By JUDY ORREN
ALL games were played in the true Anzac spirit on the weekend.
It saw some close games and some big wins.
Kinglake braved the fog and came away winners with Chris Tarrant kicking 5.
Wandin A Grade scored a league record in its win over Woori Yallock.
This week’s games see Mount Evelyn take on Healesville, while Belgrave could get a game clear of Olinda.
Division 1 seniors
Yarra Glen 14.9 (93) d Mount Evelyn 11.16 (82)
Yarra Glen has broken through for their first victory in first division, with a fantastic hard-fought victory over Mount Evelyn.
Mount Evelyn started well and held Yarra Glen to just one goal in the first quarter, while they booted four majors to lead by 21 points at the first change.
The second quarter saw Yarra Glen play a more accountable game and even though they didn’t reduce the margin by much, they looked as though they were definitely getting back into the game as they went to half-time 17 points down.
Yarra Glen’s third quarter was superb. All of a sudden Mount Evelyn was chasing as Yarra Glen’s run and carry game came to the fore, Yarra Glen booted eight goals to three, giving them a 13-point lead at the last change.
The last quarter was frantic, as Mount Evelyn challenged on a few occasions but Yarra Glen was able to answer and hold on to record a great first win in first division.
Yarra Glen best players: D. Hurley (3 goals), J. Baughan, B. Ashton, S. Turner (5 goals).
Mount Evelyn best players: C. Haworth, D. Kift, D. Wootton, D. Eliades (3 goals).
Healesville 15.23 (113) d Warburton Millgrove 12.5 (77)
Healesville never really looked threatened in this game; the only thing that kept Warburton close was Healesville’s inaccuracy.
Healesville booted 9.10 to 6.3 in the first half to lead by 25 points, but just hadn’t quite put Warby away.
Healesville extended its lead in the third, with a five-goal to 3 quarter to grab a 40-point advantage.
Healesville really should have run away in the last but they booted 1.10 to 3.2 which actually flattered Warby as the final margin was only 36 points.
Healesville best players: C. Warren, A. Davies, J. Savage (3 goals).
Warburton Millgrove best players: I. Andueza, B. Murphy, A. Joyce (1 goal).
Belgrave 13.20.98 def Upwey Tecoma 9.18.72
Belgrave is right back on track with a 28-point victory over Upwey.
This game was tight up to half-time with scores level at the long break, even though Belgrave had five more scoring shots.
The third quarter saw Belgrave control the play and should have really put the game away but they booted 4.9 to 2.3 to lead by 18 points and keep Upwey in the contest.
The last term saw Upwey pepper the goals.
If they took their opportunities, then the outcome could have been a lot different, but they scored 1.11 while Belgrave made the most of their chances, booting 4.1 to run out winners.
Belgrave best players: D. Collins, E. Clasby (1 goal), T. McNamara (1 goal).
Upwey best players: D. Waters (6 goals), B. Duncan, B. Hinton.
Wandin 17.19 (121) d Woori Yallock 8.10 (58)
Wandin is looking the early front runner for the flag as they ran over last year’s premiers late in this game to run out comfortable 63-point victors.
This game really did belong to Wandin from the outset and even though they weren’t at their best in the first half they still led this game by 21 points.
Wandin really got up and going in the third quarter, and their pace across the ground really started to worry Woori.
They booted five goals to two in the third to stretch the margin to 39 points and then they added another six goals to two in the last to finish the day off in pretty good style.
Wandin best players: S. Dwyer (4 goals), J. Myers, M. Polkinghorne (1 goal).
Woori Yallock best players: J. Adams, T. Gibson (3 goals), M. Baxter (1 goal).
Monbulk 12.8 (80) d Olinda Ferny Creek 8.7 (55)
This game was a dire struggle with nothing separating the sides for the first three quarters.
Monbulk led by just two points at the first break after both sides could only manage one goal apiece for the term.
The second quarter opened up a little, but it was an even quarter with three goals each being scored and Monbulk leading by just one point at the long break.
The third quarter was once again an even contest as Monbulk went to the three-quarter time break with just a five-point advantage.
Monbulk was finally able to break the shackles in the last as they looked the fitter side as they finished with more run; they booted five goals to two to win by 25 points in what was a tough clash for three-and-a-half quarters.
Monbulk best players: S. Van Seters, K. Gray (1 goal), B. Emmett.
Olinda Ferny Creek best players: J. Rankin (1 goal), D. Rohrmann, C. Horner (1 goal).
Devision 2 seniors
Kinglake 23.8 (146) d Yea 5.8 (38)
There’s no doubt now that Kinglake is the team to beat this season after its third win in a row, with a 108-point demolition of Yea on the weekend.
Kinglake really put on a consistent four-quarter performance; they didn’t have a huge break out quarter by any means but they just kept hitting the scoreboard all day.
In the end, Kinglake was just simply way too good and are looking an unstoppable unit after three rounds.
Kinglake best players: B. Wilkinson (1 goal), L. Arthurson, J. Nixon (7 goals).
Yea best players: J. Marasco (1 goal), J. Crowe, D. Skilling.
Seville 14.8 (92) d Alexandra 7.11 (53)
A consistent four-quarter effort from Seville saw them triumph by 39 points over Alexandra.
Although Seville didn’t dominate the game, they never looked too threatened as they ran away in the second half.
