By Stephen Walter, YVMDFL CEO
THE YVMDFL kicked off season 2009 with a full complement of games in both divisions on the weekend
In Division One, the unfurling of the Alexandra flag did little to inspire its team as they were humbled by a primed Monbulk by 185 points. Alex couldn’t match the running power of Monbulk as they kicked goals at will.
Shannon Koole was superb kicking four goals, Luke McCormick was best afield in a great display of skilled football for the Hawks.
Monbulk 31.17.203 d Alexandra 3.10.28.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Mt Evelyn v Silvan
Mt Evelyn almost caused the upset of the season and will consider themselves unlucky as they had Silvan in big trouble. Mt Evelyn at one stage was up 40 points during the third quarter and went into the last quarter with a 21 point lead.
Silvan was never going to lie down, and proved why they had won the last two flags, as they ran over the top of their opposition to record an inspirational seven-point win.
David Gillespie and Dean Carswell were instrumental in the Cats’ comeback, and Gary Moorcroft couldn’t be stopped as he booted nine. Mt. Evelyn’s Chris Haworth (four goals), Steven Tesoriero and Steve Martin were easily their side’s best.
Silvan 17.14.116 d Mt Evelyn 15.19.109.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Warburton v Gembrook
In a sensational finish, the scoreboard said one thing and goal umpire cards said another with Warby possibly winning by one point. The game is in dispute.
The score currently stands as, Warburton 15.15 105 d Gembrook 15.14 104. The crowd was treated to a fantastic game of football with neither team leading by more than a kick at any change. The last quarter was an enthralling contest with both teams booting five goals.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Healesville v Wandin
There is no doubting Healesville’s readiness as they thumped Wandin by 124 points. Wandin didn’t have any answers as the Bloods shared the ball brilliantly ending up with 12 separate goal kickers for the day.
Jye Conrau and Beau Wilkinson kicked five each for the Bloods with Daniel Johnson chiming in with four.
James Dunnett and Daniel Plozza had the ball on a string and were easily among the best. As for Wandin, it was a hard battle all day but John Aumann, Adam Oxley and Matt Bourchier could all walk off the ground with their heads held high.
Healesville 28.12.180 d Wandin 8.8.56.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Upwey v Woori Yallock
In an emotional day at Upwey, which was dedicated to several club members who had recently lost their lives, Upwey played inspired football to defeat Woori 22.12.144 to 12.12.84.
Upwey didn’t have it all their own way though as the 10-goal victory might suggest, it was only the eight goal to four last quarter that finally shook off Woori Yallock.
Upwey’s Steve Brotja was best afield and was ably supported by Shaun Jones and Josh Kamoen (four goals).
Woori Yallock’s Robert Allen and Tim Williamson tried hard all day to keep their team in touch, Ben Monkhorst looked good in front of goals kicking three majors.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Division Two
Olinda v Yarra Glen
Olinda’s performance against the fancied Yarra Glen outfit can only be described as devastating.
Olinda 36.21.237 d Yarra Glen 10.10.70.
What was tipped to be the match of the round turned out to be anything but. Yarra Glen was handed a football lesson from Olinda as they booted a massive 36 goals to Yarra Glen’s 10.
Before the Thunder could blink, Olinda had five goals on the board in an extraordinary first quarter in which they booted 12 goals to three.
Yarra Glen did hold their own in the second with both teams kicking three goals but after half time, Olinda went on their merry way booting another 21 goals to three.
For the winners David Norda was best afield as he helped himself to seven goals, Ben O’Neill and George Azzam were unstoppable as they booted eight goals each.
Yarra Glen was served well by Peter Moate, Carl Augello and David Watt. Dean Selkrig was a loan hand down forward kicking five goals in what was a dark day for the Glen.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Kinglake v Yea
Kinglake had a comfortable win over a disappointing Yea team, who were undermanned with several key players missing.
Kinglake 25.17.167 d Yea 6.7.43.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Emerald v Thornton Eildon
Emerald 15.9.99 defeated a gallant Thornton Eildon 13.5.83. This was a terrific game all day with the result still in doubt deep into the last quarter.
With both teams failing to open their account in round one, this was an important clash for both sides.
Emerald’s Steve Cusworth was proving a headache for the opposition as he was probably the difference in the end with his six majors proving vital, Michael Scoon and Clinton Marsh should be proud of their efforts as their never say die attitude got Emerald over the line.
Thornton’s Adam McLean and Zachary Carden both played great games collecting numerous possessions and keeping their team in touch, Kevin Brown looked dangerous down forward booting three goals.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Seville v Powelltown
Both sides were after their first win for the season. The previous week Seville was brave against Olinda and Powelltown was disappointing against Junction.
In what was a reasonably close first quarter with Seville just holding sway. The home team then piled on 12 goals to Powelltown’s five to run out comfortable winners.
Seville’s Sean Watson, Shane Smith and Dean Troyan were among the best, kicking 10 goals between them in a fine display of sharing the ball. Powelltown’s Barry McDonald, Lindon Walker and Michael Nicholls were good all day and showed great character to battle it out to the final siren.
Seville 17.18.120 d Powelltown 8.4.52.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Belgrave v Yarra Junction
Belgrave would have been disappointed with their performance in round one and unfortunately things didn’t get any better in round two against a vastly improved Yarra Junction.
Although the scores were close in the first half, Yarra Junction wasted opportunities in front of the big sticks and should have been a lot further in front than the scoreboard indicated.
The Eagles hit their straps in the second half, booting 12 goals to Belgrave’s five to record their second win in two outings.
For the winners Cameron Hoare, Hugh Wadsworth and Brad Charmin carved the opposition and mounted numerous attacks that David Lever took advantage of finishing with five goals.
Belgrave’s David Bilston, Damon Ferguson and David Loosz were easily Belgrave’s best with Adam Wilson making the most of his opportunities kicking three goals.
Yarra Junction 16.18.114 d Belgrave 9.9.63.
