THE Yarra Ranges hosted Mornington Peninsula at Healesville Football Ground on Saturday for the 2016 WorkSafe Community Championships.
The sun was shining, the breeze was blowing and everybody was geared up to witness some high standards in football and netball.
The Yarra Ranges were coming off a disappointing performance in 2015 and were looking at making amends.
Coming up against an unknown quantity in Mornington Peninsula Nepean was always going to make it an interesting contest.
Coaches Danny Ryan and Simon Blackney had their boys prepared while Sarah Hogan and Rachael Hickey were looking at showing just how strong the Yarra Ranges Netball competition is and they did not disappoint.
FOOTBALL
SENIOR
Yarra Ranges 13.8(86) d Mornington Peninsula Nepean FL(2) 12.4(76)
Yarra Ranges started the day off with a blast, kicking with a slight breeze to the dog track end of the ground.
Rodney Woodford (Healesville) kicked 3 in the first and it looked like it might be all one way traffic.
Mornington fought back late in the quarter, kicking three themselves and it was all square at quarter time.
The challenge was on.
Jordy Williams (Woori Yallock) and Justin Myers (Wandin) were the driving force through the centre, while Damon Kift (Mount Evelyn) was working hard across the backline.
It was goal for goal in the second and Yarra went into the major break with a 1-point lead.
Words from the coach at half-time was to be smart.
Play tempo footy, know when to slow the ball down and hold onto it.
Look for our opportunities.
That is just what they did in the third, taking advantage of the breeze and held Mornington goalless while kicking 3.
Ben Monkhorst (Woori Yallock), Robbie Hartfield (Mount Evelyn) and Marcus Hottes (Olinda) started to make their presence felt.
Mornington made a run in the last, kicking 5 goals to 3, but just could not get around the defence of Bart Wallace (Alexandra) and James Marasco (Yea).
Matt Polkinghorne (Wandin) played a captain’s role and lead by example all day.
Yarra Ranges Best: Justin Myers (Wandin; AFL Vic Best on Ground Medallist), Jordan Williams (Woori Yallock), Damon Kift (Mount Evelyn), Marcus Hottes (Olinda Ferny Creek), Nicholas Mende (Healesville), Matthew Polkinghorne (Wandin).
Mornington Peninsula Best: Ryan Marks-Logan (Frankston Bombers; AFL Vic Best on Ground Medallist), Ethan Rahilly (Tyabb), Adrian Speedy (Somerville) Jonah Siverson (Red Hill), Rowan Hogenbirk (Somerville), Blake Harkness (Langwarrin).
UNDER 19s
Mornington Peninsula Nepean FL(2) 16.20(116) d Yarra Ranges 7.11(53)
Mornington Peninsula Nepean dominated this game from the first bounce, kicking 5.7 to nil in the first.
Yarra Ranges fought hard all day, but it was never going to be easy to claw back the lead that Mornington had.
Mornington played a well-drilled possession game of football and Yarra were always chasing.
Nelson Aldridge (Healesville) was a strong option up forward but the boys just could not break through the defences of Mornington to get the ball to him.
Riley Aldous (Yea), Austin Smith (Yarra Glen) and Travis Gromer (Monbulk) ran all day.
The lead at halftime was 30 points.
Yarra came out and regrouped in the second half and kicked 5 goals, but Mornington maintained the pressure and kicked 10 goals themselves.
Mornington Peninsula Best: Tanner Bishop (Rosebud; AFL Vic Best on Ground Medallist), Tom Stoffles (Rosebud), Sean Downie (Rosebud), Chad Harris (Sorrento), Tom Roberts (Somerville), Hamish McShane (Red Hill).
Yarra Ranges Best: Drew Benson (Woori Yallock; AFL Vic Best on Ground Medallist), Nelson Aldridge (Healesville), Riley Aldous (Yea), Travis Gromer (Monbulk), Matthew Brierley (Mount Evelyn), Austin Smith (Yarra Glen).
NETBALL
OPEN
Yarra Ranges 63 d Mornington Peninsula 36
Yarra Ranges went into this year’s interleague defending their reputation as one of the premier netball competitions in the state.
They certainly did no damage to it beating Mornington Peninsula by 30 goals.
The game started at a frenetic pace with Yarra Ranges shooting 14 goals to 11.
Ash Howard (Olinda) started off with a 9 goal first quarter.
Krista Tomlinson was as always a force to be reckoned with in the centre, while the trio of Kaitlyn Black (Mount Evelyn), Ty Coppinger (Wandin) and Tamara Luke (Olinda) were a real mountain to try and shoot over.
Another 17 goals in the second to 8 saw a lead of 12 goals at halftime.
The final straw was the 18-goal third quarter that really put the result to rest.
Yarra Ranges Best: Krista Tomlinson (Olinda Ferny Creek; AFL Vic Best on Court Medallist), Ash Howard (Olinda Ferny Creek – 30 goals), Kaitlyn Black (Mount Evelyn).
Mornington Peninsula Best: Sarah Duncan (Rye; AFL Vic Best on Court Medallist), Alana McDonald (Devon Meadows), Dionne Douglas (Crib Point).
UNDER17s
Yarra Ranges 49 d Mornington Peninsula 24
The girls came out full of running. They got the jump from the outset with Emerson Woods (Warburton Millgrove) and Holly McInerney (Wandin) setting the scene under the ring. Ciara Lumsden (Wandin) was a goer all day.
A seven-goal lead at the first break set up the match.
Holly McInerney was amazing under the ring, shooting nine and 10 goals in the second and third quarters, while the defence stood tall led by Emelie Ainslie-Aitkens (Wandin), Alanna Lennie (Wandin) and Stephanie Durant (Warburton Millgrove).
The final quarter was the biggest scoring quarter, with Yarra shooting 16 to Mornington 5. A well-deserved win to the girls.
Yarra Ranges Best: Ciara Lumsden (Wandin; AFL Vic Best on Court Medallist), Holly McInerney (Wandin – 34 goals), Charlotte Sparkes (Wandin).
Mornington Peninsula Best: Isabella Shannon (Red Hill; AFL Vic Best on Court Medallist), Eliza McGuigan (Rye), Shannon Young (Rosebud).
