By Carli Mitchell
GEMBROOK Cockatoo gained the lead early with a 4.1-to-0.8 first quarter in the division one seniors semi-final against Woori Yallock .
Woori Yallock fought back in the second to take an eight-point lead into the long break, but its inaccuracy loomed as a threat to its chances.
Gembrook pounced during the third term, kicking six goals to one to set up its final quarter.
Craig Clarke (three goals), Nathan Brown and Ricky Causer were best for Gembrook Cockatoo. Anthony Witkowski (one goal), Dallas Spencer and Joel Adams (one goal) were best for Woori Yallock.
Monbulk v Upwey Tecoma
Monbulk went into the match after a weekend off, which can often be a hindrance rather than a benefit.
The game started off with not much separating these two sides. Inaccuracy on goal came into play, with Monbulk kicking 0.5 to Upwey’s 5.6 in the second.
Monbulk failed to recover from the setback. The win put Upwey Tecoma straight into the grand final, and Monbulk up against Gembrook Cockatoo next week.
Samuel Gooley (three goals), Samuel Waters and Steven Brotja were best for Upwey Tecoma. Luke McCormick, Shannon Koole and Chris van Suylen were best for Monbulk.
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UNDER 18s
Olinda Ferny Creek v Yarra Glen
Olinda Ferny Creek had many opportunities to run away with the game, but inaccuracy on goal kept Yarra Glen in the match.
By three-quarter-time Olinda had found the break it was desperately searching for – an eight-point lead was enough to put it in the box seat for the final term.
Mitchell Meadows (one goal), Harry Cole and Brendan Thockloth were best for Olinda Ferny Creek. Shaun Falkingham and Ben Ashton (one each) and Jayden Erickson were best for Yarra Glen.
Upwey Tecoma v Healesville
The first quarter saw Upwey Tecoma one goal up, but Healesville fought back to take the same lead into half-time.
Healesville kept its opponent goalless for a half, despite Upwey Tecoma having more scoring shots and the Tigers were unable to recover.
Kurtis Jones, Lachlan Wright and Jake Gerritzen were best for Healesville. Keenan Hinton, Joshua Lowe and Mitchell Hannon (two goals) were Upwey Tecoma’s best.
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DIVISION 2
SENIORS
Seville v Alexandra
Things went well and truly in Seville’s favour in the first quarter of the preliminary final but Alex started to work its way into the match in the second.
Pressure made it difficult for either side to play its usual style of footy. Alex was kept goalless for the third term and Seville kicked just one goal.
Seville’s three-goal lead heading into the last quarter helped it hold on for the win.
Mitchell O’Donnell and Michael Gavric (one goal each) and Leigh Aitkins were best for Seville. Stephen Steiner, Zach Heaslip (one) and Neil Oakley were best for Alexandra.
GRAND FINAL PREVIEW
Emerald v Seville
The match will be played on Saturday afternoon at Gembrook. The two sides were the most dominant this season and the game will be close.
Accuracy is the key. Gembrook’s wide open spaces will test them both.
Emerald was impressive in its semi-final against Seville and Seville will have learnt a lot from that result.
The run and carry through the midfield will be one of the most important aspects of this game.
Unless Seville can shut down Emerald’s run – which has set up many of its wins throughout the season – it will be in trouble.
If Emerald can get on top of Seville’s forwards early it will be in the box seat.
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RESERVES
Emerald v Belgrave
Emerald was the favourite heading into the match, but Belgrave had other ideas. In an outstanding first quarter, it kicked 5.3 to Emerald’s 0.1 and it was all over.
It was a great performance from a team that finished fifth after the home and away season.
Best for Belgrave were Adam Wilson (four goals) and Ryan Hurst and Robbie Matthews (one goal each). Emerald’s best were Grant Minchin, Nick Jansen and Shane Pearton.
GRAND FINAL PREVIEW
Seville v Belgrave
Seville would be the more fancied side, as its dominance throughout the home and away season was second to none.
It will go into the match after a week off and may be a bit rusty, but it is the reigning premier and will be keen to go back to back.
Adam Wilson is the key for Belgrave. His accuracy is imperative on the big ground at Gembrook.
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UNDER 18
Emerald v Yea
Despite a slow start, Yea worked its way into the match, keeping Emerald goalless in the second quarter to take a six-point lead into half-time.
Both sides were wayward on goal. Emerald didn’t go down without a fight, but Yea kicked away in an exciting final term.
Jack Crowe (one goal), William Graf and Jack Hodge were best for Yea. Matthew Dompietro (one), Casey Thomsen and Aaron Thomson were best for Emerald.
GRAND FINAL PREVIEW
Seville v Yea
Seville progressed quite easily to the grand final and was the most dominant team during the season, having only lost one game. The side is favoured to win.
Yea will want to hit the lead early and should be able to. But Seville is a side that never says die and has been near impossible to defeat because of this attitude.
Seville’s forward line has caused the most problems for sides during the season, so Yea is in with a good chance if it can shut these players down.
