Keilor’s Rodney Van Riet lays a tackle on Maribyrnong’s Will Lewis during an action-packed contest on Saturday. 85096_06 Picture: DAMIAN VISENTINI
By LIAM TWOMEY
KEILOR’S hopes of playing in the Essendon District Football League Premier Division finals have been dealt a massive blow after a heartbreaking loss to Maribyrnong Park.
With the pressure on early, it was the Blues who made the better start to the contest, taking their chances in front of goal in a hard-fought first quarter.
Keilor kicked 6.1 to the Lions 3.8 to open up an 11-point lead at the first break.
There was no letting up from Keilor over the next two quarters as the margin hovered around the two- goal mark and it looked as though the Blues were in the prime position to cause the upset win.
However, the Brodie Holland-coached Lions found something extra going into the last quarter to turn the match on its head.
Maribyrnong Park fought back from a nine-point three quarter time deficit to secure a 12-point victory after the final siren in a six-goal-to-three final quarter.
The victory puts the Lions in prime position to take the fourth spot in the Premier Division finals this year with Maribyrnong moving to outright fourth on the ladder, one game and 12 percentage points clear of fifth-placed Oak Park.
Keilor now sits one game further back on 24 points, and with only three weeks left in the season, will find it difficult to push for finals.
Jarrod Garth was again outstanding for the Blues, kicking five goals to further cement his place as one of the most dominant forwards in the competition.
He was well supported by Jason Butty who kicked two goals and worked hard around the ground in the 15.19 (109) to 15.7 (97) loss.
The task won’t get any easier for the Blues this week when they meet third-placed Aberfeldie. Keilor will then take on Pascoe Vale and Essendon Doutta Stars in its final two matches of the season.
In Division One results, it was a great day for Taylors Lakes, with the Lions enjoying a percentage boosting win over Westmeadows by 123 points.
Lachlan Calder was the star of the show for Taylors Lakes, booting eight goals in a dominating performance on the Lions’ forward line.
He was well supported by Mark Desousa who also added four in the 29.11 (185) to 9.8 (62) win.
The Lions now sit in fourth spot on the Division One ladder and will take on sixth-placed Hadfield in a must-win game this week.
