By JUDY ORREN
Division 1 seniors
Belgrave 15.10 (100) d Woori Yallock 14.14 (98)
Belgrave led this game all day, but had to fight off a fast-finishing Woori Yallock late in the game. Belgrave was good in the first half as they opened the day with a 6-goal-to-2 first quarter to lead by 25 points. Both sides booted four goals apiece in the second, and Woori did have more of the play, but wasted its chances as it trailed by 20 points at the half.
In the third term, Woori once again had more of the play but a wasteful 3.5 to 2.2 still saw it in arrears by 11 points at the last change. The last quarter was a thriller. Woori was coming hard, and it scored five goals straight, but Belgrave had the answers as it slotted 3.3, which was enough for them to hold on to win by two points and move one game clear into fourth spot.
Belgrave best players: J. Brown (2 goals), B. Dadswell (1 goal), D. Collins (1 goal)
Woori Yallock best players: J. Adams (1 goal), M. Batten, M. Lowe.
Olinda Ferny Creek 28.18 (156) d Warburton Millgrove 7.9 (51)
Olinda was excellent from start to finish, and Warby just couldn’t match their dominant running game. Olinda got out to a six-goal lead by half-time. Warby was trying hard, but after the long break Olinda really upped their intensity. They booted 5 goals to just 4 behinds in the third to race to a 66-point advantage. They then kicked right away in the last with a 7-goal-to-1 term to win by 105 points and now sit one game clear in fifth spot.
Olinda Ferny Creek best players: J. Wallis (1 goal), D. Wilson (1 goal), M. Mollica (7 goals)
Warburton Millgrove best players: A. Joyce, L. Barnard, S. Andueza.
Monbulk 21.19 (145) d Upwey Tecoma 14.16 (100)
Monbulk did win quite comfortably in the end, but they certainly didn’t have it all their own way. Monbulk was certainly the better side in the first half as they got out to a 33-point lead, thanks to a 7-goal-to-3 second term. The third quarter was where Upwey really came back hard. They booted 5.3 while Monbulk kept Upwey in the contest with their inaccuracy, scoring 1.9 to see their lead reduced to just 19 points at the last change. The last term was a free flowing affair and both sides got plenty of the ball, but it was Monbulk that finished the day full of run, ramming home 8 goals to 3 to win by 45 points, which sees them now go one game clear in second spot.
Monbulk best players: D. Ward (1 goal), S. Williams (1 goal), T. Armstrong
Upwey Tecoma best players: D. Waters (5 goals) J. Waters (4 goals), S. Dawson (2 goals)
Wandin 13.16 (94) d Healesville 9.11 (65)
Wandin was given a semi-fright for the first time this season as they came up against a disciplined and accountable Healesville in the first half. Healesville led by eight points at the long break and Wandin had a battle on their hands. As good as Healesville was in the first half, they just couldn’t curtail Wandin’s run in the third as they booted 7 goals to 2 to grab a handy 26-point lead at the final break. The last term was a reasonably tight battle, with Wandin outscoring Healesville by just three points to win by 29 points and remain undefeated, two games clear on top of the ladder.
Wandin best players: J. Taylor, R. Wilson (2 goals), M. Polkinghorne
Healesville best players: D. Anderson, C. Warren (1 goal), L. Daly
Mount Evelyn 15.21 (111) d Yarra Glen 15.11 (101)
Mount Evelyn has pulled off a great come-from-behind win to get over Yarra Glen. Yarra Glen was terrific in the first half as they booted 10 goals to 2 and led by 44 points at the main break, and it looked how far Yarra Glen. Mount Evelyn came out in the third and really took the game on. They were somewhat wasteful, booting 5.7 to 3.1, but they had reduced the margin to 26 points to put them in touch, going into the last term. Mount Evelyn’s last term was outstanding. They produced arguably their best quarter of the year as they slammed on 8 goals to Yarra Glen’s 2 to take the lead late in the game and come away with a memorable victory, leaving Yarra Glen wondering how they let this one get away.
