By TOBIE CHAPMAN
ABERFELDIE have handed Keilor their first loss for the season, holding on to win by six points in a thriller.
Keilor had kicked only four goals for the day and found themselves trailing by 36 points early in the fourth, but a late surge saw them almost steal a draw.
Aberfeldie forward Kyle Reimers delivered another best on ground performance kicking six goals and taking a high flying mark of the year contender.
The top of the ladder clash started at a frenetic pace and neither side looked like taking a backwards step at the contest, bodies repeatedly colliding.
Reimers was dangerous early and David Isbister was unable to contain him, as Reimers kicked all three of his side’s goals for the term.
Keilor controlled much of the play for the term, but were inaccurate and unable to capitalise.
Luke McGuane took advantage of his match up against the lighter-bodied Jacob Craven, kicking two goals and working well further up the ground early.
Aberfeldie’s class and depth began to turn the tide through the second term, their defensive structures nullifying the likes of Dean Galea and David Gourdis and limiting McGuane’s influence.
Ryan Allen’s performance on Galea was nearly faultless, not allowing the competition’s leading goalkicker any space.
Josh Toy’s intercept marking was a highlight, and his contribution was capped off by a long goal on the run late in the second term.
Andrew Browne struggled for the ruck dominance he was expected to show, Jack McNamara handling the challenge of the league’s best big man with aplomb.
Abers had clearly gone into this game worried about Keilor captain Dylan Joyce, as he received a great deal of physical attention.
Appearing to also struggle with a lower leg issue, he spent time on the bench and wasn’t his usual prolific self.
Aberfeldie dominated the third term, kicking three goals to none to extend the margin to 30 points at the final break.
Angus Grigg was finding his straps, taking strong contested grabs and kicking two majors.
Reimers added his sixth early in the last term after a free kick and it looked like Mick McGuane’s message in the huddle of “if you believe, you achieve” hadn’t gotten through.
Joyce goaled shortly after, but it took another nine minutes before Keilor could kick another major through Gourdis.
Keilor’s midfield found some resolve, and Browne began to find his groove in the ruck.
Their stagnant movement and indecision wore off and broke into a free flowing and confident attacking mindset.
Mick McGuane roamed up and the down the sideline like a caged animal, barking instructions.
As the game ticked into time on, Jack Kennedy won a free kick and a 50-metre penalty for umpire abuse put him directly in front to reduce the margin to 18 points.
Galea finally got away from the iron grip of Allan, taking a strong mark and converting to give Keilor a genuine chance.
Finally, Aberfeldie found some defensive structure once more, holding off Keilor’s advance.
The clock became Keilor’s greatest enemy, with their forays forward repeatedly cut off by the Abers defence.
Deep into the term with 32 minutes gone, they somehow found another goal, this time off the boot of Ryan Bathie.
Abers flooded back, but Dean Putt’s tap found Keilor colours and it was sprayed forward.
Jack Kennedy picked up the loose ball and was pounced upon immediately.
The crowd bayed for a high contact free kick, an arm appearing to slip over his shoulder, but had their appeals ignored.
Seconds later, the siren sounded to close out an incredible game. Aberfeldie barely holding on to strike a blow to its rival contender.
KEILOR | 9.9-63
Goal Kickers: D. Galea 2, R. Bathie 2, L. McGuane 2, D. Joyce, J. Kennedy, D. Gourdis
Best Players: M. James, L. McGuane, J. Papalia, G. Barbuto, M. Thomas, K. Barbuto
ABERFELDIE | 10.9-69
Goal Kickers: K. Reimers 6, A. Grigg 2, J. Toy, S. Cattapan
Best Players: K. Reimers, R. Allan, M. Lynch, L. Blackwell, J. Toy, J. McNamara
