Keilor’s hot form continued with the Blues victory against Aberfeldie in Essendon District Football League premier division.
Coming into the match on the back of six straight wins, the Blues continued that form against another side looking to play finals.
On a special day, with both teams wearing jerseys for NAIDOC Week, it was the Blues who came out on top.
After an even first half, the Blues found another level, to win 20-9 (129)-12.12 (84).
Blues coach Mick McGuane said was a great contest played in the right spirit.
For him the most pleasing thing, was the score that they were able to put on the board.
“Speaking to other Keilor people, they can’t remember the last time we kicked 20 goals against Aberfeldie at Aberfeldie,” he said.
“To kick 11 second half goals is really positive. We had 11 goal kickers and even though Dean Galea kicked seven goals, we had other avenues to goal.
“To kick 100 points against the best defence in the competition is a really good effort.”
Nick O’Kearney continued his good form and was named the Blue’s best for a third straight week.
McGuane said O’Kearney was starting to find his love of football again, after two years in the AFL system without playing an AFL game.
“How he didn’t play an AFL game surprises me,” he said.
“I was shocked that he wasn’t given at least one , since they had invested two years into him, have a look at him. He was averaging 27 possessions at VFL level.
“His work rate is good, he wins his own ball and uses the ball creatively.
“He’s the best junior in my time at Keilor.”
The other standout was Galea. The forward kicked seven goals in a dominant performance.
McGuane set he set the tone in the first half.
“He had three ex-AFL players as opponents,” he said.
“He played on [Josh] Toy, [Luke] Davis and Mark [Austin], so credit to him. Dean maybe could have had more had we not taken him off.”
The win in the Blues seventh straight, having been sitting 3-3 at one stage.
McGuane said with the competition so close, every game had been like a mini final for them.
He said with several key personnel missing several games, they had been forced to play some younger players and it had paid off.
“We got Brock McGregor as a succession plan,” he said.
“He’s a 19-year-old ruckman who has got an opportunity with Andrew Browne’s injury.
“He’s shouldering 85 per cent of the ruck responsibility. We’ve had to fast track him.
“Joel Sadler, Bradley Xavier and Ben McManus have all played some strong football.
“This guys have been given an opportunity and grabbed it.”
The Blues sit second, with the top three teams all equal on points.
Just six points separates the top five teams.
McGuane said they were happy with how they were going, but had to step it up a level.
“We’ve kept our season alive by our seven game winning streak,” he said.
“We had to get off to a flyer on the second round of games.
“We’ve got serious work to do, but I’m comfortable with the way we are playing.
“The guys are thick as thieves and enjoying their football.”
The Blues look likely to get a number of key players back in the next few weeks.
McGuane said the likes Browne, Damien Cavka and Michael Tanner are set in return in the next few weeks.
He said it would give them a few selection headaches and put pressure on for spots.
