By Cameron Hutchison
AFL YARRA RANGES – GRAND FINALS
THE sun gods shone on Healesville in so many ways on Saturday.
The ground was in picture-perfect condition, the coffee was hot, the barbecue was fired up and the crowd was ready for the last football and netball games of the season for the Yarra Valley.
Netball started proceedings and Wandin had an amazing clean sweep of all five grades of netball.
The Under 18s footy result was as was expected, but Emerald did not let Mount Evelyn have it all their own way.
The reserves was probably also the result that was expected; and, in a low-scoring game, Olinda Ferny Creek held the cup high at the final siren.
The seniors’ game was a low-scoring affair but Healesville – to the surprise of some, especially Olinda Ferny Creek – is celebrating its first Division 1 senior premiership since 1988.
FOOTBALL
Division 1 Seniors
Healesville 8.6(54) d Olinda Ferny Creek 4.9(33)
The conditions were windy on Saturday and favoured the greyhound track end of the ground. Healesville kicked that way in the first quarter and were able to get the jump on an Olinda Ferny Creek side that looked a little shell-shocked. The Bloods kicked four straight, while Olinda struggled to get the ball in their forward line, only managing to kick 1.2. Olinda had the wind in the second quarter, kicking 2.3, but was wasteful in front of goal as Healesville managed to kick 1.1 to go into the main break with an eight point lead. Healesville came out in the third quarter kicking 2.5 with Olinda managing just two behinds. Healesville’s defence in the third quarter was relentless and never gave Olinda a look in as Healesville held a 23-point lead in the last quarter. The pressure applied by both sides in the last was enormous. Neither side gave an inch, and Olinda did manage 1.2 to Healesville’s one solitary goal, but it was not enough to dampen Healesville’s spirit as they run away with their first Division 1 seniors premiership since 1988.
Healesville Best: Tim Costigan (AFL VIC Country ‘Best on Ground’ Medal), D. Anderson (1 goal), J. Nugent. D. Plozza, M. Jeffery, L. Barclay.
Olinda Ferny Creek Best: K. Currie, O. Millwood, C. Horner, J. Rankin, M. Hottes, D. Rohrmann (1 goal).
Division 1 Reserves
Olinda Ferny Creek 8.9(57) d Mount Evelyn 6.9(45)
Olinda Ferny Creek were crowned premiers after their thrilling 12-point win on Saturday. Olinda started the better of the two teams in the first quarter, kicking a very untidy two goals to one behind to take an 18-point lead heading into the second quarter. Mount Evelyn hit back in the second, outscoring Olinda, kicking 4.4 to three straight behinds with Olinda holding an eight-point lead at the main break. Olinda managed to hold off Mount Evelyn in the third quarter, holding a seven-point lead heading into the last quarter. Olinda kicked 1.2 in the last quarter, keeping Mount Evelyn to only three behinds to come away with a thrilling win after been crowned minor premiers.
Olinda Ferny Creek Best: Tom Millwood (AFL Yarra Ranges ‘Best on Ground’ Medal), O. Raszkiewicz (2 goals), B. Schubert (4 goals), C. Darling, C. Brown (1 goal), R. Davis (1 goal).
Mount Evelyn Best: D. Broadway, M. McIlrath, S. Harrod, D. Hickey, J. Smith, J. Barden.
Under 18s
Mount Evelyn 8.6(54) d Emerald 6.11(47)
Mount Evelyn are 2016 Premiers after a game that most people thought was going to be a one-sided affair. Mount Evelyn were able to get off to a quick start kicking 3.4 to one solitary goal in the first quarter to take a 16-point lead heading into the second quarter. Emerald stunned Mount Evelyn in the second quarter, kicking 2.6 to one goal, with four points separating the two sides at half-time. The third quarter was tight, but Mount Evelyn managed to extend their lead to 10 points going into the final quarter. The Bombers had their chances again in the last , having six scoring shots to three, but could not capitalise on their opportunities as Mount Evelyn came home with a tough seven-point win.
Mount Evelyn Best: Bayley Forbes (AFL VIC Country ‘Best on Ground’ Medal) (1 goal), M. Brierley (2 goals), L. Inaps, M. Gibbons, D. Watson, R. Farrow.
Emerald Best: B. Pepi, J. Volta, L. Sheppard, J. Thomas, B. Wilson, J. Pedder (3 goals).
