By RORY O’NEILL
In Round 7, East Sunbury came from behind to win a three-point thriller over Keilor Park. The Devils were out for revenge in the return match on home soil.
The Devils lined up before the match to congratulate Jake Thomas on his 300th game for the club.
The Thunder kicked the first major, whilst Keilor Park peppered the goals without result.
The Devils then went on an onslaught for the rest of the quarter, kicking five unanswered goals to take a formidable 27-point lead at the first break, 5.5-35 to 1.2-8.
Thunder big man Ash Fleming took over in the centre bounces, helping his team move forward, but the small, experienced Keilor Park midfield created opportunities for their forwards, with Nate Trotter kicking a helicopter goal and Chris Koulouriotis putting through one on the run.
Later in the quarter, East Sunbury managed to get two goals back, with coast to coast movement ending in a goal to Corey Mobilio, courtesy of a 50-metre penalty to Fleming.
At halftime, Keilor Park maintained their lead 7.6-48 to East Sunbury 3.5-23.
The third quarter was a tight affair. Nate Trotter kicked two for the quarter, as did Jason King at the other end (including a banana kick after the siren).
With East Sunbury’s Lucas Shaw and Caine Schofield-Lane getting into the action, the Thunder inched closer to the home team to trail by less than four kicks at the last break, trailing 7.5-47 to 10.10-70.
With the game in the balance, East Sunbury attacked, but then the tide turned.
Keilor Park kicked five unanswered goals, including a fourth to Nate Trotter.
The game was all over, with the Thunder finishing off with two consolation goals to Aaron Aquilina and Justin Bell in junk time.
The Devils ended with a convincing win, 15.13-103 to 9.9-63.
Three-hundred gamer Jake Thomas was chaired by his teammates off the ground.
Keilor Park coach Marcus Barclay was pleased with his team’s win, particularly the contested footy and second and third efforts.
He felt the Devils turned the tables on the Thunder this time due to having nine players back in the side, including taller marking options.
A philosophical East Sunbury Steve Grey recognised that his players were up against an experienced bunch, but was disappointed that his team could only lay 34 tackles for the match when they normally averaged 60-70 per game.
He remains hopeful that the Thunder may still make finals by improving their tackle count and contested ball over the remaining matches.
KEILOR PARK | 15.13-103
Best: J. Thomas, S. Barry, N. Trotter, P. Corredig, A. Porco, S. Frederickson
Goals: N. Trotter 4, J. Ravanello 3, K. Wintels 2, K. Thomas, D. Gila, J. Garita, A. Pasqua, C. Koulouriotis, E. Salih
EAST SUNBURY | 9.9-63
Best: J. King, K. Ogilvie, C. Schofeld-Lane, A. Fleming, L. Shaw
Goals: J. King 3, A. Fleming 2, C. Mobilio 2, A. Aquilina, J. Bell
