite both being tagged. They have very different game styles.
“Jill McBain was another to stand out. All the girls stepped up across the game.”
The win means the Blues have the week off before the grand final, in which they will play either Manor Lakes or Sunbury Lions.
Kerry said both sides would present a big challenge.
She said the week off had come at a perfect time for the team.
“We’ve had a couple of tough games,” she said.
“Pascoe Vale was the toughest game we’ve played … they dropped all the Northern Football League division 1 players back.
“Then we’ve played Manor Lakes twice. Even though the scoreline didn’t reflect it, last week was a tough game.
“I’ve got 20 girls who have never played football and are getting used to being tackled and bumped.”
Kerry said they would train like normal this week before having a training session on Sunday.
While the Blues are through to the grand final, the season is over for Caroline
Springs. The Lakers lost their elimination semi-final to a more experienced Sunbury Lions outfit on Sunday.
