2019 RECAP
Despite losing high-quality, ex-AFL midfielders Nick O'Kearney and Damien Cavka to long-term injuries in April, Keilor defied the odds and produced a stunning 'perfect season' to claim its third premiership in 12 seasons under revered senior coach, Mick McGuane.
Captain Kane Barbuto produced one of the best individual EDFL seasons ever seen in midfield while the Blues' new dynamic duo up forward, Dean Galea and Matthew Clark, combined for 107 goals in 2019.
Despite their dominance in the win column, the Blues were tested at various stages throughout the year and in their two finals games against Aberfeldie, they were pushed all the way in two close, hard-fought games at Windy Hill.
BEST & FAIREST TOP FIVE
1st - Kane Barbuto (pictured)
2nd - Todd Stevenson
3rd - David Isbister & Billy Iles
4th - Dean Galea
GOAL KICKING TOP FIVE
63 - Dean Galea
44 - Matthew Clark
26 - Jackson McMahon
19 - Kane Barbuto
16 - Dylan Joyce
REYNOLDS MEDAL
Premier Division Best & Fairest
Kane Barbuto (winner)
David Isbister (runner-up)
REG ROSE MEDAL
Premier Division Grand Final Best-On-Ground
Kane Barbuto
PREMIER DIVISION LEADING GOAL KICKER AWARD
Dean Galea
PREMIER DIVISION TEAM OF THE YEAR
Mick McGuane (coach)
Billy Iles* (back pocket)
Todd Stevenson (wing)
Matthew Clark (half forward flank)
Dean Galea (full forward)
Kane Barbuto (ruck rover & captain)
2021 PREVIEW
Coach: Mick McGuane (13th season)
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Michael Ajaimy (Hillside), Max Barrile (Brunswick JFC), Andrew Browne (Mansfield), Luke Cartelli (Ocean Grove), Matthew Caserta (Sunshine), Adam Dunkley (UNSW Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs), Corey Ellis (Gold Coast Suns), James Keys (Gordon), Owen King (Yarraville Seddon Eagles), Damon Kliman (St Albans), Zach Malcolm (Wangaratta), Kyle O'Connor (Bell Park), Mark Polycarpou (Taylors Lakes), Lucas Pullia (St Albans), Benjamin Richardson (Therry Penola OB), George Romios (Aberfeldie), Paul Sahlberg (Riddell), Michael Sahlberg (Riddell), Zacheria Sibaei (Brunswick), Otis Styant-Browne (Brunswick JFC), Angus Taylor (Rupertswood), Julian Toniazzo (Bundoora), Chris Tsardakis (Sunbury Kangaroos) & Patrick Veszpremi (Caroline Springs)
Out: Damien Cavka (Deer Park), Benjamin Christodoulou (Mildura), Liam Di Martino (Glenroy), Sam Hooper (University Blacks), Billy Iles (Central District), Christopher Jansen (Rochester), Brock McGregor (Caroline Springs), Ben McManus (St Albans), Barton Thompson (St Albans), Luke Vella (Maribyrnong Park), Tylar Vujanic (PEGS) & Zak Wunhym (Hillside)
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
The reigning champs may be even better than they were two years ago, which is frankly rather scary for the rest of the division.
Almost everyone who played a major role in the 2019 premiership run is still at Joe Brown Oval and the acquisitions of star ruckman Andrew Browne, 2016 premiership team mate Luke Cartelli, Adam Dunkley, Owen King and Patrick Veszpremi, among others, will see Keilor start the 2021 season as a somewhat warm favourite to go back-to-back.
While injuries to key players haven't hampered them in recent years in terms of wins and losses, they could be the only factor getting in the Blues' way of claiming yet another top two finish and contending for the flag at Windy Hill come September 11.
2021 FIXTURE