Seville led by just 11 points at the main break, but they took control from there on out, they booted five goals to two in the third to jump out to a 29-point lead and then finished the day with a four-goal to two last quarter to win in what was comfortable fashion.
Seville best players: A. Knight, L. Casini, S. Wilson (2 goals), N. O’Keefe (7 goals).
Alexandra best players: N. Dundas, B. Wollard, I. Hedger (1 goal).
Powelltown 11.10 (76) d Thornton Eildon 6.12 (48)
For the first half of this game, it was a ripper contest.
Although not the prettiest game to watch, it was tough uncompromising football.
Powelltown only led by seven points at the main break and it looked as though this game was going to go down to the wire.
The third quarter saw Powelltown make the most of their chances as they scored 3.1 while Thornton was astray booting 1.5, which saw Powelltown take a 15-point lead going into the last.
Powelltown’s defence was great in the last quarter as they held Thornton to just two points, while they added another two majors to win by 28 points in a gruelling contest.
Powelltown best players: D. Hadjer, J. Walker, T. Hallmark.
Thornton-Eildon best players: B. Musgrove, R. Chapman (1 goal), Z. Vujasic (2 goals).
Emerald 12.17 (89) d Gembrook Cockatoo 6.8 (44)
Emerald wasn’t at their dominant best, but they still managed a sizeable 45-point victory over Gembrook.
Emerald started to get on top in the second half and really stretched the margin in the third, as they slotted four goals to one to stretch the margin to 32 points.
The last quarter was a similar story to the third, with Emerald adding to their lead, they booted three last-quarter goals to one to win in what wasn’t a pretty contest but a win all the same.
Emerald best players: C. Porter (2 goals), K. Asling, D. Ferry (2 goals).
Gembrook Cockatoo best players: C. Vernal, R. Delphine (1 goal), R. Wilson.
Under 18s
Mt Evelyn 9.10 (64) d Yarra Glen 8.12 (60)
Healesville 19.18 (132) d Warburton Millgrove 1.0 (6)
Wandin 10.11 (71) d Woori Yallock 5.10 (40)
Olinda Ferny Creek 13.11 (89) d Monbulk 6.12 (60)
Emerald 33.20 (218) d Powelltown 0.0 (0)
Division 1 A Grade netball
Mount Evelyn 33 def Yarra Glen 30
Mount Evelyn has inflicted Yarra Glen with its first loss in first division.
Mount Evelyn led at every change but was never in real control as Yarra Glen challenged all day, Mount Evelyn led by just two goals at quarter time, three goals at the half and by just one goal at the last change.
The last quarter was of finals quality with plenty of pressure applied.
Mount Evelyn was just that little cleaner with fewer mistakes which saw them hold on to win by three goals in what was a fantastic contest.
Mount Evelyn best players: Rachael Hickey (18 goals), Bridgette Barry-Murphy, Victoria Starling.
Yarra Glen best players: Prue Purdey, Hillary Grubb, Georgia Taylor (21 goals).
Healesville 34 d Warburton Millgrove 29
Healesville found some much-needed form to break through for their first win with a five-goal victory over Warburton.
Healesville looked really good in the first half and even though it wasn’t a high scoring contest, they led by 11 goals at the half, they maintained that lead at the last change as both teams scored eight goals in an even third quarter.
Warby did give it their all in the last and were finishing the stronger, but it was all too late as Healesville held on to win by five goals.
Healesville best players: Bianca Grimshaw, Caitlyn Jeffress, Georgia Murty.
Warburton Millgrove best players: Bianca Daniels (7 goals), Morgan Brumby, Jaime Lord (3 goals).
Wandin 106 def Woori Yallock 13
The less said about this game the better for Woori Yallock, but that would be taking away from Wandin who was nothing short of unbelievable.
Wandin showed no mercy as they attacked relentlessly for the entire four quarters, they scored an incredible 53 goals up to half-time, while Woori looked flat footed and only had five goals on the board.
Incredibly, Wandin didn’t slow down in the secondhalf as they double their half-time score by game’s end to end the day with 106 goals.
Wandin best players: Tayissa Coppinger, Melissa Martinov (44 goals), Jackie Cullimore (62 goals).
Woori Yallock best players: Stacey Southwick, Claire Williams, Ashley Shanks.
Olinda Ferny Creek 68 d Monbulk Hawks 13
A terrific four-quarter performance from Olinda who never really gave Monbulk a look in all day.
Olinda led by seven goals at quarter time but really got their run and carry going in the second term, scoring 20 goals to two to take control of the game and a 25-goal lead into half time.
The second half was all Olinda as they went on a goal-scoring spree, adding another 35 goals to their total, while Monbulk only added another five and they all came in the last term after a scoreless third.
In the end, Olinda walked off with a very impressive victory.
Olinda Ferny Creek best players: Tess Linkins (39 goals), Krista Tomlinson, Ashlee Howard (29 goals).
Monbulk Hawks best players: Tahlia Northey (11 goals), Sophie Byatt (2 goals), Brooke Northey.
Belgrave: Bye
Division 2 A Grade netball
Yea 54 d Kinglake 22
Seville 69 d Alexandra 28
Powelltown 41 d Thornton Eildon 31
Yarra Junction: Bye
Emerald: Bye
