By JARROD POTTER
DOING it for two proud clubmen, Keysborough stormed past Heatherton to take a resounding 105-point win.
Corey Wilkinson (one goal) ran through the banner – with daughters Taylor and Matilda – for his 300th match and club cult figure Rick Crowe was the guest of honour for the Past Players’ Day, so the Burra had no desire to let this one slip against the Tonners.
It started strongly and didn’t stop as Keysborough booted eight early goals – with Mathew Collett (five goals), Cory Hargreaves and Daniel Morland (four goals each) piercing the Heatherton defence.
WATCH the video of Keysborough singing the song in Wilkinson’s 300th match at the end of the article.
With playing-coach Ryan Goodes returning from injury, it allowed a bit more creativity across the field as league-leading goal scorer Tyson King (one goal) actually played his best footy through the middle.
While all 24 goals were celebrated proudly, there was only one that had everyone running from all parts of the ground to cheer on.
Goodes shifted Wilkinson forward, after his prime defender did a solid job on Matthew Jamieson and Wilkinson made the most of his rare foray to the other goal square as he slotted a goal and was instantly mobbed by every other Burra player in the vicinity.
It would prove a fitting finale for the day as the siren sounded soon after as Keysborough 24.11 (115) took the triumph over Heatherton 7.8 (50).
“There were plenty of people out here for myself and Rick Crowe as well – so it was good that everyone was able to get together and support him and his family as well,” Wilkinson said.
“Big crowd, I’m stoked that we got the win.
“It hasn’t been like this for a long time, since the grand final in 2002, the club was good then and then we had a few bad years and now we’ve changed leagues and that was probably the best thing for Keysy anyway,” Wilkinson said. “We’ve got 90 players on the track, it’s unbelievable and I feel young again… just not on a Sunday though.”
Goodes praised King – his newly anointed midfielder – but saved the biggest applause for Wilkinson.
“While it’s fantastic to get the win, I’m just more rapt for Wilko,” Goodes said. “Was rapt that he was able to go forward in that last quarter and more rapt that he was able to enjoy himself.
“It’s not too often cause it’s always tight or we’re losing in previous years, but today we really hit them hard early, got the scoreboard pressure up early, and were able to enjoy ourselves for the last half of footy.”
Both clubs were raising funds for former player Rick Crowe who became a quadriplegic in an accident in 2012.Separated only by percentage to top-of-the-ladder Oakleigh District, second placed Keysborough faces Doveton Eagles at home on Saturday.
In other Division 2 matches, Doveton Eagles was pipped by a point as Murrumbeena came home just that skerrick stronger. Brayden Oliver and Brett Hidgcock were best on ground.
Springvale Districts was no match for Hampton, downed in the end by 28 points with Lance Baptist and Justin Doust best afield.
In Division 3, Endeavour Hills punished Southern Dragons to the tune of 165 points as Shane Peake (eight goals), Daniel Morrison and Cedric Legrand (seven goals each) slayed the Dragons’ defence and Lyndale also reigned supreme with a 24-point win over Moorabbin. Dandenong was bested by Carrum Patterson Lakes by 65 points, Sandown was no match for Mt Waverley in a 42-point defeat while Hallam was knocked over by 73 points via South Yarra.
