By MICHAEL HABER
FANS were treated to what could be a Grand Final preview last weekend when East Keilor hosted Moonee Valley.
The intensity was high from the beginning as both sides laid many tackles.
It took over eight minutes for the first goal of the game to be scored.
East Keilor did have many chances at goal but were very inaccurate during the quarter.
Their first goal came after Cooper Bryant smothered a Moonee Valley kick, which then got Dillon James the goal.
East Keilor were able to kick another straight after and seemed to have shaken off their previous inaccuracies. Moonee Valley didn’t let the Cougars get away however, with some great tackling pressure but still went into the first break nine points down.
The Valley were able to turn the tide against East Keilor in the second quarter, scoring four goals.
East Keilor still looked to be the better side, as they were more efficient with the ball and hit their targets better than their opponents could.
The Moonee Valley defence was too good for them however, only letting through one Cougar goal for the quarter.
Josh Covelli managed to score his first goal for the day during the quarter, despite his opponent, Paris Grampsas, looking to have the better of him.
A late snap from Stuart Taylor put Moonee Valley up by 10 going into half time.
The defensive victories of the second quarter were to be short-lived for Moonee Valley as East Keilor completely turned the game on its head.
The Cougar’s midfield had loose men everywhere and were able to win every stoppage.
Paris Grampsas continued his splendid form and proved to be a rock in defence for his side.
He was able to shut down Covelli by going toe to toe with his larger opponent and matched his physicality, seemingly throwing Covelli off.
East Keilor were able to keep Moonee Valley completely scoreless and thanks to four goals, two of those being from Luke McCormack, they were able to take a three-goal lead into the final break.
Peter Tsavdaridis’ goal at the beginning of the final quarter seemed to put the match beyond doubt for his side but Moonee Valley hit back with two goals of their own.
East Keilor then went on to one-up their opponents and kicked three of their own goals, looking to have won the match.
Moonee Valley did not give up however and hit a gear that was impossible for East Keilor to stop.
The Fog kicked the last five goals of the game, the final one via a beautiful 45-metre drop punt from Trent Gleisner.
The win showed that Moonee Valley are definitely a contender and it was also a wake-up call for East Keilor.
A wake-up call saying that now it’s serious.
EAST KEILOR | 11.11-77
Goal Kickers: V. Madaffari 2, P. Tsavdaridis 2, L. McCormack 2, S. Eldridge 2, B. Lucas 2, D. James
Best Players: P. Tsavdaridis, S. Eldridge, P. Grampas, L. Vraca, J. Carey, C. Bryant
MOONEE VALLEY | 12.7-79
Goal Kickers: J. Covelli 3, S. Taylor 3, B. Padmore 2, Z. Bunge 2, N. Wilson, T. Gleisner
Best Players: B. Padmore, J. Moussa, B. Fennell, S. Gales, Z. Bunge, T. Gleisner
