EDFL: Mick McGuane’s Keilor deliver ultimate round 1 statement

After an off-season hampered by salary cap breaches, Mick McGuane’s Keilor delivered an almighty statement to start the season. Here’s why they might be even better.

Keilor made a dominant start to the season. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Even Keilor coach Mick McGuane was able to enjoy parts of his side’s opening round win over Deer Park.

The Blues produced a 139-point drubbing on Saturday afternoon which reaffirmed their Essendon District Football League Premier Division premiership favouritism this season.

The third term in particular was a major warning to the rest of the competition as the Blues kicked 11 goals to one.

“We implored we needed to be strong at the contest early, which we were. We got good territory on the back of that and I thought we were very efficient going inside 50, hence the reason as to why we kicked six goals to one in the first quarter and that definitely set up the game,” McGuane said.

“Bit of an arm wrestle in the second term, they lifted their intensity and work rate.

“Then the floodgates opened. We spoke about a couple of things we had to get right, particularly around stoppage at half time. And to the boys’ credit, we certainly implored that and put it into action.

“We kicked 11 goals in that term and it was just champagne footy to watch. And then in the last quarter it was a bit of a dead rubber because the game was done and dusted but we still found a way to kick seven goals to close out the game.”

McGuane said he was pleased for his side to get off to such a strong start after a rollercoaster off-season.

“More than satisfying result in round 1, you go into it knowing full well you back your program and you’re going to be competitive from the outset,” he said on Mick’s Minute, posted on Keilor’s socials.

“But coming up against a quality opposition like Deer Park, you just don’t know how it will unfold.

“I thought in terms of what we asked of our players, I thought we got what we wanted.”

EARLIER

Arriving at Joe Brown Oval on Saturday afternoon, you felt it was just another day of business for the Keilor Football Club.

Back in action after a rollercoaster off-season, in which it was stripped of the 2023 premiership for salary breaches, there was a sense Mick McGuane’s side meant business.

McGuane was calm. He spent the entire last quarter of the reserves game watching from the sidelines, interacting with the club’s community. There was no address for his troops, he simply knew after months of pre-season the first siren was all which was needed to flick the switch.

As last year’s premiership flag was raised the seniors and reserves (who won 216-1 on Saturday) stood arm-in-arm, with coaches and officials.

This is clearly a club united who were ready to remind everyone of their powerhouse status in suburban football.

There were no jeers from rival supporters or Deer Park. Just warm applause to mark the occasion.

It only took 30 minutes of footy for McGuane’s side to show why it will again take some beating – leading by 33 points at the first break. The advantage grew to 47 points by halftime.

Keilor went up a gear after the main break, booting 11 goals to one in the third. In the end the Blues ran out 29.20 (194) to 8.7 (55) winners.

Deer Park, like so many before in the last two seasons, looked a step behind. Keilor was in a class of its own.

Keilor lines up for the 2024 premiership flag unfurling. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Senior debuts were handed to Liam Hude Lachie McArthur and Christian Oliveri while Jamie Papalia returned after two years with Donald. Former Carlton player Josh Honey, Will Burke, Harvey Wilkes and Harrison Kennedy didn’t play in the senior grand final side. Those are the names wanting a medal around their neck at the end of the season.

Off the field, Keilor is only getting stronger.

The clubrooms are under renovation and nearing completion, any club would love for those to be their home off the field.

Throw in the co-tenants Keilor Cricket Club. Last month it signed Sri Lanka international Dimuth Karunaratne and he was there taking in what’s an unfamiliar game and meeting his new club mates with a cold Carlton Draught in hand.

Take one thing away from the first Saturday of the season and it might be Keilor is stronger than it was before.