EDFL 2021: Keilor signs Kyle O’Connor and Owen King

The 2019 EDFL premier has secured a pair of important signings, while Blues coach Mick McGuane gives an update on star recruit Andrew Browne.

Keilor recruit Kyle O'Connor celebrates a goal during his days at Bell Park. Picture: Stephen Harman

Defending premier Keilor has secured the services of two young guns in a boost to its hopes of delivering master coach Mick McGuane a fourth flag.

Former Geelong VFL player Kyle O’Connor, who his close friends with star Blues utility Todd Stevenson, has put pen to paper with the Essendon District Football League Premier Division club.

O’Connor booted 33 goals from 17 games for Bell Park in the Geelong league in 2019 and is a premiership player at Horsham Saints.

He moved to Melbourne late last year for work reasons.

McGuane said he was yet to nail down a role for O’Connor, who spent two seasons at state league level.

“He was looking at a footy club to play at and wanted to play in a good competition, so it was a perfect fit for what we needed,” McGuane said.

“He’s going to add some flexibility as a midfield/forward I would have thought.

“He’s got good skills, a fierce competitor and the recruitment is aligned to our trademarks really.”

Keilor coach Mick McGuane. Picture: Jamie Morey

Forward Owen King, who is training with Carlton in the hope of securing a VFL contract, has also joined Keilor.

He kicked 11 goals from three games for Yarraville-Seddon in Division 2 of the Western Region league in 2019, including a haul of seven against eventual preliminary finalist Parkside.

But King’s season was ended by a knee injury in May, meaning he has not taken the field for almost two years.

But McGuane said the former Western Jets player was capable of becoming a damaging weapon in the EDFL despite a long time on the sidelines.

“We understand that, but we see him as a Keilor player for the next decade if all things work out well,” he said.

“We know Dean (Galea) is not going to be there forever and we’re always looking two or three years down the track.

“We see him as a potential 50-60 goalkicker (in a season) if he has a bit of luck and stays healthy.”

McGuane said Reynolds medallist Andrew Browne had impressed since returning to the club.

The gun big man last played for the Blues in 2018 before crossing to junior club Mansfield as playing coach.

Andrew Browne is back at Keilor. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

“The Browne influence coming back has been positive for the group, good for the competition,” McGuane said.

“We recruited him just under a decade ago and he was the best ruckman in the comp, and he wants to come back and leave his mark in the twilight stages of his footy life.

“When you look at him and watch him train, he’s certainly embraced that.”

Half-back flanker Darcy Cassar has also returned to Keilor after he was overlooked in the 2019 AFL National Draft.

Cassar spent three seasons at Western Jets and is pushing for a spot in the senior side for the Blues’ traditional Good Friday clash against Strathmore on April 2 at Joe Brown Oval.

“We know he’s not far away from playing senior footy at our club,” McGuane said.

“He just brings some real electricity with his speed and his kicking is continually improving, as is his decision making.

“Whether he starts in the seniors from the first game, it’s really up to him with how he performs.”

2020 recruits Luke Cartelli and Paul Sahlberg have re-committed, while stars Nick O’Kearney and Jesse Wallin missed the 2019 grand final through injury, leaving McGuane with plenty of pleasant selection headaches.

Keilor has lost Damien Cavka (Deer Park) and Brock McGregor (Caroline Springs) to Western Region league clubs, while Zak Wunhym has crossed to Hillside.

“We’ve had some players depart for one reason or another, but generally speaking, our retention’s good and our numbers are extremely healthy,” McGuane said.

“The players, considering the year off, have come back in pretty good nick.”

The Blues completed an undefeated season two years ago, knocking off rival Aberfeldie in the grand final.