By JULIA MONTESANO
GOING into the Grand Final as the hot favourite is no easy feat to overcome.
But then again, Keilor is no ordinary team.
The Blues have been unstoppable all season, steamrolling any opponent that has come in their way.
An undefeated season was capped off with a huge 75-point win over the only team who has come within 40 points of the rampaging Blues.
Manor Lakes was gallant in defeat, and started the game off by piling an immense amount of pressure on the Blues.
Keilor found it hard to score, as the ball was locked in the Storm’s forward line.
Cara Dunshea initiated heaps of pressure, and was complemented by Alysha Bettels, who kicked a goal to match her efforts through the middle.
But Keilor coach, Emma Kerry wasn’t concerned with the pressure at this point.
“I just told them to keep their heads in the game” she said.
“We knew that our structures and plays would come out in the end.”
After hearing Kerry’s message, Keilor put on a scoring clinic, led by Tanay Barbuto, whose clean marking earned her two first half goals.
The deficit was already a significant one for Manor Lakes at the main break, with 50 points separating the two best teams in the competition.
The third quarter belonged to Keilor’s Tenille Cann, who kicked two goals in two minutes, bringing her goal-kicking tally to four for the day.
But the game itself belonged to Kallyn Gent, who was named best-on-ground in an immensely courageous performance.
Gent didn’t play in the last final against the Storm, due to a knee injury, but gallantly took the field at Section Road.
“Her game was flawless today.” Kerry said of Gent.
“I didn’t expect much from her today because of that injury, but you wouldn’t have been able to tell.”
The Storm were running out of options at this point, and threw Mel Gheller up forward to try and get something going.
Manor Lakes did score two goals in the last quarter, but Keilor’s Sarah Wright, Ellie McLean and Robyn Foster impressed with their consistency all day.
A flawless season for Keilor was topped off with the sweetest prize, as they were crowned premiers of the inaugural WRFL & EDFL Senior Women’s Competition.
KEILOR - 15.7-97
Goal Kickers: J. Atta 4, T. Cann 4, T. Barbuto 2, K. Gent, R. Foster, T. Jones, B. Todero, S. Wright
Best Players: K. Gent, S. Wright, J. Atta, E. McLean, T. Cann, J. McBain
MANOR LAKES - 3.4-22
Goal Kickers and Best Players not provided.
