EDFL: Keilor coach Mick McGuane enjoys monster weekend

Keilor is on track for a top-two finish after overcoming East Keilor in an thrilling clash on Saturday in what was a huge weekend for their senior coach.

If Keilor finishes in the top-two it certainly would have earned it.

The Essendon District league powerhouse maintained its place in second spot on the Premier Division ladder with a hard fought 8.10 (58) to 5.14 (44) win over East Keilor on Saturday.

But it wasn’t anything like you’d be expecting to see from Mick McGuane’s side come finals time.

They got down and dirty in a game plagued by “tough conditions” as other games in the division were called off due to the weather.

“It was a tough game there’s no doubt about that,” McGuane said.

“In some games of footy because of the external factors out of your control you have to roll up your sleeves and go to work. They were playing for their season so it was always going to be a hard contest.

“I thought we saw two contrasting styles — they looked to go long down the line and we looked to feed off the turnover game. I felt we controlled the ascendancy for most of the game.

“Our will and want to play a strong territory game was critical.”

Nicholas O'Kearney produced a big final quarter for Keilor. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Nick Kearney’s final quarter performance left McGuane impressed as he kicked two of the Blues’ last three goals.

One came from a 50m penalty while he was later in the right place at the right time finishing off a chain of Keilor handballs to kick truly on the run.

“I thought he was clearly our best player for the day,” McGuane said.

“He reads the game so well and knows when he’s going to be able to impact a contest.”

Key defender Brad Xavier played a strong role in his side’s win despite his opponent, East Keilor coach Tim Bongetti, finishing the afternoon with four goals.

Jay White, Billy Johnson, Todd Stevenson and Jack Brown were also among Keilor’s better players.

Meanwhile, Brandon Coletta and Tristan Mancuso were among the players to impress for the Cougars.

“Brad has had a terrific year,” McGuane said.

“I thought it was a game of two halves between him and Bongetti. Brad probably lost the first half but he took some really telling marks in the third quarter, it was an exception effort after halftime.

Keilor sits second on the ladder. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Bongetti kicked a brilliant goal in the last and you can’t take that away from him. It was a good battle between an emerging centre-half back and a player who is in the later stages of his career.

“It was a good experience for him to play on a natural forward who is always a good test for opposition defenders.”

Saturday was just the start of a busy weekend for McGuane who led the Blues’ under 16s Division 1 side to premiership glory on Sunday.

They overcame Westmeadows 7.4 (46) to 5.6 (36) in a hard fought contest at Glenroy’s Sewell Reserve.

Both sides were again faced with tricky conditions.

Keilor won the under 16 division 1 premiership.

Riley Ciacic, Brodie Catania, Patrick Lim, Tom McGuane, Astin Hewett and Lawrence Cassar were named in Keilor’s best players.

“Our boys were really good,” McGuane said.

“Westmeadows have got a great group of young players, they’re well coached and I look forward to seeing how they develop as senior players eventually.

“The game was played on one side of the ground because of the wind, it was like a game of tennis in a way. Our halfbacks would get it and it would come straight back from theirs.

“We had eight bottom age players in that side and it bodes well for the future of that group. We’re always thinking about the future of the club.

“The club also had the under 12 boys and under 16 girls play in grand finals but unfortunately they lost.”