Mick McGuane hands Keilor debuts to son Tom and Oskar Smartt

Mick McGuane’s son, Thomas, made an impressive start to life as a Keilor player on debut while another AFL hopeful caught the eye in another big win. The Blues coach opens up on their performances.

Mick McGuane and son Tom after the young gun made his senior debut for Keilor.

Mick McGuane has done just about everything at Keilor.

From unbeaten premiership seasons to helping develop AFL footballers, but the opportunity to hand his son, Thomas, a senior debut for the Blues is sure to rank among his favourite memories.

Tom is a father-son prospect for Collingwood in the 2025 AFL Draft and has enjoyed a strong Coates Talent League season so far and with the Western Jets having the week off it gave him an opportunity to return to local level.

He made an instant impression with three goals and a mention in the best as Keilor recorded a thumping 27.12 (174) to 4.3 (27) win over EDFL Premier Division rivals Essendon Doutta Stars.

McGuane reflected on the opportunity to hand his son a chance in a side which hasn’t lost since the start of the 2023 season.

“It was the chance to wear two hats I suppose,” he said.

“As a father you are of proud of your boy and watch his journey and the dreams they have. The time you spend in the car together talking footy and all of a sudden you get a chance to share that moment of a boy living his dream and the chance to turn it into reality is pretty special.

“But you also have got the coach’s hat on. We’ve got the responsibility of another 21 players in that team on that day.

“You’ve got to coach strongly, with equality and understanding that he’s just part of the team in that situation.”

McGuane wasn’t the only AFL hopeful to make his debut either with Essendon VFL small forward Oskar Smartt turning out for the Blues for the first time.

Smartt had been touted as a potential selection in the recent Mid-Season Draft but went unselected.

A product of Leitchville-Gunbower, who plays in the Heathcote District league in northern Victoria, he booted five goals and was named among the better players.

“It was a pretty influential performance from the young country lad,” McGuane said.

“He’s been in some good form in the VFL and it was nice to get him into the side.”

Oskar Smartt. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Blair Jackson

While the young guns might have captured the headlines, three ex-AFL players also made their presence felt as Keilor’s winning streak stretched to 29 games.

Corey Ellis was named the best player on the ground, former Essendon tall Cody Brand kicked four and ex-Blue Josh Honey continued his impressive season.

“Cody has given us a strong focal point in front of the ball,” McGuane said.

“He’s a boy that didn’t have a pre-season with us either, so he’s a late starter but he’s going to be a really good acquisition in the back half of the year.

“He’s playing good footy on the back of enjoyment. Corey is ultra professional. He’s got an inner drive to compete, which a lot of people probably don’t see. He’s playing really well and is really important for us.

“Honey is just going to get better and better. I thought he started a little slower yesterday but he certainly got to work after halftime.”

Keilor will next face Deer Park.