Olinda Women’s Team march into the second week of finals after a sturdy 48 point win against Pakenham in front of a vocal crowd at Upwey on Sunday.
It is the second time this year Olinda has played a marquee game at The Cauldron at Upwey, and the girls were anything but overawed with the occasion.
The mood in the rooms pre-game was exceptionally energetic and positive.
The air of excitement was no doubt aided by the sight of a kitted-up (and strapped up) full forward Phoebe Dixon raring to go, a decision that was made 11.30 that morning and was a surprise to all.
Phoebe was told by the surgeon that a return to play this season was out of the question, but in a true example of “Bloods culture”, Phoebe refused to desert her teammates in a do-or-die final and it is to her great credit.
This was the perfect recipe for a barnstorming start to the game by Olinda.
Unfortunately things don’t always go to script in football, and Olinda seemed tentative and overall lacked composure for the first quarter and a half.
Elimination finals have their own tempo, and both teams struggled to adjust.
16 a side is always a challenge for Olinda and due to some quirk the team ended up with 5 forwards on the bench for much of the game.
Pakenham decided to play 2 loose players in defence, and forwards Phoebe Dixon and Maddie Collins were regularly double teamed.
From the start of the game ruck master Chelsea Wilson gave Olinda’s midfield first use, and they continued to pump the ball into Olinda’s crowded forward line.
Often in life, the most gifted people do amazing things with seemingly little effort. Think of the best musicians, actors or sports people who seem to be able to perform the sublime without trying.
The same could sometimes be said of 15 year old Grace Belloni, who can accomplish anything on a football field and it often seems effortless. Sunday, Grace’s effort was on display for all to see, and it was a very impressive, dominant performance.
Grace was placed into the starting midfield for the first time this season, and shortly into the game had a Pakenham player sent to her for a hard tag.
For the duration of the game Grace fought every contest whether on the ground or in the air with a manic fervour, and won most. Grace topped off her best on ground performance with 3 classy goals.
Lily Carlin loves playing at Upwey, and for the second time this season she brought her own football to the game, having won the Anzac Day medal there earlier in the year.
Lily’s work inside and outside of the contest, coupled with her precise ball use was prolific all game, and was decisive in the victory.
Captain Maddie Collins prowled the forward line like a lioness all game, and is able to deliver the brilliant or the brutal at will.
Maddie dealt with some puerile hecklers on the hill in true style, curling one of her two goals through the middle from deep in the pocket.
The word tentative is not in Claire Hyett’s dictionary and she is a relentless competitor, not just every game, but every contest.
Amalija Kostich Angerson started a centre half forward after 2 months filling in for Chelsea Wilson in the ruck, and her presence in the forward line made a noticeable impact.
Amalija’s pressure was particularly telling in keeping the ball in Olinda’s forward line, and she kicked an impressive long range goal for the second week in a row.
Phoebe Dixon had an excellent game at full forward, and generated plenty of opportunities for herself and her teammates.
Phoebe kicked two goals but could have kicked more with straighter kicking, and all while battling two to three opponents on her own.
On the wings, the two Emms shined, Emmalee Keegan continuing her excellent form, and Emma McLauchlan playing her best game in two months.
Isla “Pipes” Bradbury was lively all game, and used her speed and ball use to great effect.
Defensive weapon Alex Gunn had a very effective day in her usual run-with role.
Special mention to young gun Ruby Gilson, who in the third quarter sold some candy with GST and sales tax applied that even Eddie Betts would have been envious of!
Overall it was a pleasing team effort by Olinda, but they will be concentrating on making a faster start when they come up against their nemesis Healesville in the Preliminary Final at Yarra Junction next Sunday.
