Mick McGuane’s fine moment after Keilor lost grand final to Aberfeldie

HIS side suffered a crushing loss in their premier division grand final on Sunday, but ex-Collingwood champ and Keilor coach Mick McGuane was all class in the dark moments after their defeat.

MUSIC was blaring in Aberfeldie’s changerooms at Windy Hill in the aftermath of the Essendon District Football League club’s premiership triumph on Sunday.

Players were dancing, supporters were hugging and everyone was smiling.

But in the moments after the final siren, co-coach Adam Potter was still calling the shots.

He instructed his players to assemble and turn down the music.

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There was a very good reason for the demand.

Mick McGuane, coach of vanquished Keilor, had made his way over to the opposition’s rooms.

Mick McGuane congratulating @abers_sc in the opposition rooms. Genuine class act. pic.twitter.com/KHIIGbd3s4

— Luke D'Anello (@LukeDAnello) September 16, 2018

The Collingwood premiership player and two-time EDFL flag-winning coach credited Abers’ players for their 61-point victory and told them to enjoy the moment.

When McGuane speaks, people listen.

After talking for a few minutes, he was greeted by several handshakes from Aberfeldie players and supporters, who thanked him for a tremendously classy act after his team’s 61-point grand final loss.

Keilor coach Mick McGuane after Sunday’s grand final loss. Picture: Mark Dadswell

McGuane was on the winning side when Keilor toppled Abers by 29 points in the Premier Division decider in 2016.

But the action underlined his character at a time when the emotions that come with defeat in the showpiece fixture of the season are still raw.

Aberfeldie president John Larkins declared it as “very special and a mark of great sportsmanship”.

“It was a great day for Abers but also a fantastic day for both clubs. It is an intense rivalry but huge respect,” Larkins said.

“There’s such a big gap in feelings on grand final day between the winner and the loser.

“And there’s nothing anyone can change about that, and we have experienced both ends of that spectrum.

“But (on Sunday), both clubs handled themselves with grace, so that’s got to be a good thing.”

While Keilor claimed the minor premiership, Aberfeldie was the superior side on the big stage and bossed the contest from midway through the second term to claim a 17.11 (113) to 7.10 (52) victory.

Mick McGuane congratulates Aberfeldie’s Luke Blackwell, who was best afield. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Star midfielder Luke Blackwell claimed the Reg Rose Medal for best afield for a second consecutive year, adding to his already decorated CV, as his team won the decider by the exact same margin as 2017.

After steering Abers to their third flag in four years, Potter said gaining revenge for their defeat two years ago was not a priority.

“Absolutely not. Got a lot of respect for Keilor and Mick and the way they go about it,” he said.

“They’re a really resilient group. It was a always going to be a tough, tight battle.”