By STEPHEN WALTERS
YARRA Valley Mountain District Community Bank Football Netball League’s season is now underway with season 2013 kicking off on the weekend for both Division One and Two.
A replay of last year’s D1 grand final Gembrook Cockatoo and Woori Yallock was earmarked as game of the day, and many supporters were wondering just how Gembrook would be rebound this season after three grand final losses in a row.
New playing coach Ricky Clark was keen to stamp his authority and he didn’t let his supporters down.
Gembrook 18.12 120 d Woori Yallock 8.20 68
Gembrook got off to a flyer booting seven goals to Woori’s none, and from then on, the result was never in doubt.
Ricky Clark was best afield in an outstanding display.
Clark was well supported by Nathan Leversha and a host of team mates in a dominant display.
Any thoughts that Gembrook’s form may slip this season has been eliminated.
Emerald took on newcomers Belgrave and although the final result was only 12 points, Emerald never looked like losing.
Emerald 9.18 72 d Belgrave 8.12 72
Belgrave had some key players out including century goal kicker Mitch Collins which resulted in Belgrave’s best backman Brad Raaymakers playing up forward.
Raaymakers kicked two goals but it was never going to be enough.
Emerald’s Matthew Cox booted three goals.
Emerald’s Justin Davis was judged best a field in a solid performance.
Belgrave’s Benjamin Dadswell and Brett Thompson toiled hard for the magpies.
Warburton Millgrove’s accurate kicking set the scene early in their clash with Upwey but it wasn’t enough to procure victory with Upwey 13.22 100 defeating Warburton 10.6 66.
It was only Upwey’s wayward kicking that kept Warby in the game.
Upwey dominated around the ground with Hedge, Davis and Broecker gathering possessions at will. Norman and Coghlan battled hard for the Burra’s.
Olinda Ferny Creek will be ruing their missed opportunities with Monbulk 14.11 95 defeating Olinda 12.16 88.
Olinda’s wayward kicking in the second quarter which included eight behinds possibly cost Olinda the match as they had the ascendancy in the first half.
Monbulk’s experience came to the fore as they wore down the young Olinda outfit.
Van Seters and Hicken for Monbulk were stand out performers along with Hughson who kicked five goals.
McDonald and Stevens played well for Olinda.
In Sunday’s clash, Wandin hosted Mt Evelyn in a high standard and entertaining game.
Mt Evelyn 24.11 155 d Wandin 21.20 146
Mt Evelyn’s outstanding third quarter, booting nine goals set up victory.
A spray from the Wandin’s coach at three quarter time sparked a revival from Wandin in the last quarter but it was not enough clinch victory.
Mt Evelyn’s team performance was outstanding with nearly every playing contributing strongly to the overall result.
Mt Evelyn’s Chris Haworth, typically a defender, booted five goals and he was capably supported Cronkshaw, Sheehan and Urquhart in what was a stirring victory away from home.
Wandin’s Michael Fowkes played a lone hand up forward with nine goals.
In a sensational result at Kinglake the match ended in a draw amid much controversy.
The final score according to the official umpire cards was Kinglake 14.9 93 to Yea 14.9 93.
The match has been requested to be reviewed by the league as the scoreboard and timekeepers had Yea leading by eight points at the end of the game.
The game was always in Yea’s keeping and at three quarter time, it was looking like its 35 game losing streak was about to end.
Kinglake’s six goals to two last quarter was a stirring comeback.
Zach White and Jarrad Heal starred for the Kinglake team.
Yea’s Grant Wearne and Josh Cunningham were stand-out performers for Yea.
Powelltown 14.13 d Yarra Junction 12.11 83
Powelltown nudged ahead during the second quarter and managed to maintain that buffer for the rest of the game.
Powelltown’s Linden Walker was adjudged best afield in a dominant display and he was well supported by Matthew Hayhurst, who booted four match winning goals.
Todd Wisewould and Cam Hoare were best players fro Yarra Junction.
Alexandra has started season 2013 well with a huge upset win over the highly fancied Yarra Glen outfit.
Alexandra 18.7 115 d Yarra Glen 14.16 100
Alexandra’s seven goals first quarter set up victory.
Alexandra’s spearhead Jed Hamill has come of age with a seven goal haul to be one Alex’s best players.
Toomey, Jack and Ratliff also performed admirably for the Rebels.
Yarra Glen had a few out but just couldn’t match the intensity of the focussed Alexandra outfit. Attard, Hudson and James were best for Yarra Glen.
Healesville 24.21 165 d Seville 9.7 61
Seville’s brilliant pre-season form and planning came to an earth shattering halt when they were completely outclassed and humbled by a hungry and focussed Healesville outfit.
At no stage did Seville look likely as they were beaten all over the ground.
Healesville were impressive as they increased their lead at every break.
Jye Conrau for Healesville booted nine goals in a best on field display, Jye was capably supported by all of his team mates and in particular Adams, Plozza and Mende.
Among Seville’s best were Price and Wells.
