EDFL: Returning stars fire Keilor to big win against Aberfeldie
Several stars who returned to Keilor in 2023 played a big role as the Blues sent a message to the rest of the EDFL with a win over Aberfeldie as an injury played a role in turning the game.
Essendon
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Keilor appears to be the team to beat in the Essendon District league in 2023.
The Blues have emerged from a tough opening month to the season with a perfect record.
A 14.17 (101) to 7.9 (51) victory over last season’s runner-up, Aberfeldie, was the cherry on top of an impressive start to their premiership challenge.
In the first four weeks, coach Mick McGuane and his side have also accounted for competition newcomers Airport West, Pascoe Vale and reigning premier Strathmore.
Despite a comfortable win on Saturday afternoon, the experienced McGuane isn’t allowing his players to get too far ahead of themselves.
Instead he used the opportunity to suggest why Aberfeldie still has plenty of room for improvement.
“Really pleasing result and come to Aberfeldie and win by 50 points,” he said in Mick’s Minute posted to Keilor’s Facebook page.
“We know that both clubs have great talent and pretty good depth at their disposal. Sometimes in footy you play a high quality opposition that’s deprived of that talent.
“That was the case for Aberfeldie. They had a lot of good players not available due to injury or unavailability. (And) they lost (Victor) Carboni in the first quarter which probably hurt their midfield structure.
“I thought they dominated that aspect of the game in the first 30-minute stanza. We got smashed at the centre bounce and lost territory because of that.
“We played the game from the back half which wasn’t ideal.
“But after some tinkering with personnel and structure, we changed that from quarter-time onwards, I thought we were the much better team.”
After leading by just a point at the first change, Keilor were able to break the game open especially forward of centre.
Matthew Clark, last season’s leading goalkicker, lead the way with three majors while Campbell Gray, Kane Barbuto and Kyle O’Connor also kicked two apiece.
Returning premiership player Riley Ham produced his best performance of the season while Harrison Kennedy, Brett Stillman and Corey Ellis also impressed.
Speaking about his side’s efforts in front of goal, McGuane said the margin could have been greater.
“I probably think we left five or six goals out there,” he said.
“Our conversion for goal wasn’t great, something we’ll have to tidy up, because you can’t afford to do that and miss opportunities in the first 30 minutes of play.
“That’s something we’ll seriously work on.”
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