By David Ball and Mick Morris
Yarra Glen hosted top-placed Seville in fine conditions, the weather cloudy and mild with little breeze. Both sides were missing key players so the scene was set for a tight clash. Seville was keen to rebound from last week’s loss while the River Pigs were looking to win two in a row for the first time this season.
The Blues started dominating clearances and general play with nine scoring shots to Yarra Glen’s three. Poor conversion up front saw them kicking 3.6 to be 16 points up at quarter time, 3.6, 24 to 1.2, 8.
With the absence of Dylan ‘Tip Rat’ Broadway up forward for Seville, Rob Petracca was looking dangerous, helping himself to 2 goals for the quarter.
The second quarter began looking much the same as the first as in a matter of minutes Mark ‘Libba’ Cecere dished out a handball to Petracca who slotted his third for the game.
Yarra Glen then shifted up a gear and worked their way back into the contest kicking the next 3 goals, the home side lifted their tackling intensity and the defence was tightening up. Yarra Glen evened up the clearances. Petracca kicked another two for Seville to make it 3 for the quarter and 5 for the half. With The River Pigs kicking 5 for the quarter and The Blues kicking 4 it cut the margin to just 12 points at half time.
Seville lifted in the third quarter whilst Yarra Glen lost their intensity and allowed Seville to dominate clearances on top of their ruck dominance. They were able to get players free all around the ground and capitalised up forward, where they were too strong in the air and on the ground for the Yarra Glen defence. Jack ‘The Big Panda’ Nolan controlled the game across half-back with Paul ‘The Fossil’ Bailey in partnership repelling any attack Yarra Glen attempted. The Sciortino brothers, Jye and Bayley and Sonny ‘Hollywood’ Saniga were damaging with their run and carry. The Blues onballers took control of the game with Jake Strachan, the Cecere brothers Mark and James, and others dominating the clearances. A 6-goal to 2 quarter saw Seville head into the orange break with a lead of 38 points.
With injuries taking their toll, Seville coach Chris Murphy had to juggle the magnets around at the break. The move of Jack Nolan from half back to full forward certainly paid dividends for The Blues, the Big Panda kicking 4 for the term including shaking off four opponents to snap one from an impossible angle. It was definitely show time for Big Jack with the Seville crowd enjoying every moment.
The Blues kicked 7.2 to one point in a solid display in the last quarter, Brendan ‘Maxi’ Dickinson also slotted 2 majors as Seville ran out winners by 81 points. Final score Yarra Glen 8.5, 53 to Seville 20.13, 134.
The Yarra Glen reserves faced a third-placed Seville. The Blues came out firing and dominated the first quarter kicking 6.3 to Yarra Glen’s solitary point.
The River Pigs were stung into action and came out hard in the second quarter and put on 4 goals to Seville’s 1 to get back into the contest.
Sadly for Yarra Glen, the second half was all one-way traffic as Seville took control all over the ground and with some poor kicking for goal seeing the final scores being Yarra Glen 4.2, 26 to Seville’s 14.17, 101.
Netball
In A grade netball, fourth-placed Yarra Glen took on second-placed Seville. After a high-quality contest in the first quarter, scores were level at 12 each. In the second, Yarra Glen took control with quick ball movement and excellent defence, they surged ahead to be 6 goals up at halftime. Facing the prospect of a second loss for the season the Seville girls lifted their work rate and with the occasional quality intercept they reduced the lead to 3 goals at 3 quarter time. The trend continued in a thrilling last quarter. Yarra Glen clung on to the lead for all but the very last minute when Seville was able to level the scores, the final result being the season’s first draw, 44 to 44
Best for Yarra Glen were Katelyn Vanderkolk, Jackie Hibberd and Lara Wandin Collins (21 goals), while Stephanie Gibbs was the other goalscorer (23). Best for Seville were Ella Bayliss, Cleo Minne and Ella Morse (21 goals) and Hayley Ray (19) and Ella Downing (4) were the other goalscorers.
B Grade was a battle between second and third where Seville showed why they sat higher on the ladder. They consistently outscored Yarra Glen in each quarter. Their clinical ball movement and quality conversion in attack saw them winning by 19 goals, Yarra Glen 37 to Seville’s 56. Yarra Glen fought out the game bravely with the best players being Mel Hutton (17), Kim Williams and Ellen Brown (17), while the other goalscorer was Abby Page (3). Seville’s best were Alanna Lennie (31), Cailey Nolan and Lauren Fletcher (25),
C Grade: Yarra Glen was defeated by Seville 27 to 38.
D Grade: Yarra Glen was defeated by Seville 20 to 33.
Other results:
Sadly for the Seville Senior Women’s Football team, their finals run came to an end in their preliminary final at Yarra Junction against Monbulk, going down fighting 10.2, 62 to 4.9, 33.
The Hawks started off strongly to score 3 early goals and apply pressure on the Blues. Seville reeled back a late goal in the first quarter while the second term remained similarly poised with one goal each. A leg injury to Monbulk captain Indy Bakker just at halftime could have derailed things but unfortunately for Seville, it galvanised the team to play inspired football. Running the ball in waves, Monbulk virtually secured a Grand Final spot in the third term with 5 goals.
The 40-point three-quarter-time lead was formidable, however, the Blues threw everything at the contest in the last and two quick goals brought the crowd alive. Seville continued to attack as Monbulk defended bravely but the next six shots all registered behinds, including three that hit the post. The Hawks then steadied and took it to the other end to kick the sealer in their 29-point win.
Next week, Yarra Glen travels to Belgrave while Seville heads to Gembrook-Cockatoo.
