The first round of Yarra Ranges AFL’s grand finals was played out in brilliant weather at Gembrook on Sunday.
More than 2000 spectators gathered to see the culmination of the 2018 season with a further estimated 2000 people viewing the games on Valley Vision live stream – a first for junior football.
Junior Operations Co-ordinator Andy Gibbons said there was a good representation across the league with 13 of the 15 clubs represented in Sunday’s matches and next Sunday’s girls’ grand final round.
In the Under-16s the undefeated Monbulk 7.9.51 won out over Wesburn 3.3.21.
Under-14 Green saw Upwey 6.2.38 defeat Wandin 4.3.27.
Upwey had also come through the home and away games undefeated but had to earn their place in the grand final after losing a final.
Under-14 Blue saw Mount Evelyn 5.2.32 defeat Emerald 4.7.31 in a nail-biter that had Emerald up by four goals after the first quarter and Mount Evelyn fighting back to win by a point.
Under-12s saw Woori Yallock 5.3.33 d Olinda Ferny Creek 2.3.15 to claim the flag after coming through the year undefeated.
Mount Evelyn defeated Healesville in the Under-11s.
With both teams on an even par all year, it was anyone’s game, Mount Evelyn coming home with 3.7.25 to Healesville’s 0.0.0.
In the Eastern Region Girls Football Premier League, Donvale 5.3.33 defeated Mount Evelyn 2.6.18 in the Under-18s while South Belgrave/Lysterfield 4.6.30 defeated Mount Evelyn 2.0.12.
Results of the Yarra Ranges Division Girls in the Preliminary Finals were Under-16s Upwey-Tecoma 3.11.29 defeated Healesville 2.2.14; Under-14s Worawa 4.5.29 defeated Monbulk 4.3.27 and Under-12s Belgrave 3.5.23 defeated Healesville 1.0.6.
AFL Yarra Ranges Girls Grand Finals will be played out at Yarra Glen on Sunday 2 August with Olinda Ferny Creek White versus Belgrave in the Under-12s, Yarra Glen versus Worawa in the Under-14s and Seville versus Upwey Tecoma in the Under-16s.
