Wesburn’s Connor Loughnan kicks long.
By Ben O’Brien
AFTER four rounds of the Compass Group First Division, there are two undefeated teams perched atop the ladder – one (not necessarily surprisingly) is Silvan, while the other is Woori Yallock.
Both sides recorded dominating victories over opposition sides on the weekend, with the highlight of Silvan’s 154 point defeat of Olinda being 14 goals from Gary Moorcroft, who has now kicked 30 goals in four weeks to lead the goalkicking table.
Plenty of people were tipping that somebody might kick 100 goals this year, but not too many were tipping someone who, even on a good day, couldn’t be described as a key position player.
Woori’s season kept on keeping on, beating Gembrook-Cockatoo 22.21.153 to 10.8.68. Daniel Williamson kicked seven goals while Paddy Sharp was BOG. Bill Harvey contributed five goals to the Brookers’ cause, while Ben Fenton was best for the losing side.
Arguably, the upset of the round occurred at Wandin, where the home team inflicted Monbulk’s second defeat in as many weeks.
Despite having seven less scoring shots, the Bulldogs got home by 8 points, 16.9.105 to 13.19.97, in a morale-boosting win for a club that had been threatening to win on a regular basis so far this year but had yet to get across the line. Wandin will need the confidence boost, as they take on Silvan this Sunday.
Upwey-Tecoma completed a good weekend for the felines, defeating Mt Evelyn comfortably, 22.24.156 to 7.11.53. Muccitelli kicked seven and Van Hoorn (David) four in a win that keeps Upwey in touch with the pack, after a slow start to the year. The Rovers could only manage single goalkickers, with Jarrad Barden the pick of the crop.
In the final match, Warburton’s rather brutal re-introduction to first divisions continued, this time at the hands of Healesville, who knocked them over by 103 points.
If you want closer contests, perhaps you should start following the Commodore Press Second Division, where entertaining, high-scoring football appears to be the order of the day so far in 2007. Six teams are within two games of the top spot, with Thornton-Eildon leading the race at this stage being the sole undefeated team.
The Shinboners hosted Yarra Glen, and trailed by 11 points at the final break, before kicking seven goals to two to win 22.13.145 to 17.15.117. Ryan Hall’s 13 goals from full forward was arguably the match-winning performance.
The Thunder hit the road again this week, taking on Alexandra, who now sit in third position, courtesy of an eight-point victory of Yarra Junction. Like their neighbours, the Rebels overcame a deficit at 3/4 time (19 points) to finish over the top of their hosts. Both Michael Bretherton and Tyson Wheeler kicked five goals for their respective sides.
Belgrave recorded their second win on the trot, having too much firepower for Emerald and winning 19.14.128 to 11.14.80. Adam Wilson kicked six goals in a best-on-ground performance, while Shane Williams was best for the Bombers, who host Yarra Junction in what should be a cracker next week.
The action is also hotting up in the Sticks Yarra Valley netball competition, with three teams in first division clearing out with a break over the rest – Monbulk, Healesville and Upwey hold a six point buffer (at least) over fourth-placed Mt Evelyn.
Healesville came from behind to snatch a one-goal victory over Warburton, 27 to 26; Upwey got home by five goals over a determined Mt Evelyn, 26 to 21 (Emma Hedge 15 goals) while Monbulk retained their unbeaten status with a 23 goal victory over Wandin, 37 to 14 (Jamie Sands 23 goals).
In the remaining match, Olinda-Ferny Creek got on to the winners’ list in style, accounting for Silvan 48 to 23 (Natalie Bates 30 goals).
In the Second Division, Alexandra got the day off to a good start for the club, dishing out a 31-goal hiding to Yarra Junction, to retain top spot on the ladder (Emma Thomas 29 goals), while Thornton-Eildon did likewise to Yarra Glen, defeating them 39 to 18 (Nikki Davison 22 goals) to remain one game behind Alexandra on the ladder.
Both football and netball squads began training for the league’s WorkSafe Country Championships which commences on Wednesday this week, with football at Monbulk (6.30pm) and netball at Healesville High School at 8pm.
