By Callum Ludwig
With football and netball clubs taking a break for Easter, here’s how clubs (Senior Men’s Football and A-Grade Netball for the Outer East competition) in the Hills have started their seasons:
In the Outer East Football Netball League, Olinda-Ferny Creek have made a good start in the Premier Division with two wins over Officer (77 points) and Monbulk (12 points). Luca Smith is third in the league goalkicking with 8 and Matthew Scahrenberg has been in the Bloods’ best two weeks running. The A-Grade netballers have won one and lost one, beating Officer by 4 before losing to Monbulk by 19. Jess McCall has been in the best players each week and Olinda Ferny-Creek take on Upwey-Tecoma in Anzac Day clash.
Monbulk are the next Hills side to feature, in fifth after beating Gembrook-Cockatoo by 38 and losing to Olinda-Ferny Creek by two goals. Josh Rak, Lachlan Sheppard and Lochlan Beecroft have been in the Hawks’ best both games. The A-Grade netballers are only off top spot on percentage, having beaten Gembrook-Cockatoo by 65 and Olinda-Ferny Creek by 19. Peri Reid and Paige Whitworth have both featured in the best in the first two rounds and Monbulk will host Wandin in their next game.
Upwey-Tecoma are just below in sixth, having lost to Healesville by 24 points and defeated Officer by 33. Spencer Richards-West has been among the Tigers’ best both weeks. The netballers are without a win having lost to Healesville by 15 and Officer by 10. No Tigers has featured in the best in multiple weeks and they will play Olinda-Ferny Creek on Anzac Day.
Gembrook-Cockatoo are without a win, having lost to Monbulk by 38 and Mt Evelyn by 28. Robin Nahas and Benjamin Schultze have been two of the Brookers’ standouts in both games. The netballers are also winless, sat last after a 65-point loss against Monbulk and a 70-point loss to Mt Evelyn. Bianca Nagel and Mary Miles have been shining lights in the tough start and the Brookers will travel to Emerald.
The aforementioned Emerald are in lowly last, overcome by Woori Yallock by 87 points and Healesville by 61. No Emerald player has been in the best more than once. The netballers have fared much better with two wins propelling them to third place, beating Woori Yallock by 12 and Healesville by 25, with Jackie Cutting key to both wins. They play Gembrook-Cockatoo after the break.
In Division Two, Belgrave are flying the flag for the Hills but are without a win, losing to Warburton-Millgrove by 46 and Yarra Glen by 10 and stuck second-last. Nathan Power and Christopher Westcott can’t be faulted for their efforts though, in the best both weeks. The netballers are in the same spot, having lost to Warburton-Millgrove by 44 points and Yarra Glen by 29. Annaliese Carroll has been among their best both weeks and the Magpies next host Seville in an Anzac Day clash.
Over in the Eastern Football Netball League, South Belgrave are leading all comers in Division One with two wins, over Park Orchards by 42 and Norwood by 91. No player has featured in their best more than once but Taylor Garner’s 13 goals is five clear at the top of the league goalkicking. South Belgrave next play Beaconsfield on Anzac Day.
Boronia’s Division One campaign is also off to a decent start, in fourth after a bye to start and a 6 point win over Bayswater to follow. Joshua Hannon, Luke Hannon, Mitch Mellis, Jordan Church, Daniel Houeix and Ben Robertson were the best players for the Hawks in that game and they play Montrose at home in Round Three.
In Division Three, Silvan’s 52-point win in a standalone season opener against Coldstream, 40-point win over Oakleigh District and 56-point loss to Knox is good enough for fourth place. Cameron Blease, Garrison Asciak and Matteo D’Alfonso have been in the Cats’ best players every week while Michael Fowkes’ 7 goals is the third best tally in the league. Silvan heads to The Basin for their next match.
Ferntree Gully are fifth after losing to Scoresby by 42 before beating Upper Ferntree Gully by 56. No Ferntree Gully players has featured in the best more than once but Elliot Triegaardt has an impressive 7 goals so far. Ferntree Gully play Knox at home next.
The Basin are seventh after going down to Donvale by 49 points and toppling Coldstream by 11. Bailey Syswerda and Jai Gripple have been in the Bears’ best both games and they will host Silvan in Round Three.
Upper Ferntree Gully are second last and winless, defeated by Knox by 20 points and Ferntree Gully by 56. Braidyn Wilson and Buster Todd have featured in their best players each week and they will head to Fairpark for their next match.