NETBALL
Division 1 A Grade
Wandin 46 d Olinda Ferny Creek 44
Wandin are premiers for 2016 after defeating last year’s premiers Olinda and winning their first since 2011. The Doggies started the better of the two teams in the first quarter, going out to a four-goal lead at quarter-time. The Bloods outscored Wandin in the second, with Wandin holding a one-goal lead at half-time. The scoring was tight in the third quarter with Olinda’s goal shooters only able to shoot five times each while Wandin could only manage 12 themselves as the defending premiers held a three goal lead in the last quarter. Olinda gave it all in the last quarter, but Wandin were able hold on for a two goal win in the end to cap off an historical day with a clean sweep for the club in all Division One Netball grand finals.
Wandin Best: Leah Reilly (AFL Yarra Ranges Anita Woods ‘Best on Court’ Medal), Ruby Tidd, Gabrielle Sinclair (26 goals).
Olinda Ferny Creek Best: Ashlee Howard (20 goals), Tess Linkins (24 goals), Tamara Luke.
Division 1 B Grade
Wandin 50 d Warburton Millgrove 31
Wandin were able to upstage Warburton Millgrove at the Don Road complex with a 19-goal victory on Saturday. The Doggies had their hands full in the first quarter with both teams shooting 12 goals apiece. Wandin were able to get the ascendancy in the second quarter to take a three goal lead at half-time. The Burras were completely outplayed in the third quarter as turnovers helped the Doggies take an 11-goal lead heading into the last quarter. Warburton found some run in the last, but Wandin were relentless in their attack as they held on to win their sixth consecutive premiership and be crowned premiers and champions in 2016.
Wandin Best: Rebecca McMahon (AFL Yarra Ranges ‘Best on Court’ Medal), Carly McDonnell (26 goals), Corinne Bogle.
Warburton Millgrove Best: Brianna Hipwell, Grace Barnard, Stephanie Durant (19 goals).
Division 1 C Grade
Wandin 29 d Olinda Ferny Creek 18
Wandin are premiers and champions in 2016. They were able to secure a good victory over their archrivals Olinda in the Division 1 C Grade on Saturday. In a tight first quarter, Wandin were able to hold a one-goal lead heading into the second quarter. Wandin began to get the ascendancy in the second quarter shooting seven goals to three to hold a five-goal lead heading into the main break. Olinda Ferny Creek found it hard to penetrate the defence of Wandin, which could only manage three goals in the third quarter as Wandin scored six goals to increase their lead to eight goals at three-quarter time. The last quarter was much the same, with both defences working hard, but Wandin were able to prevail to win by 11 goals to secure their third premiership in a row.
Wandin Best: Tash Halton (AFL Yarra Ranges ‘Best on Court Medal’), Rachael Roberts, Olivia Weinberg (15 goals).
Olinda Ferny Creek Best: Sophie Carpenter, Caitlin Portarianos (14 goals), Mary Taylor.
Division 1 D Grade
Wandin 35 d Olinda Ferny Creek 26
Wandin have broken through and won their first D Grade premiership after beating reigning premiers Olinda Ferny Creek by nine goals on Saturday. Olinda Ferny Creek started the better of the two teams, taking a three-goal lead at quarter time. Wandin made a run in the second quarter, with Holly McInerney a solid performer shooting 10 goals while Olinda could only manage six for the quarter as the Doggies took a two-goal lead at half time. The Doggies continued the ascendancy with turnovers by Olinda and clean play by the Doggies seeing them extend their lead to six goals at three-quarter time. The last quarter was fairly tight, but Wandin had the advantage and was never going to be headed.
Wandin Best: Holly McInerney (34 goals), Lahni McKenzie, Chelsea McKernan.
Olinda Ferny Creek Best: Alana Wallis (AFL Yarra Ranges ‘Best on Court’ Medal), Elise Tanzen (22 goals), Sarah Rogers.
Division 17 & Under
Wandin 30 d Warburton-Millgrove 21
Wandin are 17 & Under premiers and champions after going back-to-back in a strong performance against a tough competitor in Warburton-Millgrove. Wandin came out on a mission and completely caught Warburton-Millgrove asleep in the first quarter to take a seven-goal lead into the second quarter. Warburton outscored Wandin in the second quarter, but were only able to reduce the deficit by one goal. The third quarter was pretty tight, with neither team able to gain the ascendancy and Wandin held a four goal lead heading into the last quarter. The game opened up in the last with Warburton able to put on 7 goals. Unfortunately for them, Wandin shot 12 and secured a nine-goal victory.
Wandin Best: Alana Lennie (AFL Yarra Ranges ‘Best on Court’Medal), Charlotte Sparkes, Holly McInerney (16 goals).
Warburton-Millgrove Best: Mary McIntosh, Stephanie Durant (4 goals), Teagan Adams (2 goals).
