GREAT GRAB: WarburtonMillgrove’s Luke Meiszies comes over the top of Belgrave Magpies opponent Peter Romanis in this pack mark during the first quarteBy BEN O’BRIEN,
THE Compass Group First Division ladder has taken on a slightly more streamlined look after round 14’s matches, with the two top sides, Monbulk and Healesville, dealing with sides below them on the ladder with ruthless efficiency.
The Hawks had 13 individual goalkickers in the 119point demolition of Mt Evelyn, and continued to build on their already healthy percentage. Dunstan and Chris Hughson were best for Monbulk, while veteran Alan Ezard was Mt Evelyn’s best, in a match where the gap between opposite ends of the ladder was starkly illustrated.
Healesville took on Wandin on Sunday, in a clash between second and fifth. Healesville got away to a flyer, kicking seven goals to one in the first quarter, and the match was as good as over. The Dogs could only manage four goals for the entire day, while Healesville’s Simon Gordon managed 10 off his own boot; final scores Healesville 18.9 to Wandin 4.12.
An interesting battle is starting to develop over third spot, and the double chance, with Upwey losing their third game on the trot, this time to Woori Yallock. Their situation was not helped by playing an extra man and having their score returned to zero but, if truth be told, Woori would have won this game regardless they went on to win by an even 7 goals.
That loss sees Upwey now level on points with preseason favourites Silvan, who have worked their way through a slump similar to that now being experienced by Upwey.
The Cats are starting to get players back from injury, and are starting to run into some form at the right end of the season. They knocked over GembrookCockatoo by 79 points, with Moorcroft, Goodlet and Loughton being solid contributors, but they take on Healesville this week, at home, which should provide a true indication of whether they can threaten the inevitability of a Monbulk/Healesville grand final.
At the other end of the ladder, Belgrave defeated fellow cellardweller WarburtonMillgrove by 77 points, to leave the Burras anchoring the division. With Woori Yallock winning, the battle for the spoon is now down to three, and this week’s Mt Evelyn/Belgrave clash should cut that field to two.
In the Commodore Press Second Division, the margins were all comfortable, although some were more comfortable than others. South Belgrave beat Emerald by 123 points, with Conder and Apps leading the way and Olinda beat Yarra Glen by 81 points, which could have been a greater margin if not for a 2.10 last quarter scoreline. A shootout was played at Powelltown on Sunday, between the home side and Yarra Junction, with the Demons getting home 22.13 to 16.12 Brett Mitchell kicked seven goals and James Iacono was best on ground, while Leigh Newstead’s nine goals in a losing side was no mean feat.
Veterans
WITH two YVMDFL games being played on Sunday, the league decided to lighten its load by also playing the grand final of the Sticks Yarra Valley veterans’ competition on the same day.
Kilsyth took on North Croydon in front of a sizeable crowd at Brushy Park, and when the dust had settled, it was Kilsyth who emerged victorious, 10.8.68 to 4.6.30. The Bombers went through the season undefeated, and went into the match as favourites. Kilsyth’s Sean Wallwork received bestonground honours.
And a final word on the Yarra Valley Cougars, whose defeat of Melbourne University on the weekend sees them playing VWFL finals in their first season, a remarkable achievement for a side that lost its first four games by a combined total of 352 points.
Netball
THE Sticks Yarra Valley netball competition saw Gembrook notch their second win of the season over Silvan, 19 to 14, while UpweyTecoma defeated Woori Yallock 23 to 15, with Kate Rhook’s 18 goals sending her into the lead on the goalshooters’ table.
For all YVMDFL news, log on to www.yvmdfl.com.au
Photographs by Luke Plummer
OVERSTRETCHED:
WarburtonMillgrove’s Ben Farrugia takes front position from Belgrave’s Matthew Hall in this marking contest during the first quarter.
