East Keilor claims top-four finish after win over Aberfeldie

A goal of the year contender and another promising display from an ex-AFL player helped East Keilor lock in its EDFL finals return. Here’s what the club had to say.

East Keilor is back where it wants to be — playing EDFL Premier Division finals.

The Cougars secured their place in the top-four in the final round of the home-and-away season with a 14.12 (96) to 9.11 (65) win over Aberfeldie.

It has been a remarkable rise for East Keilor who were playing in the competition’s second tier just two years ago while threatening for finals footy for much of last year.

This year, they’ve had a change in coach mid-season and had the playing list ravaged by the injures, forced to forfeit two reserves games during the season.

But they’re now starting to get players back with finals footy two weeks away.

Co-coach and president Pat Christofi said he was pleased to see his side work their way into the top-four.

“It’s a credit to all of the boys and the issues we’ve faced this year,” he said.

“To be able to sustain the level we have is a great effort. We hadn’t beaten Aberfeldie in over 20 years, to tick that off is a big positive for us.

“We ran Keilor to seven points a few weeks back, it shows we’re not too far away, it’s just a case of continuing to push ourselves and improve every week.

“We’ve seen a lot of growth this season and I’m sure that will keep going.”

Dominant ruck duo Chris Stewart and Matt Dennis were again at the centre of a strong Cougars performance with both players named among their side’s better players.

Stewart booted four goals including arguably the goal of the year when he kicked the ball out of mid-air at a stoppage about 40m from goal as it sailed through post height.

“I’ve seen him do that a few times through the time we’ve known each other,” Christofi said.

“It’s no longer wow look at that when he does it, it’s a trademark of his. Together those boys are a force.

“Stewart is very physical and Dennis is more the athletic type, so they compliment each other well.”

Ben Silvagni in action for East Keilor. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Saturday’s game also saw Ben Silvagni, the son of Carlton legend Stephen, play his second game for the club.

He booted three goals in another impressive display.

Jacob Brown, Charles Van Der Byl and Heath Shaw also performed strongly for the Cougars.

“He’s a class above even Premier footy,” Christofi said of Silvagni.

“Ben had a shoulder reconstruction so hasn’t played much footy this year but we’re really glad to have him in our side and we’re excited to see what he can do come finals.”

The EDFL has introduced a pre-finals bye for Premier Division this season meaning East Keilor will have to wait until Sunday, September 10 to take on reigning premier Strathmore in the first semi-final.

Although Christofi called it a “blessing in disguise” as it gives key players more time to recover from injury.

Those include Bruno Laguda, Brandon Coletta and Dion Hill.

“We’re hoping to get them back, they’ll give themselves every chance of playing,” he said.

“We’ll go in as underdogs but we’re not there to make up the numbers.”