Keilor will be looking to qualify for their third grand final in a row when they take on Strathmore at Section Road.
Strathmore proved last week they are the real deal, defeating Aberfeldie by 55 points in difficult conditions at Sewell Reserve.
Strathmore’s accuracy in front of the sticks when it counted was the difference with the Mores kicking 18.8 from their 51 entries.
In their two meetings earlier in the year, Keilor won on Good Friday by 55 points, and backed it up with another 29-point victory in Round 12.
In the Good Friday clash, it was the Blues' ability to punish Strathmore off turnovers that led to the comprehensive victory.
The Mores were able to win the clearance and contest battle, however the reigning premiers managed to kick 12.2 from their 78 turnovers which was over 70 per cent of their score.
Nick O’Kearney starred with 37 possessions and nine clearances, while Chris Kosmas was a handful for Strathmore’s backline kicking seven goals.
Liam Cavanagh was rock solid in defence picking up 36 disposals and 10 marks, while Sam Hayes gave Strathmore’s midfielders first use with 77 hit outs and 20 disposals.
In their second meeting the Mores did put up a much stronger fight, however it still wasn’t enough to get them over the line.
Strathmore did win the contested possession battle, however it was the Blues' dominance at clearance that set up the win with an extra 11 stoppage clearances for the match.
The reigning premiers won the territory battle with +19 inside 50s for the match which proved to be the difference in the end.
Blair Wyllie won the ruck battle around the ground grabbing 24 disposals, while Jermarl Daly was excellent with three goals and 19 disposals.
Brock Egglestone had no trouble finding the footy finishing with 27 disposals and 14 tackles, while Mitch Purcell booted three goals.
Expect Saturday’s contest to be a tough defensive battle as the two sides boast the best defences in the competition, with Keilor averaging 57 points conceded per game, while Strathmore averages just 68.
For Strathmore to win they’ll need to find a way of kicking a winning score.
The side has received a huge boost in recent weeks with forwards Kyle Weightman and Matthew Allison both returning from Coburg VFL duties.
Together with Corey Grindlay, Athan Tsialtas, and Purcell the forward line teamed up to kick 15 goals combined and put Aberfeldie to the sword.
For Keilor to win they’ll need their forward line to do something similar.
Cody Brand has been on fire all season, kicking 57 goals from his 15 games to sit second on the leading goal kickers tally.
Kosmas looms as the wildcard this Saturday and could be the difference at Section Road.
The forward started like a house on fire kicking 19 goals in his first three games for the year, and has taken a liking to Strathmore in recent years with 19 goals across two years.
The sharpshooter’s form dropped off in the middle of the year, however has picked up in recent weeks with 13 goals in his last three matches and will be hoping for something similar this Saturday.
Aberfeldie will meet with Airport West in a do or die semi final at Salesian College.
Despite going in as favourites against Strathmore last week, the Rillas were stunned and went down by nine goals.
Airport West recorded a breakthrough elimination final victory over Deer Park, defeating the Lions by 30 points to extend their unbeaten streak to four games.
In their two meetings in 2025, Aberfeldie have come away with the victory twice, winning by 64 points on Anzac Day and escaping with a nine-point victory in Round 12.
In their first meeting, the Rillas dominated every facet of the game with +36 contested possessions, +19 clearances, and +17 inside 50s.
Callum Moore was at his brilliant best with four goals and 21 touches, while Stefan Rasinac dominated with 30 disposals and seven clearances.
Despite going down, Ned Gentile was terrific with 34 touches and three goals, while Matthew Hanson managed 19 disposals.
In the second clash, the Rillas were once again too strong in the contest which proved to be the difference in the end.
Both teams scored heavily off turnovers for the match, however +27 contested possessions were too much for the Eagles midfield to handle without Hanson and Tyson Young.
Anthony Horomidis stole the show at Clifton Park booting seven goals including the match winner, while Daniel Thompson was rock solid all day with 17 disposals and 12 marks.
Ben Nelson stood up for the Eagles collecting 26 disposals and 12 marks, while Hamish Morrison was very good with 35 touches and eight tackles.
The deciding factor on Sunday will once again be the contest and clearance battle.
The Eagles engine room is the hall mark of the game with superstars Gentile, Hanson, and Young leading the way in 2025.
Aberfeldie is ranked third for contested possessions and second for clearances, however were matched by Strathmore in both areas on Saturday.
If the star-studded Airport West on ball brigade can limit Matt Williamson and Rasinac’s influence on Saturday, then another upset could be on the cards.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
KEILOR v STRATHMORE
Saturday 2:15pm at Greenvale Recreation Reserve
ABERFELDIE v AIRPORT WEST
Sunday 2:15pm at Salesian College
