EDFL 2018: Aberfeldie claims back-to-back Premier Division flags with grand final win over Keilor

POWERHOUSE Aberfeldie marked the culmination of its 70th season in the Essendon District Football League by handing Keilor a 61-point grand final walloping at Windy Hill.

POWERHOUSE Aberfeldie marked the culmination of its 70th season in the Essendon District Football League by handing Keilor a 61-point grand final walloping at Windy Hill on Sunday.

Competing in their sixth consecutive top-flight grand final, Abers claimed back-to-back flags for the first time and hoisted the silverware for the third time in the past four seasons after a dominant display on the big stage.

Two years ago, Keilor monstered Aberfeldie in the Premier Division decider.

Aberfeldie’s players strike a premiership pose. Picture: Mark Dadswell

But this time Aberfeldie bossed the contest from the early stages of the second term. With three points separating the pair, Abers piled on six unanswered goals to establish a 41-point lead at the main break.

Given Keilor retrieved a 44-point deficit at three-quarter-time to knock off Strathmore in the preliminary final, few would have been willing to rule a line through Mick McGuane’s Blues with a half to play.

By the final change the margin was 38 points, before two last-quarter goals to Jean-Luc Velissaris and a major to Zach Hislop officially killed the contest as Aberfeldie powered to a 17.11 (113) to 7.10 (52) victory.

Captain Luke Davis and co-coach Adam Potter hoist the silverware. Picture: Mark Dadswell

“It’s a bit surreal in some ways that we’re now in this position where we’ve won the three premierships,” co-coach Adam Potter said.

“I’m just really proud of everyone across the club. It’s a great community club and I’m really pleased for the supporters who have been here for such a long time and the volunteers.”

Star midfielder Luke Blackwell claimed the Reg Rose Medal for best afield for a second consecutive year, adding to his already decorated CV, as his team won the decider by the exact same margin as 2017.

Aberfeldie players celebrate on the final siren at Windy Hill. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Josh Toy, Luke Davis and Jacob Craven — staples in the competition’s best defensive unit — also starred, while Hislop and Velissaris bagged three goals each.

Courtney Johns played his last game in the season finale after eight years with the club, while Blackwell is weighing up his future.

Four members of the team — Mark Austin, Rhys Moylan, Stefan Rasinac and Velissaris — played in their first flag. Potter now has the distinction of being a triple premiership coach, while Davis has been skipper for the 2015, 2017 and 2018 flags.

After losing to Keilor by 45 points in Round 13, Abers won its last seven games of the campaign to claim the ultimate prize and secured the week off after beating the Blues in the major semi-final.

Aberfeldie’s Mark Austin celebrates a late goal with Zach Hislop. Picture: Mark Dadswell

“It was a great preparation,” Potter said.

“We’ve learnt that, having been in that situation twice, how driven you need to be with that week off. It does allow us to get bodies right and do everything like that, but with success you can become complacent, and there was no sign of complacency with this group.

“They were really driven. The five training sessions we had leading up to (Sunday) were of the right standard.

“This year, to play 38, 39 players and there were guys overseas and holidays, it’s a special (premiership), that’s for sure.

“They’re a great group to coach. I’m very fortunate to be their coach. Nine triple premiership players, nine two-time premiership players and four new premiership players to the club — it’s a pretty special moment.”

Aberfeldie players are all smiles after the premiership triumph. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Potter also scotched rumours work commitments could force him to step down from the top job.

“I’m not sure where that came from, but I’m definitely coaching in 2019,” he said.

“Obviously … family comes first, work comes second and footy third. But I’m still able to balance that at the moment and it would be hard to walk away from such a great group of people.”