By Adrian Ceddia
KEILOR’S grip on the top four in the Essendon District Football League A Grade competition slipped on Saturday after it was eclipsed by Doutta Stars.
The Blues’ quiet second half – which yielded just three goals – paved the way for the Stars to stride to a 29-point victory and jump clear on top of the table after seven rounds.
There was nothing between the sides in the first half before the Stars edged ahead by 13 points at three-quarter time and ran away with three goals to one in the last.
Andrew Knezevic had one of his best games for the season for Keilor, kicking two goals, while Tristen Gum and skipper Michael Long also kicked two apiece.
The Blues are only percentage in front of Avondale Heights in fourth ahead of a clash with East Keilor this week.
In other games on Saturday, Keilor Park found the going tough against Aberfeldie and went down by 56 points.
The Devils had their shot at causing an upset when they trailed by just two goals at half time, but with Simon Minton-Connell on fire in the Aberfeldie forward half, they found themselves five goals in arrears at the final change.
Craigieburn scored a crucial victory against East Keilor to boost its chances of A Grade survival.
The Eagles trailed for most of the match after a sluggish start, but finished over the top of the Cougars in what was potentially an eight-point game for both sides.
East Keilor led by eight points at half time and by three at the final change, but kicked just two goals in the final term to Craigieburn’s four.
Daniel Nolan kicked six in a dominant performance for the home side, while onballer Daniel Bonnici kicked three for the Cougars.
Greenvale was again left heartbroken by rival Strathmore after going down by three points in a nerve-wracking contest atSection Road.
The Jets had last year’s grand final snatched by the Mores in extra time and had every chance to exact revenge in the first meeting between the two sides this year, but fell agonisingly short at the final siren.
Greenvale failed to capitalise on a blistering eight-goal first quarter and numerous chances at goal in the frenetic final minutes to slip to third on the table.
Oak Park was also involved in a crucial contest with Avondale Heights, but missed out on the four points and a chance to draw level with fourth place.
The Heights set up victory with a five-goal opening quarter before finishing off with an equally impressive final term to win by 14 points.
