TWO of the top sides over the last five years of Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division went head-to-head for a spot in the grand final on Saturday.
With rain pouring, a greasy, tough, in-and-under style of play was on display… but it made for many extremely big hits and crunching tackles.
Therefore, it was an eye-catching contest.
Aberfeldie’s Hislop brothers Zach and Caleb started the game off with some electric footy.
Both used their quick hands and pace out of clearances, gaining many forward entries, but it was for minimal reward.
Abers dominated the inside 50 count in the first quarter, yet the slippery conditions and sound structure down back from Keilor kept the scores level.
The Blues made the most of their minimal entries.
Keilor’s Luke Hitch was a catalyst for his side’s efficiency out of contests in intense pressure and weather conditions.
With perfect pick-ups, bursting speed out of contests and slick hands, he was the leader when heading forward for Keilor, especially in the first half.
Keilor looked promising to start the second half but in the wet, was unable to control marks and get some decent shots on goal.
However, Andrew Browne was elite and made a mockery of the conditions.
His movement and fitness was Max Gawn-like as he seemed to get in the way of Abers’ plans more often than not.
From great tap work in the ruck to floating back for some big intercept marks, he seemed to always be in the right spot and showed how much of a good decision-maker he is.
Goals were at a premium and the star players stood out above the rest the longer the game went.
Luke Blackwell’s agility and ability to read the taps from either ruckman worked perfectly.
Mick McGuane was forced to tag Blackwell, which seemed to quell his influence toward the end of the third and start of the fourth quarters.
With the game in the balance heading into the last and Keilor low on rotations through injury, the final term was a grind.
A major highlight was the high-powered match-up of Dean Galea vs Ryan Allan.
Galea, the league’s most dominant forward all year, touched Abers up the last time they met.
Here he kicked two goals and took some solid marks but was outshone by Allan, who looked as though he was the only player on the ground playing in dry conditions.
Using his body well one-on-one, Allan was able to gain plenty of intercept marks and used his pace on the rebound, playing in front confidently in defence.
A clutch roving goal late from Keilor skipper Kane Barbuto sent the Blues fans into a frenzy.
Six minutes later, Damien Cavka then followed up with another one to put the Blues five points ahead.
As the final quarter ticked into time-on, Nic Cattapan kicked a crucial goal to restore Aberfeldie’s one-point lead, which was then instantly followed up by another from Jean-Luc Velissaris, sending Aberfeldie through to its sixth successive Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division Grand Final.
KEILOR 6.7-43
Goal Kickers: D. Galea 2, D. Cavka, L. Hitch, M. Clark, K. Barbuto
Best Players: D. Joyce, A. Browne, B. Iles, B. Xavier, K. Barbuto, R. Hards
ABERFELDIE 7.9-51
Goal Kickers: J. Velissaris 2, M. Austin 2, J. Foster, N. Cattapan, J. Peters
Best Players: R. Allan, J. Cubillo, L. Blackwell, L. Davis, N. Cattapan, S. Rasinac
