With the Senior Women heading off to Olinda for their elimination final against Olinda, the first game of the day was Healesville U18’s taking on Olinda.
After a big loss to the Bloods’ counterparts last time they met, the Healesville boys were looking for redemption and to cement their spot in the top 5.
Right from the first bounce, the Healesville line up took control of the game outscoring the visitors 4.2.26 to 1.1.7 in the first term.
This trend continued on for the remainder of the game with Healesville boys playing good well-structured football.
Healesville going on to win comfortably 11.9.75 to Olinda 4.5.29.
Best for Healesville: Gabriel Houlihan, C. Hammond, J. Barclay, C. Bradford, J. Collins, L. Senti.
Over to the netball at the Healesville High School, the first up was Healesville B Grade ladies.
Another great effort from Healesville B Grade lineup this week.
Although Olinda were way too strong, Healesville girls did reach their goal of improving on the score from last time these teams met.
In the end, the score was Olinda 82 Healesville 14.
Best for Healesville S. Maile, Z. Vandenbroeck, E. Gommers.
Next up on court was Healesville A graders looking to get their fifth win for the season and show that they can be competitive in premier division.
Last time these teams met, it was Olinda won by nine goals so this game so Healesville lineup was confident they could turn the tables this time around.
First few minutes of the game was goal for goal before Healesville managed to put on three unanswered goals to sneak in front before Olinda came back to lead 17-14 at the first break. Second quarter saw Healesville stuck with the visitors and at half time, it was Olinda 32 Healesville 30.
In the second half, Healesville again continued to take the game right up to Olinda but in the end, Olinda got over the line 63 to 56.
Best for Healesville: B. Erickson, A. Stanley, K. Farrow.
Back to Don Road Complex, with a few senior players back, Healesville Reserves team was looking stronger than it has been since early in the season.
In the first half, despite a great effort from Healesville boys, Olinda had the majority of the ball to take a 8.2.50 to 2.3.15 lead at the main break.
The third quarter saw the local boys really got going putting on 3.3 whilst holding the visitors to just one behind and reducing the deficit to just 15 points.
In the end though, Olinda was too strong ultimately taking the game 11.7.73 to Healesville 6.7.43.
Best for Healesville: D. English, D. Ebbels, R. Sanders, L. English, Gideon Houlihan, L. Warner.
Next up was Healesville Seniors looking to turn around the disappointing result from last time these teams met.
In the first quarter, the quality of football was looking good from both sides, but Olinda got the early jump with first two goals before Healesville answered with the next three.
It was then Olinda putting on three before Healesville with the next two and the score at first break Olinda 5.1.31 to Healesville 5.0.30.
During the next quarter, despite Healesville getting the first goal, the visitors had the best of the term putting on four majors and holding Healesville goalless.
At half time, the score was Olinda 9.4.58 to Healesville 6.3.39.
In the third quarter, the home side dug deep and completely controlled the play for most of the term putting on five unanswered goals before Olinda finally got their only major for the term in the dying minutes of the quarter, Healesville 11.5.71 to Olinda 10.6.66 going into the last.
The last quarter was hard fought but it was Healesville who finally got the first goal 12 minutes in and Olinda answered quickly.
With the quarter well and truly into time on, it was Healesville with a seven-point lead.
When Olinda scored a major inside the last couple minutes, tensions rose but, in the end Healesville hung on by the narrowest of margins to take the win, Healesville 12.8.80 Olinda 12.7.79. Best for Healesville: L. Daly, E. Bourke, B. Rutley, C. Warren, M. Donegan,H.Munn.
Onto to the big game of the day and it was Healesville Senior Women taking on Olinda at Olinda in an elimination final to keep their season alive.
After beating Olinda the previous week in the last home and away game, Healesville girls went into this confident.
This showed in the first quarter with Healesville girls controlling the game to lead at first break 2.3.15 to Olinda 0.2.2.
The second term saw Healesville girls came out firing putting on three straight goals in the first half of the quarter before Olinda got a goal just before half time.
At the main break, it was Healesville in the box seat 5.3.33 to Olinda 1.3.9.
In the third term, with Olinda having five scoring shots to Healesville’s two, it was still the Healesville’s quarter putting on 1.1 to Olinda’s five behinds.
During the last term, despite Healesville only managing two behinds to Olinda’s 1.1, it was the visitor’s way to book themselves a spot in next week’s preliminary final against Upwey at Yarra Junction.
Final score: Healesville 6.6.42 Olinda 2.9.21.
Best for Healesville: A. Caldicott, M. Potter, P. Pavic, I. Stock, A. Dahlsen, A. Frazzetto.
Next week netballers and male footballers off to Officer and Senior Women, as mentioned, taking on Upwey at Yarra Junction for a spot in the Grand Final.
Go Bloods.
