How Airport West ended local footy’s longest winning streak

Airport West ended Keilor’s winning streak in incredible fashion but it wasn’t without its challenges on the injury front. Coach Brent Taylor on what happened and the pair who combined for over 100 touches.

Brendan Godden was sensational in the win. Picture : George Salpigtidis

“One of the great days at The Nest”.

Those were the words Airport West’s Facebook page used to Saturday’s win over Keilor, 13.16 (94) to 11.15 (81).

In the process, the Eagles ended the Blues’ 731-day winning streak and kept their own finals chances still alive, trailing fifth place Greenvale by half-a-game with two rounds left to play.

“Super proud of the group,” Airport West coach Brent Taylor said.

“We had been building towards this. We had been building our game plan, building our connection as a group. We had shown it all in glimpses but to do it against a side of that quality is incredibly pleasing.”

Taylor said heading into the game he felt winning the ball at the contest would be pivotal to the outcome of the contest.

Led by midfield guns Matt Hanson and Tyson Young, who had over 100 disposals between them, the Eagles burst out of the blocks in the first term with six goals to three.

“We thought if we could take the clearance and contest and get the ball quickly, we would really give ourselves a chance,” Taylor said.

“Our pressure around the footy was sensational, it came from the 18 guys who started on the field. Matt and Tyson showed the connection I spoke about, they’ve really developed throughout the year and it was there for everyone to see.

“Christian Mazza and Brendan Godden played really selfless roles in the middle. Our backline was really strong.

“At the end of the day, it took 22 blokes to get us across the line.”

Ned Gentile was injured in the game. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Already knowing it was facing its biggest challenge since its Premier Division return last season, the second quarter threw up even more challenges.

After kicking three goals and recording 13 disposals in the first quarter, Ned Gentile was forced off the ground for the rest of the game.

Josh Buchanan also limped from the ground with a rolled ankle.

“To be able to be resilient and able to hold off their scoring opportunities spoke a lot about how far we have come as a group,” Taylor said.

Keilor coach Mick McGuane lamented his side’s start to the game in his segment on the club’s social media channels.

“We lost our first game for the year against a very competitive, combative and disciplined Airport West,” he said.

“We had our chances at various stages of the game, especially late in the game. We probably dropped some easy opportunities in marking contests but some of our entry was appalling.

“We have to get to work on that because that’s an aspect of the game in the last two weeks which has been really disappointing.”

Airport West will face Deer Park and Pascoe Vale to finish the home-and-away season with its finals hopes still alive.

“We haven’t really been discussing other results, more so the process we’ve been building on,” Taylor said.

“We found out earlier in the season, if you’re off your game you’ll get beaten. I will be selling the message to the boys each game is bigger than the last.”

Keilor will aim to bounce back against Greenvale in McGuane’s 300th game as coach.