EDFL 2019: Mick McGuane’s Keilor defeats Aberfeldie in grand final

Keilor star Kane Barbuto has heaped praise on premiership coach Mick McGuane, declaring “no one rivals the way he thinks about football” after the Blues won their second EDFL flag in four years.

Keilor’s players strike a premiership pose at Windy Hill. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Decorated Keilor skipper Kane Barbuto has lauded the influence of master coach Mick McGuane after the club claimed its second EDFL Premier Division flag in four seasons on Saturday.

The Blues conquered rival Aberfeldie by eight points in an engrossing decider at Windy Hill, completing a remarkable 20-0 campaign and giving McGuane a third premiership as coach.

No Keilor senior team had achieved an unblemished year in the club’s 142-year history before the weekend, while Abers were the last side to go through unbeaten in 2015.

The close bond between McGuane and his players was palpable amid the euphoria after the final siren as the Blues earned a slice of retribution after they were on the receiving end of a 61-point hammering from Aberfeldie in the 2018 decider.

Keilor players, including Kane Barbuto (right), move into celebration mode. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The Collingwood premiership player and two-time Copeland Trophy winner led Keilor to the ultimate prize in his first season at the club in 2008 and again in 2016.

McGuane put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension in July, which will take him through to the end of 2021.

Inspirational captain Barbuto, who claimed the Reg Rose Medal for best afield, was glowing in his praise for his coach.

“There’s not a coach like him,” Barbuto said.

“I’ve had a few coaches in my time and no one rivals the way he thinks about football, the way he cares for his players.

“You can’t buy that. It’s priceless.

“You do it for your family, your teammates, but when you’ve got Mick at the helm, you do it just as much for him as well.”

Mick McGuane (right) has led Keilor to three premierships. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Barbuto, who spent two seasons on Werribee’s VFL list, credited McGuane for his development.

The gun midfielder racked up 28 possessions on the big stage and iced his performance with three majors, underlining his status as the competition’s pre-eminent player.

“Mick’s guidance and having a chat to him on the phone or before training, he’s the one who’s really guided me and made me successful, and now a premiership captain,” Barbuto said.

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Keilor survived a last-quarter rally from Aberfeldie to hoist the silverware.

The Blues held a five-goal advantage at three-quarter-time and appeared to have the game in their keeping.

Abers booted six goals to three with the wind at their backs in the final half-hour, with Keilor holding on for an 11.9 (75) to 10.7 (67) victory.

Keilor players are ecstatic after an eight-point win. Picture: Andy Brownbill

There were big moments, like young gun Joel Sadler’s superb snap at the 11-minute mark of the last quarter.

Jamie Papalia and Matt Clark also nailed majors under enormous pressure to put a seal on a memorable season.

“We knew we had enough to keep coming back and kicked a couple of clutch goals at the end. That’s what we’ve done all year and we managed to do it again,” Barbuto said.

“To cap it off with a premiership and be fortunate enough to have a Reg Rose in my hands as well, this one means a lot.”

Ultimately, the Blues made less errors and were the superior side.

Barbuto was also a deserving winner of the medal for best-on-ground, but he had plenty of mates.

Utility Todd Stevenson, who stood up in both finals, was again busy, while former skipper Dylan Joyce, Mitchell Rogerson and Stefan Radovanovic also played key roles.

Spearhead Dean Galea, who was held goalless in the major semi-final a fortnight earlier, bagged four majors.

Dean Galea is pumped up after nailing a goal. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Barbuto struggled to put a special triumph into words in the aftermath.

“It’s still sinking in, but it’s so emotional. Everybody was just fighting for each other today,” he said.

“Grand finals, yeah you want to win them comfortably, but when they’re tight like that, they mean a lot more.”

Making the success all the more meritorious was the large injury list Keilor carried throughout the season.

Ex-AFL pair Damien Cavka and Nick O’Kearney were among those on the sidelines on Saturday.

Keilor players and supporters are all smiles. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Brock McGregor, Ben Christodoulou and Jesse Wallin were also missing.

But in their absence, the next generation stood up, with Barbuto pointing to the likes of Campbell Barton, Riley Ham, James Bailey, Joseph Ciranna, Sadler and Radovanovic, who are all aged 20 and under.

The Blues never lost faith in the depth at their disposal.

“We still felt confident,” Barbuto said.

“That’s not arrogance, it’s confidence, and I think you need that in a premiership group.

“I’m rapt that the young players weren’t pushed out of the side, they held their spot, and that’s what happens when you perform.”

Keilor and Aberfeldie have developed one of the great rivalries in suburban football, locking horns in three of the past four grand finals in the strong EDFL top-flight competition.

“It’s a great rivalry, and hopefully there’s many more years to come,” Barbuto said.

“We’re all getting a bit older now, so we’ll see how much longer it lasts.”

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