Yarra Junction’s Tyson Wheeler flies over Yarra Glen’s Josh Fitzgerald in the elimination final at Warburton.
By Ben O’Brien
SATURDAY saw the completion of the Compass Group First Division for the 2007 season, and Silvan claimed the minor premiership with a comprehensive victory over the only side to defeat them all year, in Woori Yallock.
After a nervous start, it was the Cats that slipped into gear, and they were never headed by the Tigers, whose lack of a multiple goalkicker was reflected in the final scoreline, 17.15.117 to 6.12.48.
At the other end, Ben Haynes kicked 8 goals, to finish on 101 for the season, giving the club two century goalkickers in 2007.
Monbulk hosted Healesville in a high standard match, and it took a seven goal last quarter to get the Hawks over the line, by 21 points. Langworthy kicked five for the victors, while Jye Conrau kicked one less for Healesville.
Upwey rebounded from last week’s debacle at Don Road to get some form back against Olinda, winning by 190 points. Tom Hedge’s recent run of good form continued and Vincent Muccitelli kicked seven goals to finish the home/away season on 93 goals.
After a lean trot, Gembrook finished the year on a winning note, upsetting Wandin by 29 points. The Dogs were slow out of the gates, and the Brookers slammed home nine goals in the first quarter to render Wandin’s day one of chasing over the remaining three quarters. Craig Clarke was best on ground, while Nick Brisbane kicked six goals for Wandin.
After a similarly lean spell, Mount Evelyn waited until the last round of the year to score their biggest win, accounting for a disappointing Warburton-Millgrove by 93 points. The Rivers took the game by the throat in the second term, with 10 goals to four, and did not let up in the second half. Mark Holly and Matt Whitehead each kicked seven goals and Steve Tesoriero was best afield – Ben Hanson was best for the Burras.
Sunday saw the start of the Cadbury Schweppes finals series in second division, and fine weather and fast grounds greeted the participants at Warburton and Kilsyth. The elimination final at Warburton saw Yarra Glen take on Yarra Junction.
The Thunder had beaten Junction in both their encounters this year, but the Eagles were able to reverse that trend on Sunday, in a tough encounter. Only one goal separated the sides at half-time time, but five goals to two in Junction’s favour during the third term saw them take a handy 31-point lead into the final quarter.
The Thunder did come back to get within nine points, largely through Dean Selkrig, who finished the day with seven goals, but Yarra Junction just had the edge in class and steadied to run out winners by 31 points, 18.13 to 14.6.
Tyson Wheeler kicked eight goals in a best afield performance.
The Eagles will face Alexandra in this week’s semi-final, after Belgrave took the points, (just) in their qualifying final at Colchester Road.
Little separated the two sides all day, but it was arguably Belgrave’s first quarter that proved decisive, with the Pies establishing a handy three-goal break at the first change.
Alexandra did claw their way back into the game and, by the final break, scores were level. Belgrave had a slight fitness edge and peppered the goals in the last quarter, with nine shots to five (some of which went through the goals) to eventually win 11.16.82 to 11.7.73.
They play Thornton-Eildon this week, for a place in the grand final, while the Rebels have a sudden-death match against Yarra Junction.
Finals this week:
Division One – Saturday: Gembrook (9.30am start) – Monbulk v Warburton (Under 18), Wandin v Healesville ®, Woori v Monbulk (S); Yarra Junction (10.15am start) – Upwey v Woori Yallock (Under 18), Upwey v Warburton ®, Upwey v Healesville (S).
Division Two – Sunday: Healesville (9.30am start) – Yarra Junction v Emerald (Under 18), Yarra Junction v Thornton ®, Alexandra v Yarra Junction (S); Warburton (9.30am start) – Belgrave v South Belgrave (Under 18), Belgrave v Alexandra ®, Thornton-Eildon v Belgrave (S).
