Laurence O’Toole is again tipped to dominate the woodchopping events at Keilor on 18 February. 60457 Picture: SARAH MATRAY
BY MICHAEL ESPOSITO
The Keilor Gift isn’t just about running.
The event consistently attracts some of Australia’s best axemen, and this year will be no different.
The prestige associated with the Keilor event, combined with the healthy prizemoney on offer, ensures a high quality display of quality woodchopping every year.
Broadford’s Brayden Meyer said Laurence O’Toole and David Coffey were the two men expected to dominate the open events, including the 300mm tree felling competition, which will count towards the Victorian Champion of Champions title.
O’Toole is a former world champion underhand woodchopper, while Coffey won the 15” Underhand World title at last year’s Sydney Show.
Brayden himself comes from a proud lineage of champions, and is one in his own right. The 16-year-old Australian junior champion is a member of Victoria’s under 21 side.
His father Rodney is the Victorian tree-felling champion, and will also be competing at Keilor on 18 February, and will be partnering with his brother in the two-man combination event.
It will be a fascinating competition, with the Meyer brothers aiming to cause an upset against another fraternal team, David and John Coffey.
Organsier of the woodchopping event Garry Stewart is predicting the Coffey brothers will just get up over the Meyers.
Brayden said his next major goal in the sport is to win a Victorian open class champion, which would probably mean beating David Coffey.
“I’m probably a year away from that,” he said.
But Brayden is certainly looking forward to giving it a go next month.
“Keilor’s probably one of the biggest local shows we have on our calendar, it’s not like a royal show, but it’s a very good show. You always get a lot of good axemen down there.”
The under 17 junior championship will be an intriguing event. Benalla’s Maddison Kirley is making waves in the male-dominated sport, and will be taking on the boys at Keilor.
Kirley finished second in the Under 18 chop at Keilor last year, behind another competitor from the extended Meyer family, Kyle.
