Top kick-off for friendly rivals

By Tania Martin
OLINDA-Ferny Creek and Kinglake football clubs forged a bond that was likely to last a lifetime after what was described as one of the most thrilling grand finals ever seen in the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football and Netball League last season.
With the bond strong, both clubs decided that a practice game at Marysville would not only be a good hit-out before the season starts, but it would demonstrate that sporting clubs can unite and support townships that may need a little of that sporting spirit to help lift morale.
The scene was set – Gallipoli Park at Marysville with the ground in perfect condition, brand new AFL-standard goal posts, two tennis courts transformed into a netball court and weather conditions perfect for sport. Matches started at 11am with the crowd estimated at 1000 and set for what was a great sporting experience.
The football matches were played in great spirit with a combined under-18/reserves grade match played as the curtain-raiser before the main game.
With AFL umpire Rob Finlay helping with field umpire duties, the players were out to re-acclimatise to real match conditions.
Olinda may just be a little more advanced with their pre-season with Olinda Ferny Creek 15.13.103 to Kinglake 6. 6.42.
The result did not matter as the opportunity to get players match fit and to try out some different ideas is always invaluable at this stage of the season.
Kinglake’s Brent Gallicho enjoyed his first outing as a player/coach and said that although they had a way to go, the hit-out was just what the players needed, and to play against Olinda was exactly what the club needed.
Kinglake saw good form from Jayden Butterworth, Mathew Thomas and Luke Nott; and, with five or six of their key players to come back, that form will no doubt see them vying for the premiership again.
Olinda coach Mick Scott was impressed with the day and said a game in match conditions was a great insight as to where some of his players were at this stage of the season.
Olinda players showing good form were Ben Day, Steve Gannell and new recruit, ruckman Owen Millwood.
Olinda-Ferny Creek netball teams matched up well against their Kinglake counterparts in two exciting matches.
The Bloods held sway in both games but the result did not matter. Coaches had the opportunity to try out their new players.
Both teams have recruited well and are looking forward to fielding three teams this season. Olinda coach Helen Wositsky said that with several new players, the opportunity to have a ‘good look’ in real match conditions was just what the club needed at this stage of the pre-season.
Kinglake coach Lisa de Munk said that they tried out players and new recruits in a number of positions and that she was excited about prospects for the upcoming season.
In fact, Kinglake were so keen that after their two matches they trained and played another intra-club game to better refine their plays.
Local celebrity Rick Wall, who was instrumental in getting the game happening, was most grateful to sponsors Fox FM who donated one set of jumpers that would be auctioned off after the game.
The auction alone raised over $2000 for the Marysville Football Netball community.
It was inspiring to see sport front and centre in the Marysville township and Marysville organiser John Phillips should be congratulated for his efforts along with his support team of Terry Ross, Leigh Jowett and Barry Byrd.
The next game at Marysville will be the real deal with the YVMDF&NL veterans season opening with a triple header on Sunday 18 April. For details visit yvmdfl.com.au.