By RORY O’NEILL
IN the home-and away-season Keilor and Aberfeldie had beaten each other once.
In Round 9, Abers won by a goal. In Round 18, the Blues came out on top by four points. The scene was set for another close encounter at the Coburg City Oval.
Andrew Browne provided great drive, winning early centre tap-outs, which enabled Keilor to win many centre breaks.
The first quarter onslaught returned six goals for the Blues, including two to the division’s leading goalkicker, Dean Galea.
Despite Brock McLean providing many opportunities for his teammates up forward, Aberfeldie kicked only one major for the term. Aberfeldie was more indirect and ended the quarter trailing by 27 points, 6.1-37 to 1.4-10.
The second quarter was more even. For Aberfeldie, Josh Cubillo was moved into the middle and created drive for his team.
The Aberfeldie attacks were repelled by Keilor captain Dylan Joyce, supported by strong marking from Eamonn Ogden.
Despite having the majority of the play, Abers had difficulty converting and were further hurt by a goal after the siren to Kane Barbuto.
Keilor maintained ascendancy, leading 10.2-62 to 5.10-40 at the long break.
With Nick Cattapan and Victor Carboni running the ball through the middle, Aberfeldie kept up the attack.
It took 11 minutes for a goal to be scored, which was provided by Aberfeldie’s Angus Grigg, (his third for the match).
The Blues found it difficult to score, particularly because of Aberfeldie’s double-teaming of Galea every time he attempted to mark.
Keilor could only manage two behinds, including a controversial ‘specky’ to Curtis Taylor, which resulted in an equally controversial ‘banana’ behind.
Abers had now edged closer, trailing 7.10-52 to 10.4-64 at the last change.
At three-quarter time, Abers coach Adam Potter urged his players to concentrate, stay disciplined and not panic.
He seemed confident his players could run over the top of Keilor.
Opposition coach Mick McGuane told his players to not turn the ball over and asked of his team how much they wanted the win.
Aberfeldie started well, kicking two behinds before Wayne Patak crumbed and goaled, which left them with only a four-point deficit.
Against the flow of play, Keilor’s Curtis Taylor goaled, which gave the Blues a slight buffer.
Brock McLean continued to use the ball effectively, but was held out by David Isbister and the ubiquitous Eamonn Ogden.
Aberfeldie had the ball inside their forward 50 for much of the quarter, but couldn’t convert, including two posters to Zach Hislop and Al Kefford.
With Keilor’s Dean Putt taking a one-handed mark on the goal line and kicking truly, the Blues sealed Aberfeldie’s fate.
Aberfeldie kicked 1.9 for the quarter, which left them two kicks short of a Grand Final berth. In the end, Keilor ran out winners 12.4-76 to Aberfeldie’s 8.19-67.
ABERFELDIE | 8.19-67
Best: J. Cubillo, J. Laurie, S. Cattapan, A. Grigg, V. Carboni, B. McLean
Goals: A. Grigg 3, K. Reimers, W. Patak, J. McNamara, J. Cubillo, S. Cattapan
KEILOR | 12.4-76
Best: E. Ogden, J, Wallin, R. Noye, D. Joyce, C. Taylor, M. Thomas
Goals: D. Galea 3, D. Gourdis 2, C. Taylor 2, J. Linton, J. Kennedy, D. Putt, K. Barbuto, L. McGuane
