Juniors come up trumps on big stage

IT finally arrived, the Dandenong Ranges Junior Football League grand final.
After having a week off, the Healesville under-12s faced off against Gembrook in the decider at Woori Yallock.
After a few days of persistent drenching rain, it was a relief for all to arrive to a bit of sunshine and a surface that was remarkably dry.
The Healesville team was determined to get a fast start this week against a super-competitive, hard-nosed Gembrook outfit, and the under-12s got the job done in fine style.
After a hotly contested opening, the midfield worked hard to give the Healesville forwards a chance to hit the scoreboard and Healesville went in a couple of goals up at quarter time.
The Healesville running game got going in the second and third terms, with the backline really standing up and giving plenty of drive.
Gembrook continued to challenge Healesville on every line but in the end, weight of numbers and a super team effort saw the Healesville unit run out comfortable victors.
Congratulations to Gembrook on a fantastic season; and to the Healesville team for a sustained, season long performance that saw them finish the year undefeated.
Healesville 9.6 (60) d Gembrook-Cockatoo 2.2 (14).
Goals: H. O’Brien 3, A. Amarant 2, J. Garvey, S. Gebert, F. Lever, A. Hyde-Thomas.
Best: J. Swaney, H. O’Brien, J. Howie, S. Gebert, F. Lever, A. Amarant.