Brushing up for finals

Tom Hinds (Wandin) steals a mark from Stuart Horner (Olinda Ferny Creek). Pictures: GREG CARRICK 143427_01

By JUDY ORREN

Division 1 seniors
Warburton Millgrove 18.11 (119) d Belgrave 9.12 (66)
Warburton has finished the season well with a big 53-point win over Belgrave. This clash started quite even with Warby leading by just two points at the first change, but Belgrave did waste their chances as they did have three more scoring shots but trailed on the scoreboard. The second quarter was where Warby really set their win up as they played direct no-nonsense football and scored 7 goals to 2 to race to a 32-point lead at the main break. The second half saw Warburton extend their lead as the game progressed, they booted 4 goals to 1 in the third and their lead had blown out to 52 points. The last term was an even one, with both sides booting four goals but this day certainly belonged to Warburton.
Warburton Millgrove best players: J. Iacono, S. Andrueza, B. Murphy
Belgrave best players: B. Andric, E. Clasby (3 goals), P. Van Lambaart
Healesville 10.16 (76) d Woori Yallock 5.4 (34)
Healesville has booked a double chance as they knocked of Woori Yallock by 38 points which means they will play Monbulk in their first final next week while Woori will now play in next week’s Elimination Final against Olinda. Healesville only booted five goals in the first half of this match but their defence was superb as they held Woori to just one major and kept them scoreless in the second term. The second half was an arm wrestle as goals were hard to come by, with both sides booting three goals in the third, but Healesville was well in control as they went to the final change with a 32-point advantage. The last quarter saw Healesville control the game and not give Woori any real avenues to mount a challenge. They booted 2 goal to 1 to finish the day with a good victory, and will go into next week’s final with plenty of self-belief.
Healesville best players: D. Anderson, D. Plozza, J. Nugent
Woori Yallock best players: M. Lowe, H. Smith (1 goal), J. Coombs
Monbulk 22.13 (145) d Mount Evelyn 14.17 (101)
This was a high scoring game and even though Mount Evelyn scored over 100 points and didn’t play bad, it was Monbulk that was just classier over the four quarters that gave them their 44-point victory. Monbulk started well, booting 7 goals to 3 in the first term to take a handy four-goal lead into quarter time. The next two quarters were of high class play and the game went goal for goal for the majority of that time, by the last break Monbulk had stretched their lead but only out to 29 points which kept Mount Evelyn in the game somewhat.
Monbulk did finish the day off pretty well as they booted 6 last quarter goals to 3 to win well and will now take on Healesville in their first final next week while Mount Evelyn can look forward to pre-season and hopefully set themselves up for a successful 2016.
Monbulk best players: M. Langworthy (5 goals), K. Gray, S. Williams (1 goal)
Mount Evelyn best players: B. Cronkshaw (3 goals), S. Tesoriero, M. Martin (3 goals)
Upwey Tecoma 20.23 (143) d Yarra Glen 11.13 (79)
Both sides were playing for pride as neither will take part in finals. Upwey started the cleaner, booting 6 goals to 2 to lead by 23 points at the first change. The second term was a real battle as both defences got on top and there was no easy avenues to goal which only produced one goal apiece in this term. The third term did see the game open up as both teams started to spread, Upwey booted 5 goals to Yarra Glens 4 to lead by 33 points at the final change. Upwey really did get on top in the last as Yarra Glen looked to tire. They booted 8 goals to 4 to run away with the game and win by a very convincing 64 points.
Upwey Tecoma best players: T. Robinson (3 goals), D. Waters (9 goals), K. Grenda (1 goal)
Yarra Glen best players: D. Hurley (2 goals), J. Baughan (1 goal), C. Tait
Wandin 22.17 (149) d Olinda Ferny Creek 14.8 (92)
Wandin has finished the home and away season on top of the ladder and undefeated after a 57-point win over Olinda. The first half of this game was a beauty. Wandin led by 14 points at the first change, but Olinda played great footy in the second term, scoring 6 goals to 3 and took a one-point lead into half-time. Wandin certainly showed why they are red hot favourites for the flag in the second half as they came out in the third term and attacked relentlessly. They booted 6.6 to Olinda’s 1.1 and all of a sudden Wandin was out to a 34-point lead at the final change. Wandin finished the day off brilliantly as they booted 8 majors to 4 and will now have a week off, courtesy of finishing on top, while Olinda will take on Woori Yallock in an elimination final next week in what should be a great game.
Wandin best players: M. Polkinghorne, R. Ross, M. Fowkes (4 goals)
Olinda Ferny Creek best players: K. Currie, D. Noorda, D. Wilson (1 goal)
Division 2 seniors
Kinglake 14.7 (91) d Thornton Eildon 9.13 (67) (Qualifying Final)
For a final, this game started off a little uninspiring as there were only two majors scored in the first quarter which went the way of Kinglake, while Thornton could only scrounge two behinds. The second term was a lot more exciting as the goals started to come. Kinglake looked the slicker side and it showed on the scoreboard as they booted 5 goals to 3 to lead by 23 points at the long break. The second half was a really good battle and Thornton certainly had their chances to get a lot closer than they did but they booted a very inaccurate 6.9 to Kinglake’s 7.4 to fall 24 points short, come final siren. In the end, Kinglake was just more polished and will now take on Emerald next week, with the winner of that clash heading through to the Grand Final, while Thornton will get another chance as they battle Seville in a do-or-die final.
