Alexandra triumphs

By Bob Foletta
THE YVMDFL celebrates a new premiership team in Second Division with Alexandra displaying an awesome brand of disciplined team football. In First Division, Upwey Tecoma goes into this year’s grand final against Silvan after a convincing win against Healesville.
The Second Division grand final was played on the weekend with Alexandra defeating Thornton by 14 points. Both sides have been going at each other since they came into the competition three years ago and after Thornton won last year’s premiership.
Alexandra was out to even the ledger. Alexandra started the game more aggressively and worked hard to push the ball forward on every occasion. This helped them to a 13-point lead at quarter-time. This seemed to spark Thornton into action, as they kicked six goals to 3 in the second quarter to take a nine-point lead into halftime. With the way the first half went, the game was still up in the air.
Alexandra took the game by the horns and in the third quarter and they kicked five goals to one to have them up by 15 points at the last change.
When the final siren sounded Alexandra had held on to win the grand final by 14 points. For Alexandra Brayden Norris kicked four goals while Marcus Hill in a best on ground performance and Scott Rowan both kicked two. James Kidd, Thomas McKinlay and coach Michael Bretherton were Alexandra’s best players for the day. For Thornton, Ryan Hall kicked four goals while Shane Parker kicked two. Bernard Hourigan, Marc Hardy and Daniel Creed battled hard all day for Thornton.
In First Division, Upwey headed into the preliminary final against Healesville as slight favourite but it wouldn’t have surprised if Healesville had continued their winning run in this year’s finals campaign.
In the end, Upwey ran out comfortable winners by 31 points. They now have the unenviable task of trying to bring down the might of Silvan.
Upwey was well served up forward by Eamon Keogh who kicked four goals. David Van Hoorn played a supporting role up forward with two goals as well. Ryan Van Hoorn, Jayden Orger and Tom Hedge were standouts all day for Upwey.
For Healesville, Jye Conrau continued his form in front of the big sticks with four goals of his own while Simon Gordon and Luke Barclay both kicked two goals each. Mark Gibb and Ryan Carruthers battled hard all day for Healesville.
Next week’s First Division grand finals at the Gembrook Football Ground are: Under 18 – Warburton v Silvan; Reserves – Upwey Tecoma v Healesville; Seniors – Silvan v Upwey Tecoma.
For all game details log onto yvmdfl.com.au.