First Division – round 16
Upwey Tecoma v Gembrook Cockatoo
FOR the first 15 minutes of this game it was competitive, but after that it was one-way traffic and it was all Upwey’s.
After quarter time Gembrook only kicked one goal for the rest of the match and was actually held goalless in the second half.
Upwey could have and probably should have won by a lot more.
Upwey booted 6.14 in a very inaccurate second half, 2.10 of that came in the third quarter.
Despite Upwey’s inaccuracy it certainly was the superior side and never looked in danger of dropping this one and remains on top of the ladder.
Unfortunately for Gembrook, it now sit one game clear on the bottom and with only two games to go, relegation is looking a real possibility.
Upwey Tecoma 15.24 (114) d Gembrook Cockatoo 4.9 (33)
Emerald v Warburton Millgrove
EMERALD is still in the finals race with a terrific win over fifth placed Warby.
Emerald led at the first change by just two points but it really clicked into gear in the second quarter ramming on eight goals to Warburton’s two and at half time Emerald led by a handy 38 points.
Warby did narrow that margin in the third to 24 points with a five-goal-to-two quarter to keep it alive going in to the last but Emerald wasn’t going to be denied as they scored three-goals-to-two in the last quarter to win by 29 points and now sits just one game out of the top five with just two games to go.
Emerald 16.11 (107) d Warburton Millgrove 11.12 (78)
Monbulk v Mount Evelyn
MOUNT EVELYN led just about all day except when it really mattered and that was at the final siren.
Mount Evelyn led by 15 points at the first change but that margin narrowed to just four by halftime and Monbulk probably should have led if it was a little more polished around goal as it did have six more scoring shots at that stage.
The third quarter was a treat with a combined total of 12.1 scored, Mount Evelyn had the better of it with seven of those goals but Monbulk stayed in touch just 17 points in arrears at the final change.
Monbulk looked the fitter side in the final term as it slammed on seven goals in a great display.
Mount Evelyn did have its chances but it was Monbulk that finished with running and deserved the victory.
Both teams sit one game out of the top five and with two games to go it’s going to be one hell of a battle for fifth spot.
Monbulk 20.14 (134) d Mount Evelyn 20.7 (127)
Wandin v Olinda Ferny Creek
FOR the first half of this game it looked as though it might go to the ire with Wandin leading by just three points.
Wandin showed in the second half why it is a strong favourite for the flag as it sparked into action.
Wandin’s T. Wheeler (seven goals) and M. Fowkes (six goals) were just too much for Olinda’s defence to handle.
Wandin booted six goals to just three behinds in the third term and then topped that in the final quarter booting nine-goals-to-three to win by 78 points in what was a demolition performance in the second half.
Wandin 21.16 (142) d Olinda Ferny Creek 9.10 (64)
Woori Yallock v Belgrave
THIS was by no means a pretty game but it was a tight tough contest that Woori just seemed to have the answers to all day despite what Belgrave threw.
Woori led by 16 points at quarter time, 15 at half, 14 at three quarter time and eventually won by 18 points.
Woori was able to maintain a two-to-three goal lead all day in what was a very well controlled performance.
It might not have been a highly free flowing game but it was finals pressure worthy and a glimpse of what is to come in a few weeks’ time when finals comes.
Woori Yallock 8.17 (65) d Belgrave 6.11 (47)
Second Division – round 17
Yarra Junction v Kinglake
YARRA Junction certainly got a percentage boost in this game and showed Kinglake little mercy.
Junction flew out of the blocks with an eight-goal-to-nil first quarter and it didn’t get much better for Kinglake from then on.
Kinglake did eventually get a couple of goals on the board but it wasn’t until the last quarter.
Junction added another 14 goals after quarter time and will now focus on trying to get a big win over Yea in the last round and take some confidence going into the finals the following week.
Yarra Junction 22.21 (153) d Kinglake 2.6 (18)
Healesville v Powelltown
HEALESVILLE certainly wasn’t at its best in this game but that would be taking a bit away from Powelltown because it did take it up to the league leaders for a good majority of the match.
The first half was a good battle with Healesville going into the long break with a 15 point lead.
Healesville’s third quarter was the difference at the end of the day as it booted seven-goals-to-one to jump out to a 55 point lead and put the game beyond doubt. Healesville’s L Barclay continued his outstanding form in front of the big sticks booting eight and notching his 100th goal for the season.