Kinglake best players: L. Arthurson (1 goal), T. Arnott, A. McLaren
Thornton Eildon best players: B. Haden (2 goals), J. Herridge (1 goal), R. Chapman (1 goal)
Seville 17.9 (111) d Powelltown 13.10 (88) (elimination final)
Seville lives to fight another day as they got over the line by 23 points, putting an end to Powelltown’s finals dreams. Seville was terrific in the first half as they denied Powelltown any real control with the ball. They scored 10 goals to 3 to take a handy 45-point lead into half-time. Powelltown had to rally if they were to stay in touch and that’s exactly what they did in the third. They took the game on and it paid dividends as they slammed on 7 goals to 1 to storm back into the contest and found themselves just seven points down at the final change. In the last quarter, Seville showed a real maturity as they didn’t panic as they held possession of the ball and slowly gained control back. They finished in fine form, booting 6 goals to 3 to record a good victory, and will now take on Thornton-Eildon next week in another cut throat final.
Seville best players: B. Penwill, M. Goff (2 goals), N. O’Keefe (1 goal)
Powelltown best players: B. Walker, M. Lord (1 goal), G. Sheppard (4 goals)
Division 2 reserves
Yarra Junction 7.12 (54) d Alexandra 7.9 (51) (qualifying final)
Yarra Junction led at every change of this clash, but they certainly never had a stranglehold on the final result at any time throughout the four quarters. Junction led by just one goal at quarter time, by five points at half-time and by just eight points at the final change. With this game being such a low scoring affair, goals looked like they were going to be hard to come by in the final term and to a degree they were. Alexandra did all they could to snatch the lead, and they did outscore Junction 3 goals to 2, but it wasn’t to be enough as Yarra Junction was able to hold on to win by less than a kick. Yarra Junction will now take on Emerald next week for a spot in the Grand Final while Alex will get another chance as they play Gembrook Cockatoo.
Yarra Junction best players: M. Croaker (2 goals), J. Blackler (1 goal), J. Holden (1 goal)
Alexandra best players: B. McDonald (1 goal), C. Jack, M. Coombs (1 goal)
Gembrook Cockatoo 11.8 (74) d Kinglake 5.12 (42) (elimination final)
Thanks to a great second half from Gembrook, they keep their finals dream alive while ending Kinglake’s. The first half of this game was a torrid tight affair, with Kinglake clinging on to a four-point lead at the main break.
The third quarter was where Gembrook set up their victory. Their defensive work was outstanding as they held Alex to just one behind while they booted four goals to go to the last change with a 22-point lead. The last quarter only saw two goals registered, but they both went the way of Gembrook as Kinglake was held goalless yet again ensuring a great 32-point victory to Gembrook who will now get to take on Alexandra next week in another last chance final.
Gembrook Cockatoo best players: R. Hicks, D. Wilkie, A. Cramer
Kinglake best players: A. Butterwoth, K. Smith, A. Bott
Under 18s
Belgrave12.13 (85) d Powelltown 7.7(49)
Belgrave best players: N. Rowe (2 goals), J. Bartils, J. Lowe (1 goal)
Powelltown best players: T. Robinson, C. Sutherland, D. McGaffin
Healesville 16.14 (110) d Emerald 6.5 (41)
Healesville best players: L. Oliver (1 goal), J. Clark, J. Edmonds (4 goals)
Emerald best players: K. Asling, C. Johnston, N. Triandafillou
Mount Evelyn 12.12 (84) d Yea 6.13 (49)
Mount Evelyn best players: D. Giblin, C. Ballard, J. Fraser (3 goals)
Yea best players: T. McMahon (1 goal), L. White, C. Jenkins
Upwey Tecoma 15.15 (105) d Olinda Ferny Creek 12.8 (80)
Upwey Tecoma best players: M. Kirby (5 goals), A. Milner, B. Oates (3 goals)
Olinda Ferny Creek best players: L. Seal (1 goal), J. Kennedy, J. Swanson
Wandin 11.15 (81) d Monbulk 4.6 (30)
Wandin best players: L. Jones, P. Hodgett (3 goals), H. Byrne (2 goals)
Monbulk best players: D. Chapman, C. Spooner, T. Gromer (2 goals)
Yarra Glen: Bye
Warburton Millgrove: Bye
Woori Yallock: Bye
Division 1 A Grade netball
Warburton Millgrove 55 d Belgrave 43
Warburton Millgrove best players: Bianca Daniels (39 goals), Bridget Nix, Kellie Davidson
Belgrave best players: Angela Jeffrey, Kalen Winters, Lauren Read
Healesville 51 d Woori Yallock 25
Healesville best players: Georgia Murty, Kimberley McKenzie, Lisa Baker (46 goals)
Woori Yallock best players: Kimberley Williams, Ashley Shanks, Sophie Young
Mount Evelyn 47 d Monbulk Hawks 38
Mt Evelyns best players: Rachael Hickey (28 goals), Victoria Starling, Allana Osborne
Monbulks best players: Lisa Boyle, Katrina Wragg, Paige Whitowrth
Olinda Ferny Creek 41 d Wandin 30
Olinda Ferny Creek best players: Gretta Hankinson, Krista Tomlinson, Tess Linkins (29 goals)
Wandin best players: Tayissa Coppinger, Ella Priestley, Samantha Coppinger
Yarra Glen: Bye
Division 2 A Grade netball
Yea 66 d Emerald 28 (qualifying final)
Yarra Junction 48 d Powelltown 32 (elimination final)
Division 2 B Grade netball
Yea 29 d Seville 26 (qualifying final)
Alexandra 28 d Powelltown 23 (elimination final)
Sticks Division 2 C Grade netball
Yea 31 d Alexandra 23 (qualifying final)
Emerald 29 d Powelltown 28 (elimination final)
Division 2 D Grade netball
Emerald 25 d Yea 14 (qualifying final)
Powelltown 25 d Alexandra 17 (elimination final)