He saved his best for last when he was awarded three votes in three of the last five games to finish on 23 votes, five votes clear of the runner-up Andrew Jericho of Lincoln South and 10 votes clear of third placed Scott Blacker from Boston.

After the first five games Jericho had polled nine votes with three games of three votes, two votes clear of Keatley on seven, and ahead of Scott Blacker on six votes.

The room was abuzz and the thinking was that Jericho, who played well all season, could be hard to peg back.

From round six to round 11 Keatley polled seven votes to jump two votes ahead of Jericho, who could manage only three votes, again from another best on ground effort and when Scott Blacker picked up seven votes this had the room buzzing again.

With the last five rounds to be counted Keatley had 14 votes, Blacker 13 and Jericho 12 and the rest of the count was eagerly awaited as to which one of these three great players would be first past the post.

n Continued page 33