By ADEM SARICAOGLU
GOOD Friday should see Keilor host one of the biggest crowds Keilor Recreation Reserve has had for quite some time.
The Blues will take on the Mores in the EDFL’s Premier Division at the newly-renamed Joe Brown Oval – which has undergone a massive redevelopment after general wear and tear rendered the ground a mud pit in recent years.
The new surface now looks immaculate and the club’s social facility has also been given a significant facelift ahead of this Friday’s round three blockbuster.
Keilor president Craig Teal is chuffed with the new-look venue and cannot wait to see a packed crowd on Friday.
“From a sporting sense, not a great deal happens on the day and there’s nothing much on TV, so we do provide that fantastic alternative for somebody to come out and get involved, so we’re estimating a massive crowd,” Teal said.
“You’re talking about two undefeated sides coming in for what realistically would be match of the round anyway, but it’s going to be particularly highlighted because it’s the showcase day on Good Friday.
“It’s just got that added benefit because not only are we back up competitive and feeling like we’re going to be a real force this year back in the EDFL, but also the fact we’ve been off (the ground) six months.
“We’ve watched it grow, we’ve watched the curators and workers here for six months and everyone that’s driven past has seen it and the fact we’re playing Strathmore on Good Friday is just icing on the cake.”
The return to Joe Brown Oval will only add to what has been a promising few months for the club, which has seen former junior James Sicily get drafted to Hawthorn and a number of others vying for a similar outcome in the TAC Cup with the Western Jets and Calder Cannons this year.
In the senior ranks Teal is the first to admit it’s been a lean recent stretch for Keilor.
But after knocking off 2013 finalist Airport West on the road in round one, Teal is confident his Blues have what it takes to get back into finals contention this time around.
“For the last three years, we’ve probably gone into a bit of a black hole, so to speak, compared to our previous 30-odd years,” he said.
“But we just knew we had to get a few things right and we changed the mix around, we’ve got a good influx and we’ve really got a lot of youth.
“We’re going to be competitive and that’s what we’ve always set our task on this year. Last year, it went from bad to worse, but if everything goes our way this year and we maintain an injury-free season, we’ll be up there.”
