By Carli Mitchell
TWO of the league’s top teams – Upwey Tecoma and Woori Yallock – faced off in a thrilling division 1 seniors qualifying final.
Woori walked away disappointed and now has to take on fellow 2010 grand finalists Gembrook in a cut-throat game this weekend.
A slow start killed Woori Yallock against Upwey. The difference was just two goals at half-time but it proved too much – Upwey went from strength to strength as the match wore on.
Upwey’s inaccuracy ultimately flattered Woori, which was thoroughly outplayed.
Tom Hedge, Kyle Grenda and Steve Brotja starred for Upwey and Tim Williamson, Anthony Witkowski and Danny Ryan were Woori Yallock’s best.
Olinda Ferny Creek v Gembrook Cockatoo
Olinda Ferny Creek and Gembrook Cockatoo battled it out at Healesville on the weekend in a sudden-death elimination final.
The Brookers played as if their lives depended on a win – taking the game on and taking risks. They were up six goals to two at quarter-time, forcing Olinda to play catch-up footy the rest of the way.
Gembrook was prepared for everything Olinda threw at it, storming home by eight goals and taking crucial momentum into next week’s game against Woori Yallock.
Nathan Brown, Ricky Clark and Nathan Leversha stood tall for Gembrook Cockatoo and Patrick Rosier, Dylan Wilson and David Noorda were gallant in defeat for Olinda.
Yarra Glen v Woori Yallock
Yarra Glen kept Woori Yallock goalless in the first quarter of their division one under-18s elimination final, and ultimately stormed home in the last to win by 75 points.
The margin was seven goals at half-time, with Woori Yallock having only one goal to its name. The onslaught continued in the second half, showing Woori just how much work it needs to do to advance in next year’s finals series.
Healesville v Olinda Ferny Creek
Healesville’s top-of-the-table qualifying final clash with Olinda Ferny Creek lived up to its billing as a tight, evenly matched contest.
The margin was just nine points at the final siren after momentum changed hands constantly throughout the game. Healesville started in a blaze of glory but Olinda pegged the side back. The same pattern emerged in the second half but Olinda ran out of time to sneak in front.
Emerald v Seville
Emerald’s Division 2 seniors second semi-final against Seville was close early but the floodgates burst open as the rampaging Bombers stormed home in an ominous thrashing.
Emerald piled on five goals to one in the second term and continued the barrage in the third, kicking six goals to just one more from Seville. The side refused to take the foot off the jugular in the last, going on to win by 93 points.
Steven Kenny, Brook Kennedy and Steven Wright dominated for Emerald, Thomas Eddy, Matthew Kershaw and Leigh Aitkins toiled hard in a tough day for Seville.
Alexandra v Yarra Junction
Alexandra gained the ascendancy early in the Division 2 seniors first semi-final against Yarra Junction and was four goals up at the first break.
The side maintained its lead heading into the half but Junction finally got into gear and stormed ahead to lead by 11 points at three-quarter-time.
But Alexandra regained the momentum in the fourth quarter, winning a thriller by four points.
Bart Wallace, Damien Toomey and Zach Heaslip were Alexandra’s best and Jamie Craig, Josh Hin and Darcy Kiernan stood tall for Yarra Junction.
Seville v Emerald
The first half of Seville’s Division 2 under-18s semi-final against Emerald lived up to expectations, with only a goal in it at the main break.
But things took a surprising turn in the third. Seville was unphased by its inaccuracy, storming to a seven-goal lead at the final change.
Emerald was kept scoreless for the entire second half and has plenty of soul-searching to do before its next game against Yea.
Yea v Alexandra
Yea and Alexandra battled out the first semi-final in a tight, gripping contest. Neither side gave its opposition room to move as the pressure mounted from the opening bounce.
But Alexandra was the first to blink – managing only one goal in the second quarter and failing to kick a major in the third.
Yea proved why it is a force to be reckoned with at the business end of the season, storming into the final break with a seven-goal lead and maintaining control in the last to record a six-goal win.
