By Ben O’Brien,
YVMDFL Football
Manager
MONBULK’S status as the best team in the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League was confirmed on Saturday, after a comprehensive 28point victory over Silvan in the Grand Final at Woori Yallock.
After having nine days of fine weather over the preceding four weeks of finals, the heavens finally decided to open on Saturday, making for waterlogged conditions for all four grand finals played on the day.
There are two schools of thought on the impact of wet weather some believe it evens up the contest, while others think that the worse the conditions, the more the betterskilled side comes to the fore.
On the evidence of Saturday’s senior game, the latter argument appears to hold more weight, as Monbulk kicked 5.13.43 to 1.9.15 to completely outplay an opponent that, despite going into the long break with a slender advantage, could only manage two points for the rest of the day.
The Hawks slipped and slid four goals through in the second half which, in the conditions, was probably equivalent to 14, and proved equally insurmountable for the Cats. No player managed to kick multiple goals, with singles to Mark Mullinder, Chris Hughson, Travis Strawhorn, Jason Fraser and Shannon Koole for Monbulk, while Chris Goodlet was Silvan’s sole goalkicker, with Shannon Koole awarded best on ground honours.
After their performances in 2005, if Monbulk are able to keep the bulk of their side together next year, it is difficult to see them not finishing toptwo again. Given a halfdecent run with injury, Silvan should also be thereabouts for the third consecutive year, and no doubt Upwey supporters would feel the same way the start of the 2006 season is only six months away.
In the other grand finals played, UpweyTecoma went backtoback in the Reserves grade competition, defeating Wandin 6.11 (47) to 3.2 (20), with Tom Farrelly (Upwey) winning the best on ground medal, while in the Under 18 final, Healesville defeated WarburtonMillgrove by two points, 4.4.28 to 3.8.26, on the last kick of the game.
Warburton’s Brendan Sneddon, who won the League Best and Fairest a fortnight ago, was best afield.
To cap off a successful day for UpweyTecoma, their netball side won the first YVMDFL netball grand final, defeating WarburtonMillgrove 20 to 14.
Only one goal separated the sides at the final change but, in a repeat of their second semifinal victory, the Tigers finished full of running in the final quarter to give their large group of (saturated) supporters plenty to cheer about the Burras playing coach, Anita Woods, was best on court.
There will be quite a bit happening in the offseason, so we will endeavour to keep www.yvmdfl.com.au updated right through to April next year.
