By Marcus Uhe
Woori Yallock overcame a 35-point deficit at half time to storm home with a 17-point win over Olinda Ferny Creek in the Outer East’s Premier Division.
The Tigers led by two points at quarter time before the Bloods kicked six goals to one in the second term to shock the Tigers into gear.
Whatever was said at half time by coach Brian Cole clearly worked for last year’s runner up, with his side slamming on 9.6 in the third term to the Bloods’ 3.2. to snatch a slim lead at the final interval.
The Tigers’ defence then held its own in the final term, keeping the hosts goalless while nailing two of their own, finishing 15.13 103 to 12.14 86 victors.
Woori Yallock stars Kody Busoli and Zach Monkhorst each kicked three, as did Joshua Neal.
While not able to secure the four points, Olinda Ferny Creek’s late season revival continues to impress, having fallen just short against Wandin the week before.
Vice-captain Matthew Scharenberg leads the charge, supported by Noah Desta and Daniel Toma, among others.
They remain in ninth (last), four points behind Gembrook Cockatoo and Monbulk, but will fancy its chances of avoiding relegation, with fixtures against both those sides to come in the run home offering opportunities to secure critical wins.
At Gembrook, the Brookers’ losing streak has reached six matches, going down to Upwey Tecoma by 20 points.
Brad Coller’s side offered a spirited effort despite continuing to test its depth, holding a quarter-time lead and only trailing by two at the half, but were unable to sustain the necessary effort for the duration of the contest, which concluded 12.5 77 to 14.13 93.
Stand-in captain Aaron Firrito played a stellar game to lead his side, finishing with five goals, but Myles Wareham and Jay Verhagen were held to just three between them.
Jai Sheehan, Sam Wicks and Nathan Beacom were standouts for Upwey Tecoma, as was Carmine Porcaro, who kicked a second consecutive bag of four goals.
At Wandin, the big names all fired for Nick Adam’s side in a shootout with Monbulk.
Midfielder Connor Smith joined Jordan Jaworski and Clint Johnson as major goalkickers with four each, with Cody Hirst and Tom Merlino not far behind with three apiece, as the Doggies slammed on 21.12 138 to the Hawks’ 17.7 109.
For Smith, it puts his name firmly in contention for a recall to VFL level, having played four matches for Footscray in 2023 to date.
It’s the second bag of goals he’s kicked this year, having kicked six against Upwey Tecoma in round seven as he continues to broaden his range of tricks.
Monbulk can consider themselves unlucky, having kicked the highest losing score on Saturday in just the second contest where two sides have kicked over 100 points in Premier Division this year.
It was the premiership quarter where Wandin inflicted the most damage, stretching its lead from 13 points at the half to 33 at the final change.
Lewis Oliver kicked four and Lochlan Beecroft three for the Hawks, with Lachlan Sheppard and Mackay Bateson among their best.
