Why Keilor felt it was primed for the grand final

Keilor powered away in the second half of the EDFL grand final on Saturday and it all came down to months of planning. Here’s why.

As time ticked by in the Essendon District Football League Premier Division it felt like just a matter of time before Keilor would break away.

That moment came in the third quarter when the Blues stepped up a gear and a valiant Strathmore simply couldn’t match it.

What followed was a demonstration of why the Mick McGuane coached side eventually finished the 2023 season as premiers and champions.

The end scoreline read 20.7 (127) to 11.9 (75) in Keilor’s favour with much of the last quarter a celebration for one of local footy’s most dominant teams of the year.

Strathmore trailed by just 18 points at the main break but 12 goals to five after halftime was a true indication of the difference between the two sides.

Keilor players before the EDFL Premier Division grand final. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“I thought our defence was superb especially in the second quarter where Strathmore were able to control of some the territory,” McGuane said.

“At halftime, we tweaked a couple of things and the game opened up because of what we were able to change and get it working in our favour.

“The preparation phase we had gone through about eight weeks before the grand final, when we knew we were going to finish on top, came to fruition. Lots of people questioned whether one game in a month might hurt us but we planned for that.

“We felt our program was always going to hold us in good stead.”

Blues captain Kane Barbuto was named the best player on the ground but it easily could have gone to a handful of Keilor players.

Nick O’Kearney racked up touches at ease, gathering 40 touches, while Matt Clark finished with five goals including three in the first term.

Brad Xavier was a key in defence while Jay White was locked in an intriguing battle with Strathmore star Tom Condon who booted four.

Keilor’s Nathan Colenso celebrates a goal. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Firstly, they’re just great fellas,” McGuane said of Barbuto and O’Kearney.

“They’ve been faced with two different scenarios as well. Kane is now a two-time premiership captain of unbeaten sides and has had a lot of luck with fitness which he works hard on.

“O’Kearney has missed out on a couple of occasions, he’s had to come back from his own injury issues including a bad neck injury. It’s a credit to how resilient he is.”

Even when it was clear Keilor would be lifting the cup in the last quarter, one of the most impressive parts of their performance was the team first mentality.

Whenever an opportunity presented itself to give the ball to a teammate in a better position they would.

“I’ve said to the boys all year, individuals contribute and teams win premierships,” McGuane said.

“They certainly understand that. They’re a selfless group that have all brought into that to help 22 men get medals around their neck.”

Keilor’s Darcy Cassar. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Looking to next year, there’s already plenty of reason why Keilor won’t start 2024 as the premiership favourites again.

“We’re always looking to improve,” McGuane said.

“We didn’t have Damien Cavka play on the day, Stefan Radovanovic could be back with us and he walks into that side. Keighton Matofai-Forbes is another young guy who started the season really well and is another year older.

“Then there’s some talented juniors coming through as well. We’ve got players in the Coates League and whatever they decide to do next we will support.

“There’s other pieces of the jigsaw we’ll need to work out.”