It was another massive week in the life of Under 9s football.
The Young Bloods played host to a fired up Yarra Glen side, in front of a huge crowd of Olinda faithful.
It was an extra special night as this encounter was the curtain raiser for the Olinda women’s senior side.
With plenty at stake, the 9s showed plenty of promise, raising many an eyebrow from the onlooking senior side.
This display of pure football bliss was a real inspiration for the all at the ground.
There were many highlights across the night but it was Olinda’s desire to win the ground ball that had every applauding.
The Under 11 boys opened up the days footy at Olinda in beautiful conditions and put on a clinic against a developing Yarra Junction side. They demonstrated some great ball movement to be able to score heavily in the first half.
Rotating players to give them opportunities around the ground and also giving Junction a bit of a boost showed great teamwork and sportsmanship.
Under 12 girls had a bye.
Under 13 boys white team also had a bye.
Another strong performance by the Under 13 Reds on the weekend as the lads notched up their 10th win for the season.
The first quarter was played predominately in Olinda’s forward half however their forward structure and ball use was not up to usual standard. As a result Olinda were unable to capitalise on the scoreboard.
After a quarter time reminder about team first football, holding position, maintaining structure and lowering the eyes, the boys “upped the anti” and played some really impressive tram football for the remainder of the game.
Super pleasingly was the fact Olinda had 11 individual goal kickers for the match, sharing the ball around and bringing teammates into the game.
Congratulations to Nate Johnson who celebrated his 50th game.
Final scores Olinda 12.15.87 def Healesville 0.0.0
The club knew it would be a fierce game based on the way the girls entered the club rooms yesterday.
As the sun beat down upon the Olinda Oval, (a rarity on a wintery Sunday morning) the girls had a certain attitude about them, and it showed in the way they played. Mt Evelyn White has been the team with which we have had our closest battles and yesterday was no different.
Olinda’s girls drew first blood by hitting the scoreboard early with the first goal of the match. And while it was a solitary goal, the girls got round each other and it felt like the first win of the season was on the cards.
Alas, it was not to be, but not through lack of effort, drive and determination. The girls really played for each other and their tenacity, their grit and their never say die attitude was mentioned by the opposition coach after the match.
A huge game in which we got the closest we have to a win. The girls should be very proud of themselves.
Looking forward to the last game of the season this Sunday.
Round 12 saw Olinda’s Under 15 boys host top of the ladder team Wandin in perfect conditions for football and it would prove to be a game to remember.
The opening quarter was an even contest with Wandin taking a three-point lead into the first break.
The second quarter was all Olinda, kicking three goals to nil off the back of some dominant clearance work and efficient forward entries, while the third quarter was the complete opposite with Wandin kicking 2.7 to Olinda’s solitary point.
The final quarter began with Wandin holding a four-point lead and ending with the visitors hanging on, deep inside Olinda’s forward line to record a nail biting three-point victory.
Aden Bates (two goals) and Tom Ford (30 possessions) were superb in what was their joint 100th game for Olinda, and along with Lenny Barry (tireless all day), Will Meyer (impassable in defence), River Bellemo (two goals) and many unsung heroes helped Olinda put on their best performance for the year.
A special mention to the seven Under 13s who stepped up with courage and skill.
Final scores
Wandin 4.15.39 d Olinda 5.6.36
At home and under clear skies (for a change) Olinda’s Under 17 boys came up against an undermanned Seville.
The boys played a great brand of footy from start to finish putting together a quality four quarter performance, in the end running away with a comprehensive win.
The teamwork was fantastic and showed with eleven different goal scorers for the game. Great job boys.
