elcome to the Week 2 Finals Review.
Last weekend saw 2 of our teams (U18s and C Grade) looking to advance into Grand Finals whilst our Reserves side was fighting for its 2010 season. We travelled up to the Healesville Sports Complex which had been inundated with rainfall, something that continued to be the theme of the day.
We'll start with the football and our 18s took to the ground in the 2nd Semi Final, fielding by far its strongest outfit for 2010. With the return of a number of players from Eastern Ranges dutuies, as well as Senior duties, it would be fair to say the boys thought they were a strong chance to win. Healesville, who only missed top spot to us by half a percent, also had players returning. Given it was their home turf and the weather conditions were so difficult, it promised to be an epic battle and so it proved to be.
Healesville certainly got out of the blocks in the early part of the game, opening up a 3 goal to 1 break at Qtr time. They looked a bit quick for us and certainly were more intent in their tackling and their attack on the ball. During the 2nd Qtr, our boys showed why they the minor premiers, putting on a terrific display to go into the main break with a 2 goal lead, having kept Healesville scoreless for the Qtr. From here-on-in, it turned into an absolute battle of attrition with neither side giving an inch. With both sides basically levelling the third term, we held a 2 goal advantage and really needed to get some early scores on the board to put the game away. Healesville were outstanding in the last Qtr, full of run and continually pumping the ball inside 50. In my opinion, they should've taken the game away from us as they wasted several chances in front of goal, kicking 1 goal 6 to our 2 behinds. We managed to hang on and gain a Grand Final berth, winning 6.8.44 to 5.9.39 Our goals were spread amongst 6 players whilst Dec Fitzgerald, Mitchy Meadows and Cal Eade were named in the best. Well done to the boys though on making the 2010 Grand Final. To back up and make it to a Division 1 GF, having won the 2009 Division 2 GF is a terrific effort. The Grand Final is locked in for Sunday 19th September at Woori Yallock, our opponent is undecided. Plenty of work still to do boys but just being there is half the battle !
Following on from our 18s success, our Reserves took on a very strong Upwey/Tecoma side. The winner to progress through to the Preliminary Final, the loser to wonder what might have been. Having been so dissapointing in last weeks Qualifying Final, it was going to take an extraordinary turnabout in attitude to get the chocolates. They certainly looked to have shaken all that off by getting off to a terrific start. They were fearless in their attack on the ball and ran as hard as I've seen them run all year. Upwey appeared to be a little shocked at what we delivered and by halftime, we had opened up a 4 goal to 2 lead. Like all good sides do though, Upwey responded in the 3rd term with a wave of relentless attacks. Our backline held strong but the opposition had opened up some tiny cracks to get back within 4 points at orange time. With both sides seasons on the line, they absolutely threw everything at each other for 20 minutes. It was an incredible sight ! In the end, with 2 minutes to go, and both sides having scored a goal each, we were able to force a number of stoppages in our forward 50 to run down the clock and claim a 5 point victory. Finals Scores were 6.6.42 to 5.7.37 Well done to both sides. They both gave absolutely everything on the day. I know Upwey would be dissapointed to miss out, but they should be commended on their effort as it couldn't be faulted. As always, someone just has to win; and fortunately it was us ! For our boys, Kirky "Turbo" Irvin kicked 2 goals as did Brady Schubert. Russ Sloan and Stevey Gannell in the midfield worked incredibly hard, and Lloyd Tanzen was absolutely impenetrable in the last line of defence. Our boys now move onto this Sundays Preliminary Final, where they will meet their Qualifying Final nemesis Waburton/Millgrove. With an attitude like they displayed on the weekend, I have no doubt that we will see our Reserves join our U18s at Woori Yallock on Grand Final day. Great job boys, awesome to watch.
Across to the Netball action, and our C Grade girls took on the league leaders Upwey/Tecoma for a place in this years Grand Final. As with the footballers, the weather was causing all sorts of problems for the netballers, with wet and very windy conditions making the skills of the game extremely difficult. Its fair to say that our girls have surprised everyone this year (except themselves) as to how well they've gone in their 1st year of competition. Knocking off Wandin in last weeks Qualifying Final gave them great confidence as they headed into this match against the only side they haven't beaten this year. The game started off pretty evenly poised with both sides struggling to maintain possesion. There were turnovers a-plenty from both sides as the rain continued to drive down onto the players. The Upwey players seemed a little more insync with each other though, and at Qtr time, we were right in the game but down on the scoreboard ever so slightly, 6-7. The trend continued in the 2nd term with both sides again failing to capitalise on their ball use. The Umpires for this week were certainly much more keen to use the whistle and as a consequence, the game really lacked the flow of the previous week. Our defence was working overtime, our mid court was really trying hard to get on top and our goalers were pushing hard to get good position and shoot well. At halftime, the Upwey lead had been extended slightly and our girls had it all in front of them. With some positional moves made, the emphasis was for the girls to push the ball more through the corridor, keeping away from the sidelines. We continued to push hard through the third term but we began to generate a few more mistakes than Upwey, and they began to open up a handy lead. Early into the last term, the lead was as much as 8 goals. There was a 3-4 minute period during the middle part of the Qtr where we held them scoreless whilst picking up 3-4 unanswered goals, but in the end, we had just made too many errors and Upwey finished with a 6 goal win and a passage straight into the Grand Final. Final scores OFC 16 - U/T 22. For our girls, it was a pretty even performance by everyone over the whole day. Special mentions to Alex Wall and Elle Rose who were rock solid in defence, and again to Elise Tanzen who continued to battle all day up front. Liz Daley won the coaches award back at the rooms on Saturday evening. The girls will now front up this Sunday against rivals Wandin in the Preliminary Final. The winner to progress through to the Grand Final at Woori Yallock against Upwey/Tecoma. I really think the girls have got 2 more good games left in them. They've shown they are capable of beating every team in the competition. There are still plenty of areas to work on, especially maintaining possesion of the ball, and our structure as we try to work the ball from defence to attack. Best of luck girls as you continue the chase for our 1st ever YVMDFL Netball Premiership, we're right behind you !
Keep an eye out for Bloodlines later in the week. We'll have the Preliminary Final details by then. We also have a number of players across the club who will challenge for League Best and Fairests this week.
Hopefully we'll be able to report of some successes their as well.
And just a final point before I go, Steve "Sid" Scott's quest to make our website the best in the league, struck some gold quite recently. He has now added all our EFL scores from 1965 when we entered the EFL, up until 1985 when we left to join the YV. We now have all our results from 1965 until 2010 which is quite incredible. You can find it in the left hand menu under the "matches history" link. Keep up the great work Steve, the website is fantastic and keeps us all up to date with everything old and new.
Hope you enjoyed the read. Don't forget Thursday night meals at the rooms with Derry and the boys in the aprons, and "Go The Mighty Blooders"