Powelltown did play a good last quarter and outscored the Bloods five-goals-to-three to take some confidence heading towards finals.
Healesville 18.15 (123) d Powelltown 12.11 (83)
Seville v Yarra Glen
FOR the third time this season these sides met and for the third time it was a Seville victory where they finished full of running.
For three quarters there was nothing in this game, the lead changed on numerous occasions and it was Yarra Glen that led by just three points at the final change. Seville’s last quarter was outstanding and in fact they should have won by a bit more than the eventual final margin, Yarra Glen did not score in the last quarter while Seville booted 4.10 and finished off the game looking the much fitter outfit.
Seville 16.15 (111) d Yarra Glen 12.8 (80)
Alexandra v Yea
WITH both sides not going to be participating in finals this game was all about pride and both sides did play with passion in a pretty good contest.
The first half was an even affair with Alex leading by just the three points at the half. Alex looked a little better with the ball in hand in the third and added three goals to Yea’s one and at the last change it was Alex by 16 points.
The last quarter was reasonably even but it was Alex that was always just on top and stretched that lead to 24 points by the final siren to record a hard fought victory.
Alexandra 13.14 (92) d Yea 10.8 (68)
Under 18 – round 16
Healesville v Mount Evelyn
HEALESVILLE has been playing some good footy this season and although it may not have won as many as it would have liked it put a good four quarter performance together on the weekend and got the desired result.
Healesville controlled the game throughout, it never had a huge scoring quarter but it was consistent all day and stretched its lead at every change in a quality performance.
Healesville 16.18 (114) d Mount Evelyn 7.8 (50)
Emerald v Warburton Millgrove
EMERALD did lead this game all day but could never get a big gap on Warby as it stayed in touch and, in fact, gave Emerald a bit of fright in the last quarter.
Emerald led by 22 points at the final change and certainly deserved its lead; Warby didn’t go down without a fight and made Emerald work for its victory.
Emerald eventually won by nine points in a good battle.
Emerald 9.8 (62) d Warburton Millgrove 7.9 (51)
Seville v Upwey Tecoma
SEVILLE is looking extremely sharp as it heads into finals.
It was terrific in beating Upwey, a team it may meet in the finals, by 47 points.
Seville led by 26 points at half time and even though that doesn’t seem a huge lead it never looked threatened at any stage.
Seville controlled this game superbly and proved it is going to be more than just a threat in finals, they are the real deal.
Seville 10.7 (67) d Upwey Tecoma 3.2 (20)
Wandin v Olinda Ferny Creek
IN A very one sided affair Wandin taught Olinda a football lesson.
Wandin was superb with its ball movement and direct play to goal and it finished the day with five players kicking three goals.
Wandin’s accuracy was a feature of its play as it finished with 24.8.
It booted 8.1 in the first quarter to jump out to a 42 point lead and finished the day booting five goals straight in the last quarter to win big.
Wandin 24.8 (152) d Olinda Ferny Creek 1.6 (12)
Woori Yallock v Belgrave
Woori started well booting 5.7 and holding Belgrave scoreless and it looked like it was going to be a huge win for Woori.
Woori did still win well in the end but they certainly weren’t anywhere near its best.
Woori scored a further 5.7 after quarter time while Belgrave did have its chances scoring 1.9 but it was always going to be Woori’s game despite its inconsistency throughout the game.
Woori Yallock 10.14 (74) d Belgrave 1.9 (15)
Veterans Semi Finals
Marysville v Woori Yallock
MARYSVILLE performed with distinction on the weekend and defeated top side Woori Yallock in a do-or-die elimination final.
Some inaccurate kicking from Woori Yallock gave Marysville the opening and it made the most of every opportunity.
Marysville’s commitment and attack on the ball could not be matched by Woori Yallock.
Marysville 8.8 (56) d Woori 5.12 (42)
Wandin v Croydon North
In the other final, Wandin dominated with a comprehensive victory over Croydon North.
Wandin played its ground to advantage utilizing a strong wind and booting several nine-point goals.
Wandin 16.23 (119) d Corydon North 6.12 (48).
Grand Final match – Wandin v Marysville will be held at Woori Yallock on 25 August from 2.30pm.