Mount Evelyn best players: R. Cowan (3 goals), B. Forbes (3 goals), G. Fraser (1 goal)
Yarra Glen best players: J. Baughan, K. Hudson, B. James (1 goal).
Division 2 Seniors
Gembrook Cockatoo 9.9 (63) d Kinglake 7.12 (54)
Gembrook now finds itself two games clear in fifth spot after a hard-fought win over Kinglake, which have now slipped to third spot after their third loss in a row. Even though the final margin was only nine points, Gembrook held the lead at every change. They led by 11 points at the first break and by just eight at half-time. The third quarter was where Gembrook did kick ahead a little, they only slotted the three goals but they did hold Kinglake to just one major to go into three-quarter time with a 16-point lead. The last quarter was real struggle with both sides finding it hard to get through each other’s defence. Kinglake won the quarter 2 goals to 1, but Gembrook were able to control the ball when necessary and were able to hold on to win by nine points in what was a tough encounter.
Gembrook Cockatoo’s best players: T. Scott, S. Martin, L. Scott (1 goal)
Kinglake’s best players: J. Butterworth, J. Walker (1 goal), T. Arnott
Thornton-Eildon 10.15 (75) d Seville 11.7 (73)
Thornton now sits one game clear in second spot after their nail-biting two-point victory while Seville was left heart broken and find themselves two games out of the top five. This game was a top-class contest. It went goal for goal in the first half, and it was Thornton that had their nose in front by just eight points at the long break. The third term was a big struggle as both sides found it hard to score, as both defences were standing tall. Thornton scored 2 goals to 1 to increase their lead to 16 points by three-quarter time. Seville came out in the last and found some great running form that had been avoiding them all day. They finished strong, booting 5.1, while Thornton did have enough of the ball, but didn’t convert well enough to put a big gap on their opponents. They scored 2.5, which fortunately for them was enough to get over the line, come final siren in what a classic contest.
Thornton-Eildon best players: R. Chapman (1 goal), J. Chapman, B. Kapakoulakis.
Seville best players: L. Casini, C. Pahi (3 goals), R. Davis.
Powelltown 17.16 (118) d Yarra Junction 14.9 (93)
This was really a good game of footy that Powelltown had to work overtime to get the victory as they eventually pulled away late in the game. The first half was a goal-for-goal affair. Powelltown could have led by more than their eight-point lead at the half as they booted 7.11 to 7.3 and wasted a few chances. The third term was another even contest with both sides slotting four goals and Powelltown’s lead only increased to nine points at the last break. Powelltown showed in the last they are capable of competing with the teams at the top end, as they played a controlled, professional term to finish the day. They booted six goals and while Yarra Junction still gave it their all booting three goals, it was Powelltown that controlled the tempo to come away with a good 25-point victory.
Powelltown best players: M. McArthur, N. Moody, G. Newing (6 goals)
Yarra Junction best players: T. Cordwell, E. Wadsworth (1 goal), S. Danilovic (6 goals)
Emerald 20.9 (129) d Yea 1.5 (11)
Emerald was a class above Yea as they really taught them a football lesson. They shot out to a 50-point lead at half-time, booting nine goals while holding Yea to just one major. The second half was simply more of the same. Emerald dominated the play, they added another 11 goals to their total while unfortunately for Yea, they couldn’t add another goal to their score as they went down by 118 points in a game they would rather forget. Emerald sit one game clear on top of the ladder and have added to what was an already healthy percentage.
Emerald best players: R. Simpson (2 goals), L. McKenna, A. Hellriegel (7 goals)
Yea best players: D. Evans, J. Ryan, C. Evans.
Alexandra: Bye
Under 18s
Healesville 25.14 (164) d Yarra Glen 2.5 (17)
Healesville showed their class as they blew Yarra Glen away early with a 7-goal-to-1-behind first term to set the tone for the day. Healesville next three quarters were consistent as they booted six goals in each. Yarra Glen did battle hard, but could only snag two majors for the day as Healesville’s form was right on song. The final margin a big 147 points, which sees Healesville remain on top of the ladder with a huge percentage.
