By MICHAEL HABER
EAST Keilor recorded its first win for the season in arguably the best match of the EDFL for the day.
The sun was shining at Jacana Reserve and both teams were raring to begin their 2016 campaign.
The first term was a seesawing affair as both teams’ defences worked hard and had many clearances.
Jacana scored early but East Keilor didn’t let them get away.
Late in the term, East Keilor’s Jay Thompson was red-carded following a very tense moment in the middle of the ground.
In a very tight quarter, Jacana managed to make the most of their inside-50s and were leading 22-14 at the first change.
Jacana scored early in the second term to get up to a 14-point lead.
After that goal, something clicked in East Keilor and they began dominating.
Lead by the very vocal CJ Grampsas, East Keilor managed to set up well and send the footy into their forward 50 many times in the first half of the second term.
They found it hard to capitalise on this, though, as their forwards couldn’t score a major, scoring two points before Brendan Lucas kicked the goal that they had been hunting for so long.
Jacana responded instantly through Edward Edis to break the strong East Keilor momentum that had been built during the quarter.
In a game-defining moment which showed just how much heart was in it for both sides, East Keilor’s Geoff Whelan was collected in a collision which forced him off the ground, after a courageous attempt at the ball.
Jacana’s defence worked extremely hard in the quarter and their efforts were rewarded with Jacana managing to stifle East Keilor and get out to a 14-point lead at halftime.
The third quarter was all about East Keilor.
They managed to set up well and didn’t let Jacana anywhere near the footy. The attacking pressure that East Keilor amassed was difficult to handle for Jacana but the Jaguars’ backline worked hard to keep the ball out of the danger zone.
Jacana often broke the pressure to get the ball into their forward half and broke the Cougars’ momentum with a free kick and goal.
East Keilor then attacked with a monster goal from Brendan Lucas outside 50 to get them within a kick at the last change.
The last quarter began with only five points separating the two and East Keilor were the first to strike, getting even with Jacana early in the fourth.
Then began the ultimate seesaw with both teams going goal for goal.
East Keilor then hit the front by a point.
Soon after, Grampsas kicked a captain’s goal on the boundary line to get his side seven points up in the thrilling last quarter.
Jacana’s Chris Johnson was dominating, however, and was keeping his childhood team in the contest.
The Jaguars managed to regain the lead late in the quarter but the Cougars responded to get even again.
The winning score came with a minute and a half left, with a soccered attempt at goal going through for a point for East Keilor.
Jacana managed to surge forward but it was too late with the siren going before they were able to get into a scoring position.
Jacana| 13.10-88
Goal Kickers: C. Johnson 4, E. Edis 3, J. Galizia 2, C. McCawley, S. Cleary, P. Cluney, M. Evans
Best Players: C. Johnson, E. Edis, D. Wolfgramm
East Keilor| 13.11-89
Goal Kickers: S. Ujcich 3, R. Balla 3, B. Lucas 2, C. Grampsas, G. Whelan, D. James, L. McCormack, M. Castaldo
Best Players: S. Eldridge, J. Madden, B. Lucas, L. McCormack, M. Castaldo, R. Balla
