Woori Yallock celebrates its grand final win. Picture: Lawrence Pinder
WOORI Yallock is the king of the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League after the September specialists achieved a third consecutive premiership on Saturday.
In a tense clash at Healesville, the Tigers, who trailed Wandin by a point at half time, fittingly took the ascendancy in the premiership quarter, kicking 5.3 to lead by 26 points at three-quarter-time.
The Dogs reduced the margin in the final term but a spirited Woori Yallock hung tough, maintained its intense pressure and drew on premiership experience to win by 14 points, 10.13 (73) to 9.5 (59).
The Tigers are the first team to win a treble since the powerhouse Upwey Tecoma line-up of 1989, 1990 and 1991.
And, it was a fairytale ending for popular veteran Danny Ryan who played and coached his last game in the decider.
Exhausted yet elated post match, Ryan said it would be a while before the feeling sunk in.
“It’s just a reward for everyone who does hard work at our club,” he said. “The players, the coaches, the volunteers, the 80-year-old lady who makes the sandwiches in the canteen.”
“The supporters were the first to come up and give a kiss and hug after the game. It’s what country footy is all about, the people, and I was rapt to see the smiles on all the faces more than anything.
“18 of our 22 players played juniors for the club, their families are involved and it was an amazing feeling to deliver it like we did.’’
Captain Brendan Sneddon was inspirational in a best-afield performance, key forward Ben Monkhorst set the tone for his afternoon when he booted the opening goal. He finished with four and ran opponent Ben Chapman ragged.
Jake Matthews made it three brilliant games from three grand finals, Joel Adams was busy for four quarters, Jordy Williams oozed class and Michael Batten was important.
Defender Mitch Bonuda went to Bulldogs star Michael Fowkes and kept him goalless, as he did in the second semi-final.
Ryan said his players played their roles and played for each other.
“We dropped a few guys for the 2012 and 2013 grand finals and I’m rapt the likes of Timmy Anderson and Ryley Monkhorst got the opportunity to play in a grand final and be premiership players,’’ he said.
“Batten came from a Division 2 club (Yarra Junction) and in two years has become as equally important as anyone else, he’s a two-time premiership player. It’s amazing.
“Jordy Williams is probably the best player in the comp. Half way through the year he came back to us from Frankston (VFL) and he was the difference in us turning our season around. His dad (Darren ‘’Daisy’’ Williams) played in back-to-back flags for Essendon and now young Jordy’s done the same.
“We can’t give Jake Matthews money, he won’t take it. He’s on the committee, he does all this stuff behind the scenes. We talk about what other teams would do to us and we say they’d tag Joel Adams because we’d tag him every day of the week. But nobody tags him. He’s played nearly 200 games for us and he’ll probably play 400.’’
Kire Talevski played a lone hand up forward finishing with five goals to be Wandin’s best.
SKIPPER IS THE BIGGEST HERO
WHILE there was some hefty recruiting around the YVMDFL this season, it was a player who took a significant pay cut that shone in the grand final spotlight.
Woori Yallock captain Brendan Sneddon volunteered to halve his match payment this season and, on Saturday, won the best-on-ground medal for a performance that featured three goals, two of which came during a match-winning third-quarter burst.
The financial gesture and best-on-ground display speak volumes for the man and the club he proudly represents according to coach Danny Ryan.
“He’s the best bloke I’ve ever met in my life and I’m proud he is a two-time premiership captain,’’ Ryan said. “For the captain to stand up like that, well that’s what being a leader is all about. He doesn’t talk a lot but when he does people listen and he works harder than anyone else, he wears his opponents into the ground.’’
Last Modified on 13/07/2015 11:31