By Luke Mathews
STRATHMORE 7.7 (49) def. by KEILOR 16.8 (104)
MATCH CENTRE
Keilor has come out on top in a blockbuster Good Friday clash, defeating Strathmore by 55 points at Lebanon Reserve.
The win maintains the Blues' perfect record of as well as extending their unbeaten run in Good Friday games to six.
Despite showing some positive signs, Strathmore didn’t have the firepower forward of the ball to match Keilor and were made to pay with its first defeat of 2025.
Superstar Chris Kosmas continued his hot form claiming his second Horne Tobin Medal for best on ground.
It was a case of déjà vu at Lebanon Reserve with the sharpshooter kicking six goals for the second year in a row to take his season tally to 19.
The number 22 had some tough competition for the medal with Kyle O’Connor finding plenty of the footy, while Brad Xavier was a brick wall in defence.
Veteran Liam Cavanagh was the home side’s best, standing tall in the backline for most of the day before bobbing up late to kick a much-needed goal.
Coach Mick McGuane was delighted with how his side played the conditions, scoring heavily into the wind in their first quarter and defending strongly in the second to keep Strathmore at bay.
After an early stalemate and both sides struggling to adjust to the windy conditions, Harvey Wilkes booted the first of the day following a Mores turnover.
The Blues got their mojo going when Corey Ellis sailed through a checkside from the boundary for one of the goals of the day.
Kosmas registered Keilor’s third soon after when he got boot to ball in congestion, and the Blues were quick to pounce on an errant Chris Scerri kick that landed in Wilkes' lap.
In desperate need of a goal, Ben Holian snapped through the Mores' first, but the joy was short lived as Cody Brand goaled after he received a holding the ball free kick.
The Blues went coast to coast for their sixth, with Christian Olivieri getting on the end of some brilliant team footy.
Ryan Brodie put through the first of the second term, however Strathmore struggled to make the most of the wind and they were made to pay when Brand got boot to ball for his second.
Strathmore was rewarded for its effort when Tom Denning kicked its third from the goal square, but couldn’t find another one before the main break and were left trailing by 25 points.
A quiet 17 minutes ensued to open the third term before Kosmas broke the deadlock finding space inside 50 from a quick transition.
Kosmas wasn’t finished there, kicking his third and fourth in quick succession to break the game wide open.
Mitch Purcell snapped the run of three straight Keilor goals when he ran into an open goal.
The Blues were able to capitalise late to take a 43-point lead into the final change.
Any hope of a miraculous comeback was put to bed when Matthew Barlett booted the first of the last.
Egglestone responded shortly after but his side couldn’t make the most of the momentum as Kosmas went back to kick his fifth and sixth goals.
Jamie Papalia and Kane Barbuto joined in on the action after quiet afternoons with their first halfway through the final term, before Harry Ryan and Cavanagh gave Strathmore some late joy.
Both sides will put their feet up on the weekend before returning to the action when Keilor take on rivals Aberfeldie at Clifton Park, while Strathmore will face East Keilor.
By Ben Parker
HILLSIDE 13.14 (92) def. by ST ALBANS 21.12 (138)
MATCH CENTRE
St Albans have sent Hillside into a 0-3 slump after their convincing 46-point Good Friday win over the Sharks.
The Saints took control early with a four-goal lead at quarter time and maintained this control for the remainder of the match.
An even second quarter between the two sides suggested that a cracking second half was brewing.
However, St Albans steadied and recorded a 12-goal second half to put away a tiring Hillside.
With another loss here, the Sharks have been left searching for answers as they sit in vastly unfamiliar territories, one spot away from the bottom of the ladder.
Meanwhile, the Saints are flying and have propelled themselves to the top of the competition.
St Albans had 13 individual goal kickers on the day.
Mason Dipetta was exceptional against his old side booting five goals to go along with eight score involvements in what was a match-defining individual performance.
Around the ground for the Saints, Tom Eckel was strong again with 29 disposals and seven clearances, while Alex Tsia chipped in with two goals of his own and six goal involvements from 18 disposals, also against his old side.
For the Sharks, it what was ultimately another disappointing day, some strong individual performances can shed some light on the gloomy reality of another loss.
Vice captain Josh Covelli recaptured some of his best form with a bag of six goals, while Robbie Castello was another solid contributor.
Both sides have a week off but then return the following week.
St Albans will travel to Lionheart Reserve to tackle Taylors Lakes in an enticing clash. Meanwhile, it gets no easier for Hillside as they visit Canning Reserve to take on an in-form Avondale Heights.
By Eliza Duncan
KEILOR PARK 10.11 (71) def. COBURG DISTRICTS 5.10 (40)
MATCH CENTRE
Keilor Park picked up its first win of the season with a 31-point victory over Coburg Districts on Good Friday.
The return of this fixture saw several premiership Devils lining up for the Lions in what was a tense contest for most of the day, before the Devils kicked away.
In typically difficult conditions at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve on a windy day, both sides struggled to get a run on.
Keilor Park led by 14 points at the final change before scoring eight times from nine entries in the last quarter to break the game open.
Sam Pontin may have lost the ruck battle, but he was dominant around the ground with 30 disposals, 12 marks, and seven intercepts.
Brother Jarod was also incredibly impactful kicked a whopping seven goals out of his side's 10.
Mitch Meredith was vital defensively with 12 intercepts, while Nick Nesci (23 disposals) and Nick Kilty (21 disposals, eight clearances) contributed well.
Ian Fisher dominated the hit outs for Coburg Districts recording 69, while James Mifsud (28 disposals, eight rebound 50s) and Luke Viska (20 disposals, 12 tackles) were strong in the loss.
The Lions will return to ANZAC Day action against Burnside Heights in their next contest, while Keilor Park will prepare for Northern Saints.
