By JUDY ORREN
ROUND 1 kicked off in sunshine this weekend.
There were some big winners in both football and netball.
Wandin and Olinda-Ferny Creek got their seasons off to a flying start; while in netball, Yarra Glen surprised Olinda as Wandin stamped its mark.
DIVISION 1
Healesville 10.18 (118) d Monbulk 9.16 (70)
This game started evenly with no side able to break away in the first half. Healesville did lead at half time by a slender 11 points. The third term was where it was won as Healesville made every post a winner. They played direct football and it paid dividends as they booted 7.1 for the quarter. Monbulk had its chances but a wasteful 2.6 put them six goals behind at the last change. Healesville continued its good form in the last, adding another six goals to four to run out eight-goal winners.
Best: Healesville – J. Goding, J. Savage, M. Fraraccio (7 goals), P. Fermanis (4 goals). Monbulk – S. Van Seters, J. Mohr, M. Favrin (3 goals).
Warburton Millgrove 15.14 (104) d Upwey Tecoma 13.12 (90)
Upwey looked the better side early as they jumped out to a 22-point lead at quarter time, but Warby dug deep in the second quarter, booting five goals to three, to reduce the margin to just six points at the main break. The second half was a great battle, but it was the run and carry from Warburton that really troubled Upwey. Warby went to the last change with an eight-point buffer. The Warby of previous seasons would have dropped this game but even though the scores were close they steadied when required and looked a more polished side than Upwey. They deserved the hard-fought 14-point victory.
Best: Warburton-Millgrove – L. Barnard, M. Walker, T. Walker, P. Hudson (5 goals).
Upwey-Tecoma – T. Robinson (3 goals), B. Hinton, S. Dawson, D. Waters (4 goals).
Woori Yallock 15.15 (105) d Belgrave 8.16 (64)
This game started even enough with Woori leading by just four points at quarter time but Woori got their game going in the second term, booting six goals to one to take a 33-point lead into half time. Woori extended that lead to an insurmountable 50 points by the last change and this game was all over bar the shouting. The last quarter did see Belgrave outscore Woori by nine points, but in the end it was a dominant performance by Woori who once again are going to be a force this season.
Best: Woori Yallock – J. Adams, B. Monkhorst (6 goals), T. Gibson, M. Baxter (4 goals). Belgrave – M. Johnson (2 goals), E. Doulgeris, K. Chandler, M. Collins (4 goals).
Olinda Ferny Creek 29.20 (194) d Yarra Glen 9.7 (61)
The first quarter was a competitive affair with Olinda leading by 21 points at the first change, but after that it was all one-way traffic. Olinda booted nine goals to two in the second term to put the game well and truly beyond doubt as they went into half time with a 65-point lead. The second half was more of the same as Olinda went on its merry way; they added another 14 goals to their total while Yarra Glen added just four. Olinda had 16 separate goal scorers for the day in what was a dominant display.
Best: Olinda-Ferny Creek – R. Wilson, M. Mollica (6 goals), J. Wallis, N. Keegan (4 goals). Yarra Glen – D. Hurley, A. Smith (1 goal), M. Gordon, B. James (2 goals).
Wandin 19.24 (138) d Mount Evelyn 5.7 (37)
Wandin only led by 21 points at half-time, but really should have been a lot further ahead. Wandin certainly straightened up in the third term, as they played direct footy and looked unstoppable. Wandin booted nine goals for the quarter while holding Mount Evelyn to just three behinds. The last quarter was still all Wandin as they kept extending its lead. They booted 4.9 to 1.1 to win by 105 points and in reality should have won by even more which is a scary thought.
Best: Wandin – J. Myers (3 goals), R. Ross, J. Ladner, J. Myers (3 goals). Mount Evelyn – J. Fellows, D. Kift, J. Barden.