Healesville best players: R. Hunter (4 goals), L. Oliver (1 goal), J. Parish-Donkin.
Yarra Glen best players: L. Bourke, B. Hindaugh-Billington (1 goal), J. Clare.
Belgrave 16.8 (104) d Woori Yallock 11.8 (74)
This game was a real struggle in the first three quarters, with both sides finding it hard to score. Belgrave did lead at the final break by 19 points with a score-line of 6.3 (39) to 3.7 (25). The last quarter was a complete contrast to the first three as goals came thick and fast. Woori booted eight goals in the final term with B. Arnold doing his best to keep his side in the contest, finishing with eight goals to his name. However, Belgrave fared even better in the last as they slotted 10 majors and had more avenues to goal which proved the difference in the end as they triumphed by 30 points.
Belgrave best players: J. Muller (1 goal), L. Graeme, T. Somervaille
Woori Yallock best players: B. Arnold (8 goals), B. Saxon, L. Amarant
Olinda Ferny Creek 9.14 (68) d Warburton Millgrove 7.7 (49)
Olinda was really good in the first half as they got out to a 35-point lead while holding Warburton to just two behinds. To Warburton’s credit, they came out in the second-half and made it a real contest. They booted 7 goals to 4 for the remainder of the clash, however, Olinda’s half-time lead was always going to be difficult to overcome and that proved to be the case as they walked off with a 19-point victory.
Olinda Ferny Creek best players: B. Currie (1 goal), R. Cottam-Starkey, B. Mensa-Mauger
Warburton Millgrove best players: D. Nippers, D. Bedggood, J. Blake (3 goals)
Upwey Tecoma 17.15 (117) d Monbulk 5.3 (33)
Upwey started off a bit slow, but once they got their run up and going, they looked great and Monbulk just couldn’t go with them. Upwey led by seven points at quarter time and stretched that to 28 by the half. The second half was where Upwey asserted their dominance. They booted 5 goals to 1 in the third and backed that up with a 6 goals to 2 final term to win by 84 points in convincing fashion.
Upwey Tecoma best players: T. McKern (2 goals), B. Oates (2 goals), B. Stimac-Wuttke
Monbulk best players: B. James, B. Redfern, C. Spooner.
Wandin 17.10 (112) d Mount Evelyn 6.8 (44)
Wandin got off to a flyer with a 7 goal to 2 behinds first term to set themselves up for the day. The second term was more of an even contest, but Wandin did stretch their lead as they went into half-time with 49 point advantage. The second half was a reasonable battle as Mount Evelyn did play a more accountable style but Wandin was still able to outscore them in the second half, booting 7 goals to 4 to win by a comfortable 68 points.
Wandin best players: P. Hodgett (7 goals), L. Jones (1 goal), M. Sandfort (2 goals)
Mount Evelyn best players: M. Oultram, D. Giblin, J. Thompson (2 goals)
Emerald 20.13 (133) d Yea 4.3 (27)
Emerald was way too good for Yea as they led from start to finish. Emerald wasn’t at their best in the first three quarters, but was still good enough to go into the last quarter with a 48-point lead. The last quarter saw Emerald produce some of their finest play, as they really turned it on. They finished the day in style, slamming on nine goals while holding Yea scoreless to win by 106 points, thanks to a brilliant last term.
Emerald best players: R. Van Haren, K. Asling (2 goals), M. Nellen (2 goals)
Yea best players: H. Jarvie, D. Howard, L. White (2 goals)
Powelltown: Bye
Division 1 A Grade Netball
Belgrave 46 d Woori Yallock 37
Belgrave has finally tasted success after a few hard weeks on the court. They started well, with a 16-goals-to-9 first quarter and then stretched their lead out to 10 goals by the half. The third quarter saw Belgrave shoot 10 goals to 6 to get out to a handy 14-goal lead at the last change. Woori Yallock showed some real spunk in the last, and even thought they were never going to win this contest, they at least went down fighting. They won the quarter 13 goals to 8, but it was never going to be good enough as Belgrave walked off with a 9-goal win.
