Juniors step up for finals

Healesville players from left Jayden Garvey, Harry O'Brien and Kye Creek.

THE Under 12s Girls headed to Mount Evelyn to try to cause another upset in the finals race. The girls put in a great second half, but the damage had been done by Mount Evelyn in the first half.
Mount Evelyn went into the long break with a 46-point lead.
The girls outscored Mount Evelyn in the third quarter, but Mount Evelyn ran out winners by 59 points.
This was the first season of football for most of the girls and the improvement of all players has been fantastic to watch over the season.
Emily McKie coached the girls this year and was ably supported by Izak Daniel.
In the other game, the Healesville Under 12s took on Gembrook-Cockatoo at Wandin in pretty good conditions, and it was heated from the outset.
Having had the week off, both teams were pretty keen to get the upper hand early and earn a spot in the grand final.
With some good centre work, Gembrook had the better of the first quarter and a bit.
Healesville started to get more of the ball towards half time, and with an even contribution across the ground, gradually got on top in the second half.
It was a high pressure, competitive match from start to finish, and Gembrook really served it up to our team.
The team responded well and will take a lot out of the experience.
The Under 12s now look towards the grand final in two weeks.
U12s
Healesville 4.6 (30) d Gembrook-Cockatoo 3.3 (21)
Goals: H. O’Brien 2, W. Bowen, R. Duncan
Best Players: J. Swaney, H. O’Brien, C. Sibley, J. Howie, S. Gebert, W. deZylva
U12s Girls
Mount Evelyn 12.7 (79) d Healesville 3.2 (20)
Goals: O. Oude-Meilink 2, K. McDonald
Best players: M. Tarr-Hatherall, K. McDonald, J. Scragg, O. Oude-Meilink