Keilor narrowly overcomes Strathmore to keep its winning streak alive

Keilor maintained the longest winning streak in Victorian local footy but it wasn’t without a major scare. Here’s how it played out and coach Mick McGuane’s verdict on the performance.

Kane Barbuto of Keilor. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Local footy’s longest winning streak remains alive but not without a bit of luck according to Keilor coach Mick McGuane.

The Blues extended their streak to 33 matches, dating back to the start of the 2023 season, after holding on for a two-point win over EDFL Premier Division rivals Strathmore on Saturday.

It was by far the closest anyone has got to McGuane’s side this season with their previous smallest winning margin 41 points against Pascoe Vale a week earlier.

Both games were played in wet and wild conditions.

“We were lucky today, they were unlucky,” McGuane said.

“It was a great game of footy. Two good clubs going head-to-head.

“Could have gone anyone’s game by game’s end.”

Christos Kosmas gave Keilor the lead late in the game with a clever snap as the Blues were able to overcome a three-quarter-time deficit, the first time they have faced one this season.

But when Mitch Purcell had the opportunity to win the game for the Mores, his set shot sailed wide.

Speaking on his Mick’s Minute segment on Keilor’s social media channels, McGuane was full of credit for the opposition.

He lamented his own side’s application to the contest.

Jay White handballs. Photo: Andrew Batsch

“I thought Strathmore were fantastic for most of the game,” he said.

“I thought the pressure and intensity they brought to the contest was far superior to ours for the most part. I thought we got the ascendancy early in the first half (and) were highly efficient once the ball went inside 50 and held sway at halftime.

“I thought their workrate, they outhunted, they outworked us particularly around the coalface. Their clearance game was far superior to ours.

“Their anticipation to get after the loose footy was much better than us and on the back of that we gave up territory and our backs were left wanting.

“And that’s the reason why we gave away 5.4 in that all important third (quarter).”

McGuane’s side are all but assured of finishing top of the ladder sitting three games clear with a month to play.

Strathmore finds itself in a race for the top-two and double chance with the weekend’s result seeing it slip back into third after Pascoe Vale overcame Greenvale.

James Bailey, Josh Honey, Corey Ellis, Jermarl Daly, William McKenzie and Bradley Xavier were all named in the best for Keilor.

Liam Cavanagh, Kade Mueller, Trent Dumont and Brock Egglestone were among those who performed strongly for Strathmore.