YVMDFNL
SENIORS – DIVISION 1
Woori Yallock 14.14 (98) d Wandin 10.12 (72)
SECOND SEMI FINAL
Woori Yallock has booked a spot in The Grand Final for the third successive year after a fantastic victory over a Wandin team that was in red-hot form coming into this game. This match started in great fashion with both sides going in hard, with the score going goal for goal and it was Woori that held a narrow five-point lead at the first change. The second quarter was still a tough rugged battle, but Woori looked steadier with ball in hand and stretched its lead to 16 points by half-time. The third was more of the same, Wandin had plenty of the ball but Woori was always able to edge that little further in front as the quarter went on and by the last change the lead was an even four goals. The last quarter was an even contest and Wandin certainly gave it their all to get back into the game but Woori’s finals experience shone through as it held on to win by 26 points. Woori will now have the week off and prepare for the victor of The Wandin/Mount Evelyn Preliminary Final to take on in The Grand Final the following weekend. Woori Yallock best players: M. Bonuda, D. Ryan, J. Adams. Wandin best players: M. Dyer, B. Chapman, J. Ladner.
Mount Evelyn 14.9 (93) d Upwey Tecoma 11.19 (85)
FIRST SEMI FINAL
This was a fantastic contest and one that Upwey will be kicking itself about as it just couldn’t convert late in the game that ultimately cost the side, not to mention that Mount Evelyn was very good and certainly deserved victory. This game was a goal for goal battle for most of the day but Mount Evelyn did look to have the edge in the first three quarters as it did lead for the majority of the clash — the biggest lead was 10 points at half-time and that margin was narrowed just marginally to seven points by the last change. The last quarter saw Upwey pepper the goals and finish strong but it booted 12 straight behinds for the quarter while Mount Evelyn only had the three scoring shots but they made it count, booting 2.1. Come final siren, Mount Evelyn was probably lucky to advance but it is still alive and just one win away from playing in The Grand Final against the Tigers, as it takes on Wandin next week in the Preliminary Final for that right while Upwey will have to work on its kicking over the summer as its finals campaign has come to an end. Mount Evelyn best players: R. Cowan (2 goals), M. Holly, W. Nicholson. Upwey Tecoma best players: C. Davis (2 goals), K. Grenda (2 goals), J. Hevern.
RESERVES – DIVISION 1
Upwey Tecoma 11.9 (75) d Belgrave 8.9 (57)
SECOND SEMI FINAL
This was great battle early as both teams went blow for blow and neither side could grab a distinct advantage, Upwey led by just one point at quarter and half-time. The third quarter was where Upwey was able to open up the game a bit with some great gut running which broke through Belgrave’s defence and it was rewarded with a five goal-to-two quarter and its lead out to 20 points going into the last quarter. The last stanza was a hard battle with both teams struggling to hit the scoreboard which played into Upwey’s hands as it eventually triumphed by 20 points and now march into The Grand Final in two week’s time. Belgrave will have one more chance in The Preliminary Final next week against Emerald. Upwey Tecoma best players: R. Hannagan, L. O’Brien, J. Hughes. Belgrave best players: M. Hall, E. Doulgeris (2 goals), J.McDermott.
Emerald 9.10 (64) d Warburton Millgrove 7.10(52)
FIRST SEMI FINAL
A low scoring game throughout but one that was in the balance right into the last quarter. The first half was a very tough struggle with both teams not able to generate any substantial attacks, it was Warby that went to the half-time break with a narrow two-point lead. The game didn’t really open up too much in the third, but Emerald did take their opportunities booting three goals to one to grab an 11-point, three-quarter time lead. The last quarter was another tight affair, but it was Emerald making the most of its chances, booting three goals straight while Warby had its chances but was wasteful, scoring 2.5 which ultimately saw Emerald triumph and move into The Preliminary Final next week to take on Belgrave with the winner booking a place in The Grand Final against the awaiting Upwey. Emerald best players: M. Haesler, B. Hamilton, J. Bova (1 goal). Warburton Millgrove best players: J. Walker (3 goals), K. Hall, J. Ormsby.
