By Frank Seal
Week two of the 2022 AFLOE finals series saw the Olinda Seniors facing a tough opponent in Woori Yallock with a chance to earn a spot in next week’s preliminary final. After a hard-fought one-point win over Monbulk last week, the Bloods were focused on the improvements required to keep their season alive and had prepared confidently throughout the week. On a dry, overcast day at Chandler Reserve in Emerald, Olinda was aiming for an upset win over the Tigers.
It was Woori, however, who did the damage early. Both teams gave themselves early chances and each looked to be on song, but the Tigers hit the scoreboard with the first major and started extending their lead in the latter half of the quarter. The Woori midfield was on top at centre stoppages, using the quarter-back handball in the contest and spreading on the outside. The Olinda backs were competing and bringing the ball to the ground on numerous occasions but became overwhelmed by the Tiger’s territory dominance. Woori took a 35-point lead into quarter time.
The Bloods had to respond and do so quickly, the defensive pressure needed to lift, and the ball use needed to be cleaner. As if on cue, Percy Hyett — continuing his red-hot form — put his head over the ball, earned a free-kick, hit up Noah Desta with a pin-point pass, and set up the Bloods’ first goal in an inspiring passage of play. From here, the Bloods were able to even up the general play and start creating their own chances. Again, Noah Desta presented and took a forward-50 mark on the lead, before launching another set shot through the big sticks and giving the Bloods some confidence. Woori, however, successfully stemmed the flow and dominated the play, again taking control late in the quarter. Although the Bloods trailed 76-18 at the main break, the half-time message was “play with flair” and use run and dash to steady the ship.
The third quarter saw the Bloods work their way into the match and dominate play in patches with fast, pressure-free footy. Star defender Matt Scharenberg was moved forward and had an immediate impact, providing quality aerial presence, and hitting the scoreboard. Captain Kelsey Currie was tough in the trenches and pivotal in defence, winning countless hardballs and rebounding off defensive 50. Callum Beattie was crucial on the last line, filling the shoes of the absent Dale Rohrmann with some fine spoils and intercept marks. Percy Hyett was brilliant up the ground, winning the footy and exploding out of contests with strength and pace. Inside 50, Lachy Taylor was getting his hands on the ball, consistently providing a contest against multiple defenders, and clunking some big marks. With four goals for the quarter, the margin was trimmed to 42 points at three-quarter time; seemingly out of reach, but within the realms of possibility for the Bloods.
It was all or nothing in the final term and the Bloods threw the kitchen sink at their opponent, battling in the contest and running hard off half-back. Olinda was slowly chipping away at the margin, targeting Matt Scharenberg and Lachy Taylor down forward. Each finished with three goals, but it was too little too late. Every Olinda player continued to fight and show great courage in their respective contests, but it wasn’t enough. Woori-Yallock produced five goals for the quarter to ultimately eliminate the Bloods 123-75. The Tigers now face Wandin in a preliminary final, the winner of which goes on to play Narre Warren for the flag. The Bloods showed a fair bit of resilience and pride throughout the season and the group bonded well under coach Brendan Donovan. While the youthful exuberance within the side makes for a promising future, the focus now shifts to the preseason, where Olinda will plan to keep building in season 2023.
