By Stephen Walter
GEMBROOK secured second spot on the ladder after its 84-point win over Silvan.
Silvan was competitive early, but were no match for Gembrook as it jumped to a five goal lead at the half. After half-time, Gembrook turned up the heat with 12 goals to four to blow the margin right out. Andrew Shipp was outstanding, booting eight goals to take his season’s tally to 62, while Silvan’s Justin Cuzzupi booted four of his team’s seven goals.
Gembrook 19.20 (134) d Silvan 7.8 (50). Best – Gembrook Cockatoo: Ricky Clark, Andrew Shipp, Craig Clarke. Silvan: David Bissels, Justin Cuzzupi, Daniel Scott.
Despite Monbulk having one more scoring shot, Healesville ended up winning their game quite comfortably, thanks to a great final quarter. It was a scrappy game for the first three quarters, as Monbulk was dreadfully inaccurate in front of goal. At three quarter time, it had a scored 5.14, as opposed to Healesville’s 7.4. Healesville’s last quarter was brilliant and if it produced that form on a more regular basis this season, may have made the finals.
Healesville 15.8 (98) d Monbulk 8.16 (64).
Best – Healesville: Luke Barclay, Mark Gibb and Daniel Plozza. Monbulk: Luke McCormick, Billie Hicken and Shannon Koole.
Warburton Millgrove led the more fancied Mount Evelyn at half time, 69 to 54, but couldn’t sustain the form in the third term. Mount Evelyn produced a finals style quarter, booting eight goals to three, to turn a 15 point deficit into a 21 point lead. The last term was even, with both teams scoring four goals. Mount Evelyn now sits fourth on the ladder, still with a possibility to snare a double chance. Warby’s Scott Muir needs 10 goals in the last game of the season against Monbulk to bring up his 100th, after he added a further five.
Mount Evelyn 19.22 (136) d Warburton Millgrove 17.12 (114).
Best – Mount Evelyn: Benjamin Farrugia, Paul Tempest and Michael Smith. Warburton Millgrove: Terry Walker, Liam Barnard and Grant Newing.
Olinda had the aid of a strong breeze in the first term and used it to great effect, starting the game against Wandin with a brilliant 10 goal quarter. Wandin only managed one goal in the same stretch to effectively ice the game. Wandin was quite good with the breeze in the second quarter, booting five goals to one to bridge the gap to six goals at the half. Olinda kicked away in the third term, with a seven goal to nil quarter to push the margin beyond 13 goals. Wandin battled it out in the last, outscoring Olinda five goals to one, but it was always going to be Olinda’s day.
Olinda Ferny Creek 21.17 (143) d Wandin 11.9 (75).
Best – Olinda Ferny Creek: Andrew Greenhall, Scott Tregoning and Tom Millwood. Wandin: Daniel King, Tom Goodwin and Mathew Peterson.
In a potential grand final preview, Woori looked to be in control for the majority of the game against Upwey after a seven goal to two opening term. Upwey clawed its way to within 21 points at three quarter time, but it looked as though Woori always had the upper hand. Upwey gave it everything in the last quarter, booting six goals to two to almost pinch what would have been a great win. However, Woori was just good enough to hold on.
Woori Yallock 16.16 (112) d Upwey Tecoma 16.13 (109).
Best – Woori Yallock: Jesse Ridd, Matthew Stolarczyk and Mitchell Bonuda. Upwey Tecoma: Christopher Hayes (5 goals), Kyle Grenda and Wade Porter.
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Yarra Glen finished the season four games clear on top of the ladder after a convincing 38 point win over Alexandra. Yarra Glen held a 20 point lead at the half and at that stage, Alexandra was still in the game. But it was a four goal to nil third quarter by Yarra Glen which saw it lead by an unassailable 49 points at the last change. Alex held Yarra Glen goaless in the last quarter, but didn’t hit the scoreboard enough to mount any real challenge. Yarra Glen now gets a week off and will play the winner of this weekend’s Seville/Yarra Junction game for a berth in the grand final.
Yarra Glen 12.18 (90) d Alexandra 7.10 (52). Best – Yarra Glen: Peter Moate, Ryan Kueffer (6 goals) and Leigh Hoffman. Alexandra: Damien Toomey, Stephen Steiner and Corey Jack.
Yea needed to either win – or lose by a narrow margin – to hold on to fifth spot. For most of the day, it looked as though Yea was bound for finals, until Kinglake found great form in the last quarter. Yea led at every change, except the one that mattered. Only four goals were kicked at one end of the ground with the wind having a big effect on the game. Yea held a 13 point lead at three quarter time, but its defence was overpowered in the last term as Kinglake booted eight goals to nil. Yea has unfortunately missed out on a finals berth by just .49 per cent.
Kinglake 16.10 (106) d Yea 10.9 (69).
Best – Kinglake: Luke Nott, Mathew Thomas and Brent Gallichio. Yea: James Clavarino, Thomas Bear and Michael Cook.
In a battle for the wooden spoon, Emerald has walked away with the dreaded prize. Incredibly, this win for Belgrave means it finishes the season with five wins to sit only two games out of fifth position. Belgrave started in great style, booting eight goals to one to set up their win. Emerald tried to get back into the game but Belgrave had all the answers to end its year with a 47 point win – and something to build on next season.
Belgrave 17.18 (120) d Emerald 10.13 (73).
Best – Belgrave: Tom McNamara, Kyle Chandler and Joel O’Donohue.
Thornton had to win against Powelltown and hope Yea lost, in order for it to cement a finals berth. Fortunately for it, that’s exactly what happened. Thornton lived to fight another day after a season defining last term. For the first three quarters, this was a seesawing affair, with no side able to grab a substantial lead. At three quarter time, Thornton held a slender eight point lead. It then produced a fantastic seven goal to one last quarter to move into next week’s final with confidence.
Thornton Eildon 19.13 (127) d Powelltown 11.14 (80).
Best – Thornton Eildon: Shannon Galea, Rhys Chapman and Luke Sharp. Powelltown: Rocky Collins, Barry McDonald and Dean Roy.
Yarra Junction looks a real threat for the finals, after making second placed Seville look second rate. Junction’s defence was superb in the first half, holding Seville to one goal, while it booted seven to take a 39 point lead into the main break. Seville did hit the scoreboard in the third, booting four goals, but Yarra Junction held strong – outscoring its opponents by two points. The last quarter saw Junction outscore Seville three goals to two to walk away with a comfortable win. These two teams will meet again next week in the first week of the finals.
Yarra Junction 13.14 (92) d Seville 7.9 (51).
Best – Yarra Junction: Brad Charman, Daniel Edwards and Travis Selby. Seville: Kyle Mountjoy, Travis Murphy and Thomas Eddy.
