KEILOR had a surprisingly difficult lead in to the Essendon District Football League A-grade finals.

The Blues were made to fight every inch of the way to secure a hard-fought 15-point win over wooden spooners West Coburg at Keilor Recreation Reserve on Saturday and cement second spot in the finals.

The Blues kicked out to a 25-point quarter-time lead. If Mick McGuane's men thought they would have it all their own way, the alarm bells were ringing 30 minutes later when the Burgers piled on the next four goals to take a shock three-point lead at half-time.

The see-sawing nature of the game saw the Blues give the visitors a taste of their own medicine in the third term, booting five goals and restricting the Burgers to just two points for the quarter.

The Burgers tried to provide the upset of the season in a spirited last-term showing, but the margin was insurmountable and the favourites ran out winners.

Ricky Marcy and Rodney van Riet were the stars for the Blues in the midfield, while Jarrod Garth booted three to finish the home-and-away campaign with 55 goals.

The Blues will meet super heavyweights Greenvale Jets in the second semi-final for a direct passage to the grand final.

The cut-throat first semi-final will be contested by Oak Park and Maribyrnong Park.

Lance Jenkinson