Keilor prevail over Avondale Heights to make the finals cut in EDFL

IT WAS a simple equation for Keilor on Saturday — win and play finals, lose and rely on Greenvale going down to Maribyrnong Park.

EDFL Football: Keilor v Strathmore at Keilor Recreation Reserve Keilor Keilor coach Mick McGuane Picture: Richard Serong

IT WAS a simple equation for Keilor on Saturday — win and play finals, lose and rely on Greenvale going down to Maribyrnong Park.

Greenvale didn’t lose to Maribyrnong Park, they won by nine points.

But Keilor pulled off a major upset to take down top-two side Avondale Heights, making the finals cut with a 15.12 (102) to 12.17 (89) triumph.

It was a welcome return to form after the Blues had been on the wrong end of a 46-point defeat at the hands of Greenvale a week earlier.

“The boys were magnificent,” Keilor coach Mick McGuane said.

“We failed seven days ago but we responded this week.”

Just four points separated the sides at the final change, the home side with the narrow advantage at Keilor Recreation Reserve.

At the same time Greenvale was trailing Maribyrnong Park by seven points as it entered the final term.

But knowing his side’s destiny was in its hands, McGuane said he did not give a thought to the Jets’ result.

And the experienced coach gave a stirring three-quarter-time address.

“It was just about finding a way,” he said.

“Over the journey of a footy season there’s a lot of ups and downs, a lot of ­sacrifice, a lot of hurt.

“There’s a lot of desperation required to get what you really want and that’s to play in September.

“I said, more or less, ‘do you want to be a part of the also-rans or do you want to be a part of the elite group?’ We had a decision to make.”

A three-goal-to-two final term sealed the deal for the Blues, setting up a semi-final against Aberfeldie this ­Sunday at Windy Hill.

The two sides last met in Round 15, the Abers getting away with a 58-point win.

And McGuane admitted his side would be up against it as it attempts to turn the tables this weekend.

“They’re a very good footy team as we know. They’ve got plenty of talent at their disposal,” he said.

“But obviously during the home-and-away season as much as you want to win, you’re probably not going to show your hand as much as you want to. We’ll look at what’s the best offensive and defensive modes to put in place to counteract their strengths in a lot of lines.

“So we’ve got some work to do as coaches.”

McGuane has penned a new two-year deal with Keilor, tying him to the club until 2016. He is currently in his seventh season as coach.

“Considering where the group’s at demographically and the home grown talent in the team, it’s very hard to walk away from what you know is about to be produced,” McGuane said.