By Stephen Walter
MOUNT Evelyn has officially served notice that it is the real deal with a great come-from-behind win against ladder leaders Gembrook Cockatoo. It won 11.13 (79) to 10.11 (71).
Mount Evelyn managed only two goals in the first half and trailed by 18 points at the long break.
The third quarter belonged to the Mounters as they found their running game and slammed on 5.4 to 2.3 to turn margin into a one-point lead at the last change. The last quarter was a grand struggle with both teams committing their all, but it was Mount Evelyn that prevailed by eight points in a classy match.
Mt Evelyn’s best were Michael Smith, Christopher Murphy (three goals) and Chris Haworth. Gembrook Cockatoo’s best were Shannon Richardson, Andrew Shipp and Nathan Leversha.
OLINDA got its second win of the season over the much-improved Warburton, 16.8 (104) to 13.14 (92).
With less than two kicks separating the teams for most of the day it proved to be a great contest. The highlight was the shoot-out from the forwards: Olinda’s Glenn Stevens was brilliant with six but Warburton’s Scott Muir was a one-man show for his side with 10.
But it wasn’t enough to get over a more disciplined Olinda side, which has gone some way after this weekend’s performance in re-establishing its credentials.
Olinda Ferny Creek’s best were Scott Tregoning, Glenn Stevens and Owen Millwood while for Warburton Millgrove it was Scott Muir, Tim McKail and Liam Barnard who is the best tackler in the competition.
HEALESVILLE’S disappointing start to the season continued as it was humbled by 115 points by the classy Upwey side, which won 29.19 (193) to 12.6 (78).
Upwey was unstoppable in the way it shared the football. It had 15 goalkickers and never looked in danger after a seven-goals-to-one opening term.
Healesville did show some fight in the second with both teams scoring six goals but that was about the only resistance for the day.
The second half was all Upwey as it piled on 16 goals to Healesville’s five.
Healesville’s Simon Gordon was one shining light up forward with five goals from limited opportunities.
Upwey Tecoma’s best were Steve Dawson, Jayden Orger and Christopher Hayes. For Healesville it was Casey Adams, Simon Gordon and Luke Barclay.
MONBULK 29.18 (192) defeated Wandin 14.13 (97) but despite the large margin Wandin was quite competitive for the first half with five goals in the first quarter and four in the second. However Monbulk managed seven and eight to take a 37-point lead into half-time.
After that Wandin’s young brigade was no match for the experienced Monbulk team as it booted eight goals to one in the third quarter to blow the game open.
The final quarter saw Monbulk boot another six to Wandin’s four to walk away convincing winners. Its best were Tim Francis, Adam Gee and Dean Clevan. Wandin’s best were Geoffrey Bartling, Andrew Goodwin and Daniel King.
WOORI YALLOCK showed no mercy as it defeated Silvan by 114 points – 23.22 (160) to 6.10 (46). Woori’s Mitchell Bonuda (seven goals) and Brendan Sneddon (five) were outstanding up forward and Silvan just couldn’t repel the constant attacks.
The game was a percentage booster for the winners after quarter-time as Woori booted a further 17 goals to Silvan’s three.
Woori Yallock’s best were Robert Allen, Jesse Ridd and Danny Ryan while for Silvan it was Christopher Webb, Stephen Andrews and Patrick Glassborow.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:DIVISION 2
ALEXANDRA bounced back after its previous week’s loss to record a 10-goal victory against Powelltown, 20.20 (140) to Powelltown 12.8 (80).
The game was a battle of the forwards with Alexandra’s Michael Bretherton booting eight and Powelltown’s Daniel Wilson was his team’s best with seven. Scores were tied up at 46 points apiece at half-time and the third quarter saw Alexandra start to take control with a six goals to three but Powelltown still had a sniff at the last change.
Alexandra saved the best for last and finished the day with an eight-goal term to leave Powelltown without a win after five rounds.
Best for Alexandra were Michael Bretherton, Neil Oakley and Kane Davis while for Powelltown it was Daniel Wilson, Barry McDonald and Luke Darwall.
SEVILLE remains undefeated but had to come from behind at three-quarter-time to win 14.10 (94) to Emerald’s 12.7 (79).
The first three quarters saw a real arm wrestle with neither side able to grab a handy break and Emerald held a 10-point lead at the final change.
Seville has been finishing strong in all its games this season and this was its best. It finished the day full of run and booted seven goals to Emerald’s three to turn the 10-point deficit into a 15-point win. Seville’s best were Shane Smith, Brendon James and Shane Senior while Alexander Hellriegel, Thomas Williams and Daniel Porter did it for Emerald.
KINGLAKE beat Belgrave 20.14 (134) to 16.16 (112) but not without a fight. It wasn’t until the last quarter that it finally shook off a determined Belgrave.
Belgrave led by 15 points at quarter-time and Kinglake turned it around to lead by 11 points at half-time. Belgrave regained the lead by 17 points going into the last but Kinglake plays its ground better than most and showed how to finish a game off with an eight-goal term that turned the game on its ear.
Belgrave managed only one goal in the last and went down by 22 points.
Kinglake’s best were Jacob Sibenaler, Adam Butterworth and Kevin Smith. Belgrave’s best were Tom McNamara, Kyle Chandler and Brett Thompson.
YARRA GLEN continued on its merry way with a convincing 71-point win over Thornton, 22.13 (145) to 11.8 (74).
Yarra Glen got off to a flying start with an eight-goals-to-three quarter and slowly increased the lead over the next two quarters to take a 78-point lead at three-quarter-time.
It looked “how far Yarra Glen?” but Thornton showed some fighting spirit in the last to outscore the league leaders by seven points.
Yarra Glen’s best were David Watt, Russell Cowan and David Ball. Thornton Eildon’s best were Daniel Creed, Alex Kallalea and Sam Creighton.
YARRA JUNCTION remains undefeated after its 63-point over Yea – 18.9 (117) to 7.12 (54). It controlled the game for the day even though the margin didn’t blow out until the last quarter.
Junction has been impressive this season and finished with a six-goal-to-nil last term to take plenty of confidence into the game against also-unbeaten Yarra Glen next week.
Yarra Junction’s best were Justin Gates, Michael Batten and Nicholas Syme while for Yea it was James Clavarino, Chris Graham and Adrian Wilson.
