By MICHAEL HABER
EAST Keilor cruised into the Strathmore Community Bank Division 2 Grand Final with a solid 58-point victory over Moonee Valley last Saturday.
The nature of the victory sent out a huge message to Roxburgh Park with East Keilor looking to have already fixed the issues they faced when they played the Magpies two weeks ago.
Moonee Valley got off to a good start, kicking the first two goals.
The Fog looked to be in control early whereas East Keilor still didn’t look like they were ready to play.
Moonee Valley were attacking well and were hitting many of their targets but East Keilor started to catch up as the quarter went on.
A soccer goal from Dillon James really got the ball rolling for East Keilor. Thanks to their fast start Moonee Valley went into the first change three-point leaders.
The second quarter was where East Keilor upped their ante.
The Cougars piled on five goals to two in that quarter.
Peter Tsavdaridis turned on his jets throughout the quarter and provided some much needed pace.
The Cougar midfield was able to run and carry the ball well and didn’t let Moonee Valley have much of the ball.
A highlight for the Fog was a great solo goal by Jake McKenzie, in which he ducked and weaved through a pack to slot a goal from 20 metres out.
The effective ball usage from the Cougars gave them a 20-point lead going into the second half.
After staying with East Keilor in the first two quarters, the third quarter was when it all went wrong for Moonee Valley.
The Cougar midfield was proving too strong for the Fog and the rare times the ball went forward, the Moonee Valley forwards were beaten in their contests by the strong East Keilor defence.
The game did become more physical as tensions rose in the Moonee Valley camp but East Keilor kept their focus and continued playing great football.
A demanding quarter from East Keilor put them in the box seat for the final quarter, going into the last break with a 34-point lead.
Geoff Whelan kicked the first two goals of the final quarter to all but cement the Cougars’ spot in the Grand Final.
It was almost as if East Keilor had reversed their role from the week before.
They were the ones now attacking and hitting their man and commanding possession and their final quarter five-goal flurry left Moonee Valley in the dust.
It was a disappointing end to the season for Moonee Valley as they had led the competition in the first half of the year and continued to play well throughout the season.
East Keilor on the other hand sent a clear message out to Roxburgh Park, however.
The final margin could serve as a warning that they will not let the Magpies walk all over them in the Grand Final and that they will be the team to beat.
EAST KEILOR | 17.9-111
Goal Kickers: P. Tsavdaridis 3, L. Conidi 3, B. Lucas 2, G. Whelan 2, D. James 2, V. Madaffari, D. Wakefield, R. Balla, M. Galcin, J. Napoli
Best Players: P. Tsavdaridis, G. Whelan, R. Balla, D. Lysaght, J. Carey
MOONEE VALLEY | 7.11-53
Goal Kickers: N. Wilson 2, D. O''Connell, J. Covelli, B. Padmore, C. Needs, J. McKenzie
Best Players: N. Wilson, B. Padmore, T. Gleisner, J. Moussa, J. McKenzie, R. Gleisner
