By Stephen Walter
MONBULK played Woori Yallock in what was tipped to be the Division One match of the round.
At half time it was anyone’s game with Monbulk holding a narrow 11-point lead.
The second half saw Monbulk play some of its best football for the season, kicking eight goals to two in the third quarter followed by six goals to three in the final term to seal the match.
In the end Monbulk ran out 11-goal winners with a tremendous display of football in the second half.
Monbulk 21.9.135 d Woori Yallock 10.9.69.
Best: Monbulk: S. Koole, M. Hughson, C. Mitchell. Woori Yallock: D. Ryan, S. Ismail, R. Allen.
Alexandra took it right up to Silvan. Silvan did end up with the win – but only by a slender 20 points.
At half time Silvan held sway by a mere seven points.
Silvan got their running game going in the third term and booted four goals to one to take a handy 29-point lead into the final quarter.
Alexandra outscored their opponents in the last but Silvan held on to win in a hard fought affair.
Silvan 13.9.87 d Alexandra 9.13.67.
Best: Silvan: R. Newell, S. Andrews, D. Norman. Alexandra: C. Mullin, S. Kid, M. Hill (5 goals).
Although it ended with a 17-point margin Gembrook never looked in danger of dropping this game.
A seven goal to two opening term set up the win for the Brookers.
Wandin did look dangerous at times with Matthew Peterson kicking six goals and Paul Grayling kicking five.
Gembrook on the other hand had more options going forward with Stephen Goodie the pick of the bunch booting five.
Gembrook held a five-goal lead at the last change and held off a strong finish by Wandin to win their second game of the season.
Gembrook Cockatoo 17.8.110 d Wandin 14.9.93.
Best: Gembrook Cockatoo: C. Clarke, S. Black, N. Muratore. Wandin: C. Taylor, S. Young, A. Goodwin.
Healesville took on the undefeated Upwey Tecoma and at quarter time the Bloods held a six-point lead.
Upwey then showed why they are undefeated as they kicked 10 goals to one in the next two quarters to put the game well beyond doubt.
Healesville tried hard but the running dominance of Upwey couldn’t be matched.
Upwey Tecoma 16.8.104 d Healesville 7.12.54.
Best: Upwey Tecoma: S. Broja, J. Orger, Nick Stow. Healesville: J. Dunnett, R. Carruthers, M. Anson.
Warburton Millgrove fought a battle of the forwards with Mt Evelyn — with Kane Jones boot-ing seven goals for Mt Evelyn while Warby’s Scott Muir kicked six. Warby were good for three quarters and gave themselves every chance going into the last, trailing by just 20 points.
Mt. Evelyn’s last quarter was terrific as their fitness came to the fore, they kicked seven goals to four to finish the game off in style.
Mount Evelyn 19.11.125 d Warburton Millgrove 13.10.88.
Best: Mount Evelyn: D. Curnow, J. Sneddon, K. Jones (7 goals). Warburton Millgrove: B. Morris, J. Iacono, K. Henderson.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Second division
EVEN though the final margin was 40 points it took three quarters for Kinglake to shake Emerald off.
Kinglake have been brilliant in the final quarters of late and this game was to be no different.
Kinglake kicked seven goals to four in the final term to win their eighth game for the season.
They now sit second on the ladder and will be looking to sew up a double chance come finals.
Kinglake 19.14.128 d Emerald 13.10.88.
Best: Kinglake: B. Gallicho, C. McNaught, A. Carpenter. Emerald: M. Steer, S. Wright, K. Fidanza.
Olinda kept their unbeaten record intact with an eight-goal win over Seville.
Seville started this game well and at quarter time held a two-point lead. Olinda played a lot more direct in the second term to turn the game around as they booted six goals to Seville’s two. Olinda slowly increased their lead in the second half as they kicked eight goals to four to win the game in workmanlike fashion.
Olinda Ferny Creek 17.14.116 d Seville 9.14.68.
Best: Olinda Ferny Creek: G. Azzam (5 goals), S. Tregoning, N. Broomhall. Seville: S. Wilson, M. Kershaw, M. Cecere.
Yarra Glen had to beat Thornton Eildon if they were to keep their slim finals hopes alive. Thornton however spoilt the party as they held on to win in a tight battle by eight points.
The third quarter was where this game was won with Thornton kicking five goals to Yarra Glen’s one. Yarra Glen threw everything at Thornton in the last and it looked as though they may have run over the top of their opponents but time ended up being their enemy.
Thornton Eildon 12.7.79 d Yarra Glen 10.11.71.
Best: Thornton Eildon: B. Kapakoulakis (4 goals), A. Mclean, J. Chapman. Yarra Glen: P. Moate, M. Ashton (3 goals), R. Richards.
Yarra Junction slugged it out in a low scoring affair with Powelltown. The first quarter of this game was terrible, at quarter time the score was Yarra Junction 1.4 to Powelltown 1.2.
The football did get better but it never got to any great heights. To be fair the conditions weren’t easy with only four of the 20 goals kicked for the day booted at one end, the wind certainly did play a factor.
Junction was just that little bit smoother kicking with the breeze, which was the difference in the end.
Yarra Junction 12.12.84 d Powelltown 8.8.56.
Best: Yarra Junction: T. Wheeler (6 goals), D. Kieran, D, Edwards. Powelltown: S. Camilleri, A. Nurse, L. Walker.
In a low scoring game Yea kept their finals aspirations alive with a 45-point win over Belgrave.
Belgrave never looked in the hunt after quarter time as Yea slowly stretched the lead as the game went on.
The second quarter was Yea’s best as they kicked five goals and held Belgrave goal-less to set up the win.
Yea 12.9.81 d Belgrave 5.6.36.
Best: Yea: J. Clavarino, C. Graham, R. Akers. Belgrave: D. Bilston, N. Fage, B. Fitzgerald.
* Stephen Walter is chief executive of the YVMDFL.
