Pies pip Rebels

By Ben O’Brien
BELGRAVE will play Thornton-Eildon in this week’s YVMDFL Division Two grand final at Healesville, after the Magpies accounted for Alexandra in a thrilling match at Kilsyth on Sunday.
Belgrave held a 23-point lead at the main break, and looked to be in control, which was just the right time for complacency to creep in during the third quarter. The Rebels took full advantage of that lapse to keep Belgrave goalless, while piling on six of their own to hold a 17 point lead going into the final term, with all the momentum heading their way.
Unfortunately for Alexandra supporters, that third quarter effort was all in vain, as Belgrave broke the shackles in the last quarter to kick seven goals to three and run out winners, 15.20.110 to 14.13.97.
Jacob Meyer, after starting on the bench, kicked seven goals for the Magpies and his ability to conjure goals out of nowhere proved the difference between the two sides and gained him best afield honours.
Veteran George Steiner kicked four goals for Alexandra, and was ably assisted by Chris Mullins. There were plenty of interested observers present from the Shinboners, who will face Belgrave for the second time in three weeks – the rewards this week are somewhat greater.
Alexandra fared better on the netball court this year, and will have both teams competing in A and B grade finals this weekend. The B-graders will take on Yarra Junction, after the Eagles defeated Yarra Glen 47 to 16 in the prelim final, while Emerald will play the Rebels in the A-grade game, after the Bombers were too good for Thornton-Eildon, winning 34 -17.
It was semi-final Saturday in the Compass Group Division One, and a couple of cracking football matches were witnessed.
Monbulk are out of the 2007 finals series in straight sets, courtesy of Upwey-Tecoma on Saturday at Yarra Glen, with the same scoreline as in second division: 17.8.110 to 13.19.97.
Little separated the sides all day, but Upwey looked to have pinched a winning break at the final change, holding a handy four-goal lead. Monbulk did erode that deficit slightly, but never managed to hit the front, and it was the Tigers who made it through to the preliminary final this week.
While Vincent Muccitelli was well held with the one goal, Chris Hayes bobbed up with six in a BOG performance. Ramage Medal winner Vin Dunstan was best for the Hawks, in an end to a disappointing finals campaign from an ageing Monbulk list whose lack of pace was exposed in its two defeats – no doubt a solution for the 2008 season is already being worked upon.
Perhaps surprisingly for Upwey, their opponent this week in the prelim will be Silvan, after Woori Yallock ruthlessly dissected the Cats’ game at Gembrook, defeating them by 25 points.
In one of the best games seen in the valley for some years, both teams emphasised how far ahead of the rest of the competition they are, with hard, fast football interspersed with pinpoint disposal and individual acts of brilliance.
Only two points separated the teams at half-time but, like they did against Monbulk last week, the Tigers just kept the foot down and took full advantage of a Silvan team hampered by injuries (Newell and Henneman) and lack of match fitness (Loughton), kicking eight goals to four to notch what was, in the end, a comfortable victory.
The Gary Moorcroft/Dallas Spencer duel was a highlight, with the diminutive Cat having five goals on the board by half-time. To Spencer’s credit, he kept him to only one more for the rest of the day, as Moorcroft moved out of the forward line in a bid to spark his team.
The other little bloke out there, Matt Stolarczyk, kicked a bag for the second week running in a best-on-ground performance.
The Tigers can now enjoy the week off, and will be looking at this week’s final with some interest, as Silvan attempt to bounce back against an Upwey side that has hit form at the right end of the season.