Olinda spring a surprise

OLINDA’S first success of the season was a thumping 44-point win over Gembrook Cockatoo 20.9.129 to 12.13.85.
In cold and windy conditions, Olinda handed a football lesson to their more fancied opponents which heralds a spirited fight to avoid relegation with four clubs now back in the fold.
Olinda’s David Noorda was best on field with four goals and excellent defence as he played at the same end of the ground for four quarters.
Olinda got off to a good start and were never headed with effective attacking football and strong defensive play, especially when they kicked into the wind.
Gembrook couldn’t at any stage make full use of the wind and it was that fact that cost them dearly in the end.
Olinda’s Shaun Grogan (4 goals) and Scott Tregonning were solid performers all day while Gembrook’s Mathew O’Neil and Craig Clarke toiled hard.
At Wandin, it was the Tim Wragg show with a match-winning 10 goals that proved to be the difference against a determined opposition. Monbulk was never headed in a solid display to win 20.15.135 to 15.13.103.
Monbulk’s David Taylor and Mark Haley performed well as did under 18 player Justin Creed. Paul Grayling was best for Wandin.
Woori Yallock’s last quarter got them over the line against a determined Healesville, 14.10.94 to 12.13.85.
With only points separating the teams all game, it was the experience of Woori Yallock in the last quarter that got them home.
Healesville’s Jye Conrau with five goals had a great game along with Daniel Plozza and Luke Barclay.
Woori Yallock’s Michael King and Mathew Wright were solid performers as was Damian Monkhorst with two goals.
Warburton were with Silvan until half time but a 15 goal to 3 second half saw Silvan come out comfortable winners.
Moorcroft with a bag of 9 brings his total to 77 goals for the season with Dean Carswell adjudged best afield.
Upwey were all class against rivals Mount Evelyn with a 10-goal victory 25.18.168 to 14.10.94.
In a brilliant team performance, Upwey never looked like losing with 11 separate goal kickers. Upwey’s Steve Dawson was best afield. Mount Evelyn needs to re-group as they are now in danger of losing touch with the top five.
In the second division, Thornton is now back in town with big victory 20.20.140 to 13.10.88 over an undermanned Yea.
Shane Parker was best afield for Thornton, which also included a haul of five goals.
In a thriller at Emerald, Yarra Glen snuck home by six points 16.3 99 to Emerald’s 13.15.93. Emerald has only themselves to blame with poor kicking.
This is a big victory for Yarra Glen who has demonstrated that they can take up to the best of them.
Selkrig for Yarra Glen has been outstanding all season and again on Saturday with a match-winning five goals.
Selkrig heads the goal kicking for Division 2 with 62 goals.
Top of the ladder Alexandra is setting the standard with another comfortable victory. Now looking like flag favourites, Alexandra were all class in their victory over Seville, 14.17.101 to 5.16.46.
Alexandra’s Oakley and Collard were outstanding performers all day.
Kinglake was too strong for Yarra Junction and Powelltown’s committed effort for four quarters was not enough to beat Belgrave.
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