Keilor Park’s season has come to an end, but it has been one they can be proud of in Essendon District Football League’s division 2.
The Devils won only two games last season and were a basket case, but they have picked up the pieces and begun to put the jigsaw together.
A fourth-place finish and a semi-final was beyond all expectations internally and externally in the footy world.
On Sunday, the difference between the top three sides and the rest came through clearly.
Moonee Valley, which finished third, was way too strong for the plucky Devils, winning 17.13 (115)-9.5 (59).
Devils coach Marcus Barclay said they just couldn’t match it with the Magpies.
“I certainly can’t question the effort,” he said after the game.
“We were kept in it by the way we defended so well, but we couldn’t get it into our forward line.
“We had about 10 inside 50s in the first half when we rarely went forward. They had about 70 per cent of the play all day.”
Barclay praised Peter Corredig and Jake Thomas, who repelled several Magpies’ forays forward.
Barclay said the Magpies’ pace was the main difference between the sides.
“They were a bit quick for us on the outside. We were good in close but couldn’t match it on the outside. It’s something we’ve struggled with all year on the bigger grounds. We defeated them when we played them on a smaller ground.”
While disappointed at how the season ended, Barclay said that once the dust settles they’ll look back positively on the year.
“It’s good for the club to get finals experience,” he said. “To win only two games last season and be really uncompetitive to getting into finals this year was a massive achievement. We’ve come so far both on and off field.
“There’s the initial disappointment after the game. They have to put it into perspective and see how far they’ve come.”
Moonee Valley will play East Keilor in a preliminary final, with the winner to take on Roxburgh Park in the grand final.
In premier division, Keilor goes into the finals on a winning note after knocking off ladder leader Aberfeldie.
Bragging rights were all the teams were playing for, with a semi-final between the two sides this weekend already assured.
Despite a goalless final quarter, the Blues won 11.10 (76)-9.18 (72).
In division 1, Craigieburn is through to the grand final, while Tullamarine will face Oak Park in the preliminary final this weekend.
