EDFL: Pascoe Vale into Premier Division preliminary final with win over Keilor
Pascoe Vale kept its dream of a 66-year first alive after beating Keilor in the EDFL Premier Division semi-final with coach Digby Morrell excited about what’s ahead.
Essendon
Don't miss out on the headlines from Essendon. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Pascoe Vale is one step closer to breaking a very long drought.
The Panthers have not won a top division premiership since 1946 when it played in the Victorian Football League Sub-District Competition.
But they’re now just two wins away after claiming a 10.13 (73) to 7.14 (56) win over Keilor in the Essendon District League first semi-final.
Sunday’s win has now set up a date with Strathmore in the Premier Division preliminary final at Highgate Recreation Reserve.
Pascoe Vale’s last premiership came in 2011 when the club was promoted from B Grade, now known as Division 1.
“We’re breaking new ground for our footy club and the boys are really enjoying that,” Morrell said.
“Winning is great especially at this time of the season when momentum is absolutely everything. We got a lot of confidence from the Round 18 game against Keilor.
“We learnt a lot from that and the boys were fantastic in bringing the same level of pressure to the contest.
“Super proud of what we’ve been able to do so far but there’s still so much to play for.”
Keilor was left to rue poor goalkicking after taking a nine-point lead into quarter time as they soon found themselves down by 20 at the main break.
Again, they continued to kick poorly in the third as the Panthers extended their lead to 36 points at the final change.
Despite a late push from the Blues, Morrell’s side were able to hold on — kicking five behinds themselves in the last quarter.
“The goalkicking was a little bit frustrating and we spoke about it after the game,” he said.
“One more goal probably would have been enough to finish them off but full credit to Keilor for the way they were able to finish the game.”
With Nick Linton unavailable due to a hip complaint, Ben McDonnell returned to the Panthers’ defence for the first time since Round 12.
He produced a magnificent display to hold Keilor star Dean Galea goalless.
“He’s just how to bide his time in the reserves and his form warranted a recall when Nick was out,” Morrell said.
“He’s the best runner at the club and we thought he was the right match up for Galea. It was a great game. I thought Lachie Stredwick was excellent in defence as well.
“Opposition teams are having to put a bit more time into him as a key defender now.”
Dan Guccione led the way with three goals for the Panthers while Matt Clark finished with two of his own for Keilor.
Morrell sung the praises of Guccione and Matthew Watson for their performances.
“Those boys gave us a good target as they have all year,” he said.
“Our midfield of Ben Allan, Liam Ogden and Errol McConnell were excellent as well. They battled hard all day against a real quality opposition.”
Todd Stevenson and Nick O’Kearney were named in the better players for Keilor.
Ranked: The ex-AFL players who lit up local footy this year
From the bush to the ‘burbs, former AFL players thrilled local football crowds across all corners of the state this year. We’ve named the best – and ranked the top 15. See who heads the list.
Every signing of the EDFL off-season
The EDFL off-season has only just started but some clubs have already well and truly started making moves for 2025. Keep up to date with every signing in our signing tracker.