SENIORS – DIVISION 2
Yarra Glen 11.11(77) d Thornton Eildon 7.14 (56)
PRELIMINARY FINAL
Yarra Glen has made it through to The Grand Final to take on Seville next week after a 21-point victory over Thornton-Eildon. This game started off in pretty good fashion with both sides hunting the ball very hard, Yarra Glen was a little more settled, booting 5.2 for the quarter while Thornton-Eildon had plenty of the ball but booted 3.4 to see Yarra Glen lead by 10 points at the first break. Scoring was hard to come by in the second quarter but Yarra Glen did manage two majors to Thornton-Eildon’s one to grab a handy 17-point half-time lead. The third quarter was where Yarra Glen skipped away slightly, it may have only slotted four goals but it was two more than Thornton-Eildon and its lead was out to 27 points at the last break. The last quarter wasn’t anything special, Yarra Glen only scored four behinds while Thornton only booted one major in a bit of an anti climax to the game, but that didn’t matter to Yarra Glen as it now advance to the big dance next week in what should be a cracking game. Yarra Glen best players: J. Baughan, P. Moate, R. Gurney (1 goal). Thornton-Eildon best players: Z. King, R. Chapman (1 goal), J. Myers.
RESERVES
Alexandra 9.12 (66) d Yarra Glen 5.8 (38)
PRELIMINARY FINAL
Incredibly after an undefeated home-and-away season, Yarra Glen has been knocked out of the finals in straight sets as it went down to Alexandra by 28 points in The Preliminary Final. This game was a struggle early as both sides only managed one goal in the first quarter, but it was Alex that started winning more of the ball in the second term, it only booted two goals for the quarter but held Yarra Glen to just two behinds to take a 16-point lead into half-time. The third was a dire struggle with neither team able to break the game open, and by the last change Alexandra held a 15-point lead. The last term saw Alexandra’s running game start to get on top of Yarra Glen and it made it count as it booted four goals to two to finish the game well and march into next week’s Grand Final to take on Seville for the ultimate prize. Alexandra best players: C. Pearce, Z. Vincent, C. Jack (1 goal). Yarra Glen best players: C. Moate, K. Booth, E. Shaw.
UNDER 18s
Healesville 10.16 (76) d Olinda Ferny Creek 11.7 (73)
DIVISION 1 – SECOND SEMI FINAL
Healesville hasn’t lost a game all year, but it came mighty close to losing this one, however it did what great teams do and that’s find a way to win. Both sides had the same scoring shots in the first quarter, but Olinda was accurate with 4.1 while Healesville booted five straight behinds. The second quarter saw Healesville claw its way back but it still didn’t have its kicking boots on as it scored 2.5 to 1.1. and Olinda’s lead was just four points at the half. Olinda got some good run going in the third and they put on five goals to three to grab a 16-point lead at the last change. This was Healesville’s biggest challenge all year and it stood tall in the last, its back-line was outstanding holding Olinda to just one goal as it produced four majors to hit the lead late in the game and was able to hold on to win and march into The Grand Final. Olinda will get another shot next week when it plays Upwey Tecoma in The Preliminary Final. Healesville best players: T. Sund (4 goals), J. McLeod (2 goals). Olinda Ferny Creek best players: L. Taylor (5 goals), D. Peterson (2 goals).
Upwey Tecoma 11.8 (74) d Emerald 7.4 (46)
DIVISION 1 – FIRST SEMI FINAL
Upwey started this game in brilliant fashion, it was nothing short of superb in the first half as it raced to a 53-point lead while holding a stunned Emerald to just one goal. Emerald certainly didn’t look as though it was going to be a threat from half-time on but to its credit it came out in a different frame of mind in the second half and made a contest of the game. Emerald outscored Upwey six goals to two for the remainder of the game but it was all about Upwey’s start that was the catalyst for its win which propels the side into The Preliminary Final against Olinda Ferny Creek next weekend. Upwey Tecoma best players: S. Shineberg (2 goals), N. Waterman, M. Kirby (2 goals). Emerald best players: T. Hendrikx, J. Turpin, K. Asling.
Wandin 13.7 (85) d Yea 5.7 (37)
DIVISION 2 – PRELIMINARY FINAL
Wandin will take on Woori Yallock in The Grand Final next week after a solid four-quarter performance over Yea in The Preliminary Final, beating them by 48 points. Wandin was way too slick for Yea in the first half and although Yea did try to defend hard, it wasn’t enough to stop Wandin booting eight goals to one to race to a 41-point half-time lead. The second half was a lot more even as Yea did boot some late majors to add a bit of respectability to the scoreboard, but this game was always in Wandin’s control and it will go into next week’s Grand Final feeling pretty good about its form. Wandin best players: A. Napoleone, A. Rouget (1 goal), P. Hodgett (5 goals). Yea best players: G. White, A. Buchanan, T. Worthington.