Belgrave best players: Jessica Weisgerber (32 goals), Cassandra Lynch, Lauren Read
Woori Yallock best players: Kimberley Williams, Claire Williams, Heidi Summers (20 goals)
Yarra Glen 46 d Mount Evelyn 31
This was a great battle in the first half, with both teams giving their all with Mount Evelyn going into half-time with a three-goal lead. The third term saw Yarra Glen get right on top as their ball movement was superb. They scored 14 goals to 5 to grab a six-goal buffer at three-quarter time. The last term was a copy of the third, with Yarra Glen continuing to stretch their lead. Once again, it was a 14-goal-to-5 term, which saw Yarra Glen come away with a 15-goal victory, thanks to a brilliant second half.
Yarra Glen best players: Peta Fay, Elizabeth Kay (13 goals), Prue Purdey
Mount Evelyn best players: Elissa Dykstra (15 goals), Kate Youlten, Jessica Walker.
Olinda Ferny Creek 69 d Warburton Millgrove 29
Warburton was competitive early in this game, but Olinda still led by four goals at quarter time. They got on a roll in the second term, scoring 15 goals to just 3 and their lead had blown out 16 goals at half-time. The second half was a similar story to the first. Olinda was just too skilled and despite Warburton’s best efforts, Olinda still added another 34 goals to 15 to win by 35 goals with a consistent four-quarter performance.
Olinda Ferny Creek best players: Krista Tomlinson, Ashlee Howard (28 goals), Gretta Hankinson
Warburton Millgrove best players: Bianca Daniels (15 goals), Karly Wappett, Kellie Davidson.
Wandin 80 d Healesville 19
Wandin continue to dominate the competition, this time with a 61-goal victory over Healesville. Wandin was just way too skilful in the first half, as they shot out to a 27-goal lead. The second half was an even more dominant display as Wandin just kept getting better as the game went on. They added another 43 goals to Healesville’s 9 to run away with a substantial victory.
Wandin best players: Melissa Martinov (29 goals), Ruby Tidd
Healesville best players: Samantha Murty (14 goals), Chelsea Connell, Caitlyn Jeffress
Monbulk Hawks: Bye
Division 2 A Grade Netball
Seville 54 d Thornton-Eildon 27
Seville was simply too strong for Thornton-Eildon as they had all the answers. Thornton-Eildon wasn’t terrible by any means as they did battle quite hard throughout, but Seville’s form was just a class above as they won by 27 goals in a pretty good all-round performance.
Seville best players: Mariah Scully, Riley Gentle, Morgan Wyatt
Thornton-Eildon best players: Anita Keddell (18 goals), Melinda Sier, Alesha Davison
Yarra Junction 46 d Powelltown 36
This was a really good clash, with both sides giving it everything in the first half. Yarra Junction had the edge, but it was only as they went into half-time with a three-goal lead. The third quarter was another even encounter, but it was Yarra Junction that was able to extend their lead to five goals at the final change. The last quarter was quite a low- scoring encounter, but it was Yarra Junction that scored 7 goals to just 2 to come away with what was a good and tough victory.
Yarra Junction best players: Courtney Richards, Catherine Cook, Katelyn Betts (9 goals)
Powelltown best players: Michelle Finlay, Demi Barber.
Yea 42 d Emerald 41
This was a brilliant game that had big momentum swings throughout. Yea looked to be in control in the first half as they got out to a nine-goal lead at half time. Emerald came out in the third and turned this game around in a rush as they shot 13 goals while Holding Yea to just 3, and at the last change it was Emerald leading by just one goal. The last quarter was a beauty as both sides went goal for goal, Yea shot 11 goals for the term to sneak ahead while Emerald scored nine, but it was Yea that triumphed by the slimmest of margins in what was an absolute classic.
Yea best players: Lucy Marks, Amy Taylor, Sarah Hogan (31 goals)
Emerald best players: Nicole Argoon, Lara Martin (19 goals), Megan Pearton (22 goals)
Kinglake: Bye
Alexandra: Bye
