This weekend’s games saw Healesville at home again hosting Mount Evelyn.
First up was Healesville’s Senior Women taking on the dominant force that is Mount Evelyn.
With a number of players unavailable and few out sick, Healesville were reduced to playing with only 15 a side which was always going to be tough ask for the women especially playing on such a large ground.
The first quarter and Healsville girls did extremely well restricting Mount Evelyn to just 1.2 whilst scoring just a single behind.
Next quarter and Mount Evelyn started to exert their dominance more putting on 2.3 and keeping Healesville scoreless.
The score at the main break Mount Evelyn 3.5.23 Healesville 0.1.1.
The second half saw Mount Evelyn continue their dominance putting on 6.10 with Healesville again not managing to get on the scoreboard.
A really valiant effort by the Healesville line up but in the end Mount Evelyn once again showing why they are the benchmark in women’s football in Outer East running out comprehensive winners 9.15.69 to 0.1.1. Best for Healesville A.Bryan, I. Stock, A. Frazzetto, S. Crossman, M. Cianci, K. Thomas.
Next up, Healesville U18’s looking to improve on the 75-point loss to Mount Evelyn when they last played back in round 3.
Much like Healesville women, the Under 18’s were also plagued with few injuries, sickness and some players senior duties.
As a result, they only managed to get together 17 players.
The first quarter was a real arm wrestle with both sides struggling to get on the scoreboard and the score at first break was Mount Evelyn 0.1.1 Healesville 0.0.0.
At the next quarter, the even battle continued with scoring proving hard for both sides.
The score at half time all tied up 1.2.8 to 1.2.8 and the game set up for a cracking last half.
Despite an awesome effort from Healesville lads, Mount Evelyn managed to slowly gain the ascendancy in the game to pull away and eventually come out on top with the final score Mount Evelyn 7.5.47 to Healesville 3.5.23.
An amazing effort from Healesville boys and what was most impressive was how some of the younger players stepped up when the team needed them to the most.
So much to like about this group and the club is really looking forward to seeing how they develop into senior players.
Best for Healesville R. Bode, L. Frazzetto, B. Collins, L. Senti, T. Brayden, J. Barclay.
Over to Healesville High School and the Healesville B Grade netballers took on second place in the competition, Mount Evelyn.
Another tough day on court for Healesville with Mount Evelyn girls taking control of the game from the start.
The B grade ladies set themselves a task in back half of the season to improve on the results of each game from the first half of the season and to their absolute credit, they managed to achieve this with the result this time around being Mount Evelyn 97 to Healesville 13 compared to round 3 which was 101-3.
Best for Healesville E. Gommers, A. McMaster, S. Maile.
Following on from this, Healesville A graders took on top of the ladder Mount Evelyn.
At the first quarter, it was evident why Mount Evelyn are top of the A grade competition controlling most of the play to lead 24-10 at first break.
Second term played out in much the same way and the score at main break, Mount Evelyn 46 Healesville 24.
At the third quarter, despite Healesville girls’ best efforts, Mount Evelyn extended their lead going into last term with a 69-30 lead.
Another great effort Healesville lineup yet again proved they well and truly belong at the premier level, but in the end, Mount Evelyn was way too strong taking the game 88-41.
Best for Healesville K. Ryan, A. Stanley.
Back up to the Don Road Complex, Healesville Reserves prepared to take on the second place on ladder, Mount Evelyn.
This was always going to be big undertaking for the Healesville boys, especially given that once again they were going to relying heavily on seven of the U18 players backing up for their game.
The first half saw Mount Evelyn well and truly took complete control of the game and placed enormous pressure of the Healesville midfield and defensive lines.
At the main break, it was Mount Evelyn 10.8.68 to Healesville 0.2.2.
At the third quarter, the ever-resilient Healesville managed to rally and through some great defensive work finally got some connection happening and managed to restrict Mount Evelyn to just 1.4 while finally getting their first major on the board.
At the last quarter, with the efforts of the Healesville boys starting to show in some tiring players, Mount Evelyn ran away with the game to win comprehensively 16.7.113 to 1.3.9.
Best for Healesville D.Ebbels, D.Plozza, A. Crossman, M.Donegan, D.English, B.Sheldrick.
To the last game of the day and Healesville Senior Men looked to consolidate their position in the top 5 whilst Mount Evelyn, sitting just outside the top 5 in sixth, would be desperate for a win to keep their finals hopes within reach.
The expectation leading in to this game was that it was going to be a hard physically contest, and from first bounce, it was evident that was certainly going to be the case.
Healesville got the first major of the game just two minutes in but then Mount Evelyn turned up the pressure having the next six scoring shots and the score at first break was Mount Evelyn 3.4.22 Healesville 1.1.7.
At the second quarter and for the first half of the term, Healesville got the game slightly back on their terms with next three scoring shots but only converting one of these into a major score, before Mount Evelyn countered to this to kick the next two goals and increase their lead to 20 points at the major break.
At the third quarter, Healesville scored two goals in the first five minutes to get well and truly back in the game.
With Mount Evelyn only managing one major for the term and Healesville getting another late in quarter, Healesville had reduced the lead to just eight point going into the last term and setting up what looked like being a thrilling last quarter.
Unfortunately for Healesville, this wasn’t going to be the case and Mount Evelyn’s relentless pressure proved too much for the Healesville boys holding them scoreless whilst putting on 3.4 themselves to run out winners 9.11.65 to 5.5.35.
Best for Healesville C.Warren, L.Daly, N.Mende, S.Donkin, T.Van Driel, P.Murray.
Next week all teams up against Woori Yallock on their home turf.
