By Peter Douglas and Cameron Hutchison
In front of a finals-like crowd, Healesville and Woori Yallock footballers and netballers put on a fine display for the inaugural Dreamtime in the Valley clash on Saturday 27 May.
The senior and Under 18s footballers joined the netballers to help celebrate and recognise the contribution of Indigenous players and culture.
The traditional custodians of the land were acknowledged before the Round 6 match of AFL Yarra Ranges, which was played under lights at Woori Yallock’s home turf.
The designs for the Woori Yallock and Healesville football jumpers and netball dresses included important Wurundjeri symbols such as eucalyptus leaves, a boomerang, and Warin (wombat) paws.
In the senior match, Woori Yallock threw everything at the reigning premiers in the opening quarter, but they came up against a Healesville side that needed to get its season back on track.
Woori Yallock took a slim lead of 11 points at quarter-time.
Healesville kicked back in the second, with 5.5 to 2.1 and enjoyed a lead of 11 points at the main break.
Woori Yallock was not done and they jumped Healesville in the third and arrested the lead back, kicking 7.5 to 3.1.
The weather played a part in this game and the wind was all-important in the last.
Healesville conjured up their premiership form, kicking 7.1 to 3 behinds in the last to be the inaugural winners of the clash.
The final scoreline: Healesville 16.11.107 defeated Woori Yallock 12.12.84
Healesville Best: N. Mende (Dreamtime Medal) (1 goal), S. Gordon (6 goals), A. Davies (1 goal), S. Donkin, A. Fraraccio, L. Daly (1 goal)
Woori Yallock Best: C. Smedley, K. Thompson, M. Baxter (4 goals), B. Monkhorst (3 goals), S. Ismail (1 goal), R. Allen
Meanwhile, in the Under 18s match, Healesville also prevailed.
Healesville 11.10.76 defeated Woori Yallock 9.4.58
While in the A Grade netball, the tables were turned as Woori Yallock (70) was too strong for Healesville (20).
