By Mick Morris
Seville headed into its final home and away game against Healesville at home, a game that both teams were eager to win.
Congratulations to U17s player Ryan Vassallo who made his Senior debut making him the third U17s player to do so this season.
Seville could finish 1st or 2nd depending on other results and Healesville could sneak into the final 4 should thing go their way.
Seville was kicking to the Buster Shore Members Marquee end of the ground and had The Bloods defence under pressure from the outset.
The Blues had 19 inside 50s for the quarter but were a little off target kicking 3-5 for the quarter.
Roberto Petracca was looking dangerous and nailed 2 goals for himself.
Quarter time saw The Blues up by 16 points.
Seville 3-5-23
Healesville 1-1-7
Coach Chris Murphy seemed happy with the quarter asking the players to continue to keep pressuring The Bloods, a team who beat Seville in their previous meeting.
Seville jumped out of the blocks in the second quarter with Big Domenic “Sauce” Aloi snagging a major within the first 90 seconds.
Seville banged 6 goals for the quarter while Healesville could only manage 2 points.
Seville into the main break with a 54-point buffer.
Seville 9-9-63
Healesville 1-3-9
Seville had winners all over the ground.
Big Deng Nai was dominant in the ruck and was great to see Josh Weightman back on the park racking up possessions and driving the ball forward.
The Sciortino brothers tip-toeing through half-back time after time along with Paul “Fossil” Bailey were solid down back.
Big Jack Nolan was chipping in to help out but was having trouble holding onto his marks.
Jack Coshutt was giving The Blues plenty of drive also and the forwards we working well together.
Seville really didn’t let up in the 3rd slamming on 8 goals to 2 for the term, the highlight being Maxi Dickinson’s solo effort by snapping over the shoulder from 50m out on the boundary and boy oh boy didn’t he let everyone know.
Into the orange break saw Seville with a 95-point lead.
Seville 17-15-115
Healesville 3-4-22
Seville was keen to keep the momentum going with finals just a week away.
Another early goal to Mark “Libba” Cecere to help himself to five for the game and with Petracca heading to the bench with six majors it was time for someone to stand tall.
Enter Chris “Critta” Niclasen, first goal was a soccer half volley from 30m out then followed up 30 seconds later with his second.
His third had his trademark all over it.
A reverse torpedo, mongrel punt straight through the middle (sort of) for his third for the term.
Seville kicked another 8 for the term and Healseville had plenty of free ball themselves earning 12 free kicks for the quarter and kicking five goals.
Seville ran out winners by 117 points and claimed second spot on the ladder.
Seville 25-19-169
Healesville 8-4-52.
Well done to the Reserves coach Timbo “Snakes” Baker on winning the Reserves goal kicking award.
Seville heads into finals next week with the venue to be confirmed.
Senior 2nd Semi-Final
Seville v Gembrook-Cockatoo
Reserves 2nd Semi-Final
Seville v Berwick Springs
Senior Netball had a bye and all four Senior teams are competing in the finals but are unaware of opposition at this stage. A special congratulations to the Seville U17 netball side who unfortunately finished runners up on Saturday 3 September.
