EDFL scores: Keilor Park in finals contention after Division 2 win
After a barren run which included a season in recess in 2018, the Devils sit in fourth spot at the halfway mark after a crucial win in Round 9.
Essendon
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Keilor Park’s revival is gathering momentum with the Essendon District Football League Division 2 club securing a vital victory on Saturday.
The Devils defeated 2019 preliminary finalist Burnside Heights by 15 points away from home, leaving it in fourth position with a 4-4 win-loss record at the halfway mark of the home-and-away campaign.
The club has endured no shortage of challenges since it contested finals in 2016 and spent the 2018 season in recess.
While Keilor Park is searching for consistency, it has proven more than competitive under first-year mentor Paul Guicas and is in contention for a finals berth, which would mark a major milestone in its rebuild.
Six clubs are separated by just one game, with a fierce fight for the last two positions looming large.
Moonee Valley and Oak Park have established themselves as the pacesetters in the third tier, while Coburg Districts, the Devils and the Bears are locked on four wins.
Hadfield, East Sunbury and the Saints have all recorded three victories.
“You’ve got to be on the ball and anything can happen,” Guicas said.
“We’ve just got to try and be consistent and work hard to keep the enthusiasm and effort up, and we’re definitely in with a show. (Finals is) the plan hopefully.
“Hopefully that can attract blokes for next year.”
The weekend’s triumph came after a defeat to Northern Saints the previous week provided a “shock to the system”.
The Devils coughed up a 19-point three-quarter-time advantage in the last quarter against Burnside Heights before steadying to win 15.9 (99) to 13.6 (84).
“We had a re-think about we go about things during the week,” Guicas said.
“I brought some old players back to have a chat to them about their effort and their intensity before a game and all that sort of stuff.
“Whether that worked out or not, we played a really great game at Burnside. I was really proud of the boys.
“It’s a big win to get up at Burnside. They’ve got some good footballers there.
“It was really character-building for a young group. It gets a bit of belief into them.”
Teenager Sam Pontin was best afield after shouldering the workload in the ruck with aplomb, while onballer Tyler Killick also shone.
Dimitrios Guicas booted a team-high three majors, while Daylan Kempster (two goals) fired at both ends of the ground.
Keilor Park will next tackle third-ranked Coburg Districts at Cole Reserve.
Guicas noted the Lions would be keen to “get a bit of revenge on us” after the Devils powered to a 47-point victory on Good Friday.
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