KEILOR v STRATHMORE
Sunday 2:15pm at Coburg City Oval
There’s always a lot on the line in every Keilor and Strathmore contest, but this one is even more important with a grand final spot on the line.
One of the biggest rivalries in the league, it’s not a match up many people would have predicted for the preliminary final which adds to the intrigue.
Most people had Keilor as the team that would be the first team through to the grand final and the likely premier.
Yes, their last few weeks hadn’t been as good as early in the season but with only one loss for the year, they deserved to be red hot favourites.
Pascoe Vale had other ideas in the semi final and became the first team through to the grand final.
The Panthers will play in their first EDFL Premier Division grand final.
If the Blues weren’t convincing on Saturday, the Mores weren’t either on Sunday but did enough to get the win.
The Mores were given a shock in the first week of finals by Pascoe Vale. The result wasn’t necessarily a shock, but the way they did it.
It was a slightly better performance against Greenvale in the semi finals. Nothing was easy as both teams struggled to hit the scoreboard for the first three and half quarters.
Class prevailed in the end to get the Mores through to another preliminary final.
Now this leaves the last two premiers to do battle for the second grand final spot. Between them they’ve been awarded the past four premierships.
The Blues have won the head-to-head this season winning both games.
Good Friday was almost an identical result to last year’s grand final which the Blues dominated.
The second affair on a wet and cold day at Lebanon Reserve, saw the Blues get over the line in a game they probably shouldn’t have won.
How the Blues respond will be interesting.
It’s only their second loss since 2022. Can they find their mojo and get back to the football we know they can play or is this a sign they aren’t the unbeatable giant?
Coach Mick McGuane was anything but happy after the semi final performance.
Their connection wasn’t there and they didn’t make the most of their opportunities when they went forward.
The Mores haven’t been firing on all cylinders either which adds another layer to the game.
They have a couple more levels to take and are full of confidence according to star forward Kyle Weightman.
The Mores have added a number of players back into the mix in recent weeks after VFL and Coates Talent League seasons have ended.
Gelling all those players takes time, which they’ve now had.
Who lines up for each side will be one of the big factors in the game.
McGuane said there could be at least seven players back if everything goes to plan.
Nathan Colesno and Jovan Petric are set to return from VFL.
Cody Brand, Mason Thomas, Riley Ham, and Joseph Ciranna are others who weren’t out there on the weekend as well.
The Mores will welcome back Liam Cavanagh and Andrew Gallucci from suspension. Cavanagh was outstanding last time the teams met in a best on ground performance.
So how does this one shape up?
The Blues still go in as favourites but there isn’t the same certainty there once was earlier in the season.
