Senior Women
Olinda Women’s team pencilled in Saturday’s match against Pakenham away as a “must win” game, but Pakenham didn’t receive the memo, overrunning the visitors in the last quarter to win by 17 points.
There was a 3 goal wind blowing towards the southern end.
After winning the toss, Olinda opted to kick with the breeze in the first quarter.
The team started slowly, struggling to judge the length of Pakenham’s kicks as Pakenham continued to mark uncontested.
The spark was lit when young gun Tobi(Killer) Monkhorst toe poked the ball through from the goal square, then goaled again in similar fashion 5 minutes later.
Olinda went into the first break with a 9 point lead.
The game was probably lost in the second quarter when Olinda failed to score against the breeze and Pakenham piled on 4.1. Pakenham continued to lead Olinda to the ball, whether in the air or on the ground, and continually gained first use of the football.
Kicking with the breeze in the third quarter, Olinda played some of it’s best footy for many weeks.
The pressure and tackling ramped up and Olinda’s ball movement was slick. Another Young Blood Ruby (Barb) Gilson chimed in with 2 goals, the first a classy snap from the forward pocket.
Chelsea (Big Kahuna) Wilson had been out for many weeks with an injury, and came back looking ominous at centre half forward. Chelsea looked dangerous all game roaming the half forward line, and kicked a running goal herself in the third.
Olinda didn’t have an answer for Pakenham’s rampaging full forward Chelsea English who finished the game with 6 of Pakenham’s 7 goals, and was eventually the difference between the 2 sides.
Overall it was another frustrating finish against a side Olinda defeated 3 times last season, and leaves Olinda’s finals placing in a tenuous position. Olinda will be fighting hard against reigning Premier Upwey next Saturday night to balance the ledger.
Juniors
U9s v Gembrook
It was back home for the mighty 9’s as they hosted a talented Gembrook side.
The message this week was simple…..first to the footy, pressure the opposition and enjoy the experience.
The young bloods did this and more, creating opportunities to score and defending tirelessly in the slippery conditions.
U’9s football can be a wonderful spectacle, this week was one of those, with both teams entertaining the crowd having a blast in doing so.
U11 v Wesburn
It was a classic winters day with gusty winds and the odd shower as Olinda’s U11s headed up the highway for our clash with the dangerous Wesburn.
With gale force winds favouring the bottom end of the oval, it was a master stroke by the captain to kick with the wind in the first quarter. This proved a pivotal move as Olinda booted 3 goals to none in the first term.
The second quarter was a superb defensive effort, stopping Wesburn from scoring with the wind, and some kicks out of defence almost blowing backwards.
The second half was similar, with both teams adding a single goal when kicking with the wind.
With 8 players unavailable, it was great to see the depth of the team on full display, and a solid win against good opposition.
Final score
Olinda 4.0.24 def Wesburn 1.0.6
U12 Girls v Wesburn
With sideways wind and the slope of Wesburn oval, Olinda had some variables to contend with.
Kicking with the wind was the key to this game and Wesburn really capitalised on this the first quarter.
Olinda had a bit to do to make it up and as much as they tried, they were unable to get the win, missing out by a couple of goals.
It was a great effort by the team with the extra conditions, and a stellar performance by all with a bit of fun and laughter thrown in.
U13 Boys (Whites)
Tough day out on Sunday in windy and freezing cold conditions.
Olinda were not far off the mark, rushed kicking that would be kicked to the opposition let us down.
They had their opportunities but the Brookers showed more depth and willingness.
The boys played hard with their head over the footy, however missing a few key players made it hard.
Fletcher kicked the one goal in the last quarter, from a great tackle and we celebrated like we won a grand final.
All in all fought hard all game and did not give up.
U13 Boys (Reds)
A great game of Under 13 football between two very good teams in Mt Evelyn and Olinda.
The Rovers got off to an excellent start playing some strong, attacking football to take a 25 point lead into the half time break.
The Olinda lads hadn’t been in this position all year, so it was super pleasing to see the boys respond so well in the third quarter kicking 4 goals to 1.
Blake Wood was instrumental across half back and Travis Vernon was rock solid at full back.
Louie Barry was creating great contests up forward and Liam Eisenegger was finishing well in front of goal.
The Olinda comeback continued in the last quarter thanks to work of Ned Monkhorst, however the boys came up short by 8 points in what was a great game of junior footy.
Final Scores Mt Evelyn 6.2.38 def Olinda 5.0.30
U14 Girls v Mt Evelyn Whites
Olinda turned up to Mt Evelyn on a sunny winter’s day looking forward to a great challenge playing another development team.
The weather gods had different ideas and promptly dropped all manner of precipitation to test our young charges.
Credit to the mighty Bloods, they didn’t blink, and both sides challenged each other with some great tough footy.
The girls are learning every week and are placing opposition teams under enormous pressure.
On Sunday, the proof was in the pudding as we were able to win the last quarter.
They had some great link up play, teamwork and skills in moving the ball forward.
Olinda didn’t get the win, but it was great also to see new players still coming to the team.
U15 boys v Wesburn
Round 10 saw Olinda head to a very cold and windy Wesburn.
Olinda won the toss and kicking with the wind scored 4.2 to Wesburns 1 point.
The 2nd quarter saw Wesburn fight back, but a 4 goal to nil 3rd term saw Olinda with an unassailable 3 quarter time lead.
With offensive weapon Aden Bates unwell on the bench for the 4th quarter Olinda was down to 17 players and while Wesburn kicked 3.3 to 1 point, a comfortable win was had by Olinda.
The one way wind meant that a combined 13 goals were scored at one end versus 1 goal at the other.
A special mention to James Dixon, who kicked his first goal in footy.
Final scores.
Olinda 9.6.60. d
Wesburn 5.5.35.
U17 Boys had a bye
