A thrilling draw

By Steve Walter
SATURDAY’S Healesville versus Mount Evelyn clash was no place for the faint hearted with the bruising game finishing in a thrilling draw.
Both sides could consider themselves unlucky not to have taken the points.
Healesville squandered a 17-point third-quarter lead while Mount Evelyn failed to make the most of their chances in front of the big sticks.
The game proved to be a bruising encounter in the first half with neither team giving an inch. Healesville held a one-point lead at quarter time and then it was all tied up at the half.
But it was Healesville that looked as though they were taking control when took a 17-point lead at the last change but Mt Evelyn came home hard and it was only the final siren that halted what possibly would have been a great come from behind win.
Healesville 10.13.(73) drew with Mount Evelyn 10.13.(73).
Healesville’s best: M. Fraraccio, R. Carruthers and J. Goding. Mt Evelyn’s best: M. Smith, C. Urquhart and C. Haworth.
UPWEY-Tecoma bounced back after an upset loss to Olinda last week with an impressive 29-point win.
Gembrook continued its good form, turning around a 14-point deficit around following an impressive seven goal to two second quarter.
Gembrook took a 16-point lead into half-time, but Upwey-Tecoma hit back, booting a six goal haul in the third and held the Brookers to just one major.
The Tigers continued to impress in the final term, kicking three goals while holding Gembrook-Cockatoo goalless to come away with a 29-point victory and take out second on the ladder with only a percentage point off the top spot.
Upwey Tecoma 17.7. (109) defeated Gembrook-Cockatoo 12.8. (80).
Upwey Tecoma’s best: S. Mitchell (5 goals), C. Hayes and R. Van Hoorn. Gembrook Cockatoo’s best: C. Clarke, R. Clark and S. Richardson.
AFTER Olinda’s great win over Upwey last week, things didn’t go quite to plan as they were comprehensively defeated by an impressive Woori Yallock unit on the weekend.
After quarter time, Woori showed Olinda a clean set of heels as they ran in numbers and by three-quarter time they were in complete control with a 53-point lead.
Olinda did manage to outscore Woori in the last by a mere one behind but the damage had well and truly been done.
Woori Yallock now sits at top of the ladder.
Woori Yallock 16.11. (107) defeated Olinda Ferny Creek 8.7 (.55).
Woori Yallock’s best: P. Sharp, M. Stolarczyk and R. Allen. Olinda Ferny Creek’s best: G. McDonald, D. Troutman and P. Rosier.
MONBULK made easy work of a disappointing Silvan who looked disinterested in the first half as Monbulk raced to a seven-goal lead at the long break thanks to Michael Hughson’s best on ground performance, who ended the day with eight goals.
Silvan did show a little more promise in the third term with four goals but Monbulk still stretched the lead as they added six majors.
The last quarter was a struggle at best as Silvan only added three behinds while Monbulk was wasteful with 3.9.
But in the end it was Monbulk’s day.
Monbulk 19.21. (135) defeated Silvan 8.8. (56).
Monbulk’s best: M. Hughson (8 goals), S. Whittington and C. Mitchell. Silvan’s best: S. Stegheuis, C. Webb and S. Toohey.
Division 2
THE Powelltown Demons sent out a powerful notice to all Division Two teams that they are still in the finals chase with a powerful victory of the more fancied Seville outfit.
Powelltown won its third game in a row with a big upset win over Seville.
The highlight of the game was the shootout down forward with Seville’s best on ground Kane Jones booting seven, which was matched at the other end by Powelltown’s Daniel Wilson.
Powelltown held sway for most of the game and lead by just 11 points at three quarter time.
Seville’s last quarters at home have been great and they would have backed themselves in to win from there but it was Powelltown that finished with all the run.
Powelltown finished strongly booting five goals to two for their best win of the year and are now getting their season right back on track.
Powelltown 16.5. (101) defeated Seville 11.8. (74).
Powelltown’s best: T. Trenfield, A. Nurse and L. Power. Seville’s best: K. Jones (seven goals), T. Eddy and M. Crowle.
YARRA Glen remains undefeated after a hard fought 25-point victory over Belgrave.
The Thunders’ led the game from start to finish but they had to fight hard for their win, leading by 28 points at the main break.
Even though the margin wasn’t large at the half, the rain started to fall heavily and the game became a slog, so a 28-point lead was as good as 10 goals and Belgrave just couldn’t make a dint despite their gallant efforts.
Yarra Glen 13.21. (99) defeated Belgrave 11.8. (74).
Yarra Glen’s best: L. Hoffman, M. Attard and D. Watt. Belgrave’s best: D. Lunn-Wilson, B. Dadswell and T. McNamara.
YARRA Junction proved good kicking was the key on the weekend with a 23-point win over Emerald on the weekend.
The Bombers had two more scoring shots than Junction at the sticks but it was Junction that lead by 23 points at the main break.
Junction put the game beyond doubt in the third quarter booting four goals to one to take an unassailable 41-point lead at the last change.
Emerald’s Bombers outscored Junction in the final quarter by seven points but it was always going to be Junction’s game and after a couple of disappointing losses in a row, they now find themselves one game clear in third spot.
Yarra Junction 15.7. (97) defeated Emerald 10.14. (74).
Yarra Junction’s best: D. Kiernan, M. Batten and D. Sawley. Emerald’s best: D. Reilly, S. Wright and L. McKenna.
Kinglake vs Alexandra game was abandoned due to heavy fog.