EDFL 2021: Keilor outlasts Strathmore in Good Friday clash
A former AFL rookie was best afield as the 2019 EDFL premier extended its unbeaten run to 21 games with an opening-round win.
Essendon
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For three quarters it resembled a battle between two premiership contenders.
On a summer’s afternoon in April, Essendon District Football League heavyweights Keilor and Strathmore staged an engrossing contest in front of a bumper crowd to open the season.
For 90 minutes, it was tight and tense.
The final 30 was one-way traffic.
The relentless Blues, who last dropped a game in 2018, flexed their considerable muscle in the last term on Good Friday to outlast the Mores and issue an early notice of warning to their flag rivals.
With players from both sides showing the strain of their first official match in 18 months in the dying stages, Mick McGuane’s star-studded team ensured a serious battle became a stroll.
After leading by 11 points at three-quarter-time, Keilor piled on eight goals to four in a blistering final half-hour to prevail by 38 points, 19.9 (123) to 12.13 (85).
While the final margin did not reflect the quality of the contest, the fact the 2019 premier swept its opponent aside with such authority justified – for now at least – its status as premiership favourite.
McGuane has a senior squad brimming with depth and talent.
Nick O’Kearney was best afield, racking up 40 touches and icing his performance with two majors.
The former AFL rookie has been restricted to 18 appearances in the past two seasons – including three in 2019 – but he is a joy to watch in full flight and dominated on a wing and across half-back, rarely wasting a possession on a day when players from sides showed their rust.
But gun forward Dean Galea was razor sharp despite missing the Blues’ practice matches, kicking five majors, including three in the first quarter.
Utility Todd Stevenson bagged three goals and was influential, while Harry Bult also contributed three in his senior debut in a confidence-boosting display, McGuane praising him for a mature effort.
Jesse Wallin, who like O’Kearney was sidelined for the grand final two years ago, impressed in defence, along with Brad Xavier.
Big-name recruit Patrick Veszpremi accumulated 27 possessions in his first outing for the Blues, while returning Reynolds medallist Andrew Browne had an intriguing battle with the Mores’ Andrew Vavra in the ruck.
McGuane said he made some important adjustments at the main break after Strathmore kicked three goals to two in the second quarter to reduce the deficit to three points.
Prime movers Adam Iacobucci and Nick O’Brien fired in the middle for the visitors in the first half, allowing them to gain the ascendancy at different times.
Asked if he envisaged his team’s final-term blitz, McGuane said: “I was pretty confident 10 minutes into the third quarter the game was changing.
“We started to win contest, we started to shape it, we had better ball control. In the second quarter we were disgraceful in offence. With some of our decisions we made the unforced errors, some were made due to the good pressure from Strathmore. As a whole, we didn’t handle either well.
“I just thought we could have been much better with our decisions with ball in hand and then executing with hand or foot. Too many times we missed targets … just little things that kept Strathmore’s runners and chasers in the game.
“There’s a lot to work on in offence, but at the end of the day we’ve kicked 19 goals, and that’s pretty credible against a good opposition.”
Skipper Kane Barbuto, widely regarded as the EDFL’s pre-eminent player, was negated by Strathmore recruit Brock Egglestone.
McGuane said it was “foreign territory” for the reigning Reynolds medallist but credited Barbuto for his ability to have an impact in the forward half late.
The last quarter stretched 34 minutes after the sides combined for 12 goals as the match opened up.
McGuane said the lengthy break would be valuable for his team after a taxing fixture, with the Blues next facing Greenvale away on April 17.
“The game was pretty up and back – I think it 57-53 inside 50s – and there was a bit of ping pong in essence and it was on the back of both teams turning the footy over,” he said.
Strathmore coach Matt Horne took positives from the defeat, encouraged by the performances of his five recruits.
He lauded Eggleston’s shut down job, while Matt Knight and Will Donaghey also played well.
Adam Winter finished with three goals from six scores, while Floyd Bollinghaus provided a presence in the attacking half.
Horne said sloppy ball use in the middle of the ground ultimately cost his team.
“I think we missed opportunities on goal, but also through the arcs and that last kick inside 50,” he said.
“I think we had our chances to put a little bit of scoreboard pressure on them, but it wasn’t to be and they’re a good team and came away with it.
“Obviously very disappointed with the end result, but haven’t lost any belief in the team or the squad. We’re going to be around the mark hopefully with a bit of luck.”
McGuane said Keilor would only get better after emerging without any serious injury complaints.
“We’ve built into our program beautifully,” he said.
“To get a win first up is an added positive on the back of that because we’ve got some massive upside to come.”
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