Rebels get a boost

By Ben O’Brien
THE penultimate round of the Commodore Press Second Division was the final round of the season for ladder leaders Alexandra, who finished their year with a percentage boosting win over Powelltown.
However, the boost was still not enough to bridge the percentage gap between the Rebels and local rival Thornton, who are poised, in second place, to claim the minor premiership with a win this week, when Alexandra has the bye.
The Shinboners had 28 shots to Belgrave’s 17, but scraped home by a solitary goal, thanks to Belgrave’s remarkable kicking of 14.3 to their own slightly inaccurate 13.15.
The game looked all over at halftime, with Thornton ahead by 5 goals, but they were outscored in the second half by a more determined Belgrave, who will either be playing Thornton (again) or Alexandra in the first week of the finals.
Yarra Glen slumped to their second successive defeat, this time at the hands of Emerald, in a worrying loss of form at the wrong end of the year – the margin, a comprehensive 44 points in favour of the Bombers.
Leigh McCombe’s good form continued, while the Thunder’s Dean Selkrig kept his chance of claiming the goalkicking title alive with five goals.
A high-scoring affair at South Belgrave saw the home team defeat Seville, 22.12.144 to 16.15.111. Robert Makinson kicked a handful for the victors, and his efforts were matched by the Blues’ Dean Troyahn – David Huglin was BOG.
With one significant exception, the results in the Compass Group First Division were heavily one-sided, in favour of the favourites. Despite Gary Moorcroft only kicking two goals, Silvan still managed to defeat Warburton-Millgrove by 96 points, a result that virtually locks away top spot for the Cats.
Wandin defeated Mount Evelyn by an even 100 points, after scores were level at quarter-time, to restore some balance to the Dogs’ percentage – they remain two games outside the top-5, with two rounds to play. Nick Brisbane kicked 8 goals, with Matt Mitchell taking best-on-ground honours.
Monbulk invoked the spirit of Richie Benaud, accounting for Gembrook by 218 points – Tim Wragg bagged seven goals, Ryan Creed six and Chris Hughson five in a dominant performance by the Hawks.
After an ordinary first term, Healesville put the foot down against Olinda to eventually win by 137 points – Simon Gordon’s dozen goals rendered him the best afield.
In the clash of the Tigers, and likely finals rivals, Upwey hosted Woori Yallock and, despite their best efforts, Upwey were held at arm’s length to eventually succumb by seven points, in a game that gave plenty of encouragement to both sides for the finals.
The names Bonuda, Sharp, Hayes and Van Hoorn featured prominently in the best players, while D.Williamson (6 goals) and Muccitelli also got amongst it in front of the sticks.
YVMDFL finals’ venues will be confirmed this week, with all details on the league’s website www.yvmdfl.com.au.