By RORY O'NEILL
ESSENDON Doutta Stars took on the challenge of the undefeated Keilor machine at Nipper Jordan Oval on Saturday.
The visitors were shaky at the start, kicking six behinds before Luke Cartelli registered their first goal.
The Blues were clear winners in the possession count and won seven clearances, whilst the Stars could only manage three. At the end of the first quarter, Keilor were the winner on points, 2.9.21 to 2.3.15.
The second quarter was a tight affair. Keilor again dominated the possession count but could only manage a slender lead of 12 points at the halftime break, 6.10.46 to 5.4.34.
In the third term, Cleve Hughes took a specky in the goal-square and converted, and with Jake Myles kicking a reflex soccer goal, the scores were soon level.
Then the lead changed more than the weather in a real arm-wrestle to gain ascendancy.
With a controversial goal by Simon Clarke, who appeared to play on as the siren sounded, Douttas nosed in front 10.7.67 to Keilor’s 9.12.66.
The Stars picked up their possession count in this quarter 78-55, which resulted in a full verbal spray from Mick McGuane, who implored his players to play proactive and not reactive football.
Douttas coach Dean Wallis asked his players to continue to play out the last quarter in the same ruthless style.
The last quarter again saw several lead changes.
Shylo Smith ran into an open goal to increase the home team’s lead, but then with a goal to Dylan Joyce from a free kick, Keilor hit the front.
Myles replied, much to the delight of the home fans, but then a juggling mark from an errant kick saw David Gourdis put the visitors back in front.
The quarter was filled with desperate singular efforts from both sides.
And just before the siren, a Stars player marked, but the goal umpire judged the grab to be just behind the line, so a single point ensued.
This left the home team stranded behind the still undefeated Blues, failing by a mere three points, 11.18.84 to a gallant 12.9.81.
Post-match, Keilor coach Mick McGuane felt the win was due to his leaders standing up and his team’s ability to win critical one-on-one contests in the last quarter.
He said his team had wasted chances and stumbled to victory but he was overall pleased that they got over the line.
In contrast, Douttas coach Dean Wallis was encouraged that his young and less-experienced team were able to match it with a well-structured and well-coached, experienced Keilor outfit.
He was full of praise for the consistent effort from all of his players.
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS | 12.9-81
Goals: C. Hughes 3, J. Myles 3, A. Marklew 2, M. Day, P. Veszpremi, S. Smith, R. Hicks
Best: P. Ntalianis, M. Eagles, S. Clarke, J. Allan, N. Kovac, C. Thompson
KEILOR | 11.18-84
Goals: D. Galea 3, D. Joyce 2, L. McGuane 2, D. Gourdis, R. Bathie, K. Barbuto, J. Kennedy
Best: D. Joyce, K. Barbuto, A. Crawford, R. Bathie, D. Galea, M. Tanner
