By Stephen Walter
YARRA Glen claimed the 2010 YVMDFNL Division 2 premiership with a devastating performance at Gembrook last Saturday.
In front of a crowd of more than 2500, Yarra Glen played inspired football to defeat Yarra Junction in compelling fashion.
Yarra Glen played first-rate football in its 53-point victory. It only scored two goals in the first quarter but held Junction to just one behind.
In the second quarter, Yarra Glen really hit its straps with five goals however Junction hung in there with three majors of its own. At half time the margin was 26 points, still well within Yarra Junction’s reach.
However, Yarra Glen put the result beyond doubt in the third as it held Junction to four behinds while booting 3.6 of its own to stretch the margin out to 46 points.
Yarra Junction did boot the first two goals early in the last to give a little glimmer of hope but Yarra Glen steadied to kick the last four goals of the game and become second division premiers for 2010. Yarra Glen’s captain Grant Braden was judged best on ground in a dominant four-quarter ruck display.
Yarra Glen coach Dean De Munk, in his first year at Yarra Glen, set high expectations from the outset and was both relieved and tremendously proud of his club’s achievements.
It was De Munk’s first success as either a player or coach in 21 years of senior football.
De Munk said that the support he got from his assistant coaches Darren Edwards and Adam Easton was instrumental in the club’s accomplishments this season.
De Munk said that he also took pride in lifting the performances of several players who had in recent years played reserves football but became highly valued seniors players this season. Yarra Glen president Mark Mays was full of praise for his players and coach.
“The club worked hard all year as one. The efforts of everyone helped the club achieve this season,” he said.
Mays has already switched his thinking to 2011 and is keen to ensure his club is competitive in division one.
Final score: Yarra Glen 14.12 (96) d Yarra Junction 5.13 (43).
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Reserves
THIS game was full of pressure from start to end. It ebbed and flowed and it looked as though Seville was getting on top in the second quarter as it got out to a four-goal lead. But Yarra Glen hit back with the last three goals of the quarter and at half time the margin was just six points in Seville’s favour.
The second half was nail-biting to the end as neither side could string consecutive goals together. Seville came out triumphant in a game which no one deserved to lose.
Best : Seville: Nick Paisley (best on ground), Ben Walsh and Scott Troyahn. Yarra Glen: Jimmy Marks, Phil Driscoll and Michael Holt.
Seville 9.4 (58) d Yarra Glen 8.5 (53).
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Under 18s
SEVILLE may have gone through to the grand final undefeated but that didn’t seem to worry Emerald as they were outstanding from the opening bounce.
Emerald got on the scoreboard early and jumped out to a 19 point lead at quarter time, kicking with the aid of a slight breeze. Emerald played a brilliant defensive game against the wind and didn’t let Seville get any run going. Seville outscored Emerald in the quarter but only by four points as Emerald still looked in control.
The third quarter saw Emerald score two goals to Seville’s one but that did push the margin out to four goals.
Seville gave it everything in the last quarter and looked threatening at times but Emerald’s one major was enough to stave off any chance of a comeback. Emerald came away with the 2010 Under 18 premiership with a brilliant 16-point victory.
Best: Emerald: Jarrod Donders (best on ground), Andrew Alenson and Luke McKenna. Seville: Ben Abbruzzese, Brayden Schembri and Dean Cecere.
Final score: Emerald 9.8 (62) defeated Seville 6.10 (46).
