OLINDA FERNY CREEK VICTORS IN ALL 3 YVMDFL FOOTBALL GRAND FINALS
YVMDFL Second Division Grand Finals
Seniors
Olinda Ferny Creek v Kinglake (GRAND FINAL)
In front of a massive crowd at Woori Yallock, including Prime Minister Mr Kevin Rudd, Olinda pulled off a victory in what many are saying was the best YVMDFL grand final seen for many a year. Olinda Ferny Creek 12.12.84 defeated Kinglake 11.12.78. This was one of the biggest build ups to a YVMDFL Grand Final ever seen. Sometimes when a build up is so big the main attraction of the big game can be a letdown, however this time everything lived up to expectations. Not only was the day a huge occasion, the Grand Final itself was a thriller. Kinglake kicked with the aid of a strong breeze in the first term and booted 5.7 to 1.2 to lead by 29 points at the first change. Olinda got their chance with the breeze in the second and got themselves back into the game and by half time led by 7 points after kicking 5.6 and holding Kinglake scoreless for the term. It was now Kinglake’s turn to see if they could use the strong breeze well enough to gain a big enough lead going into the last. Kinglake did use the breeze effectively and kicked 5.3 to Olinda’s 1.3. At the last change it was Kinglake by 18 points. The last quarter was an absolute nail biter, Kinglake kicked the 1st goal of the quarter to go 4 goals ahead and a fairy tale finish to the season looked on the cards. Olinda had other ideas as their use of the footy with the wind improved markedly, they kicked the last 5 goals of the game, but with 2 minutes to go Kinglake had a 7 point lead. Olinda’s David Noorda converted after taking a great mark 30 metres out directly in front, scores were then level with just under a minute to go. With 30 seconds to go a great team run down the flank by Olinda created an opportunity for man of the match Glen Stevens to snap the winning goal after receiving a ripper hand pass from Ben O’Neill. With the siren sounding soon after, Olinda claimed a come from behind victory in a classic contest.
Unfortunately there had to be a loser and Kinglake was superb in defeat. The Kinglake Football Netball Club has been an inspiration to the Nation and they have almost singlehandedly rekindled spirit & hope for their fire devastated community. Congratulations Kinglake, you are great ambassadors for the YVMDFL & the sporting community.
Olinda was the form team all season and congratulations must go to them for an outstanding year and a well deserved premiership win that I’m sure will be celebrated long and hard. Congratulations Olinda Ferny Creek. Olinda’s best: Glenn Stevens, Patrick Rosier and Dylan Troutman. Kinglake’s best: Chris Watkins, Cameron Scott and Mathew Thomas.
Reserves
Olinda Ferny Creek v Yarra Glen (GRAND FINAL)
Olinda Ferny Creek 14.11.95 defeated Yarra Glen 9.9.63. Olinda has been the dominant force and has won their last 14 games in a row. Yarra Glen was the only team to get within 6 goals of them in that time. Olinda started the better of the 2 sides with a 5.2 to 2.2 first quarter but that was with the aid of the breeze. It was now Yarra Glen’s turn to see if they could use it more effectively and draw closer. Yarra Glen looked very threatening in the 2nd quarter and did draw level half way through the term but the experience of Olinda’s older heads steadied and they finished the quarter with 3 goals to go into half time with a 16 point lead. Yarra Glen kicked the first goal of the 3rd quarter to bridge the gap to 10 points but after that it was Olinda that started to use the ball slightly better than their opponents. Olinda only kicked 3 goals for the term but it was enough to stretch their lead to 33 points at 3 quarter time. Yarra Glen was gallant but Olinda was never going to let this one slip, Olinda did skip out to a 7 goal lead at one stage but to Yarra Glen’s credit they finished the day off kicking the last 2 goals and in fact outscored Olinda in the final term by a point. Olinda’s experience was the difference in the end and Yarra Glen will learn and only get better from here. A fantastic victory to the Olinda boys. Congratulations. Olinda’s best: Brent Green, Simon Leone and Tim Wall. Yarra Glen’s best: Rick Young, Mitch Thomas and Daniel Bouma.
Under 18s
Olinda Ferny Creek v Emerald (GRAND FINAL)
Olinda Ferny Creek 11.14.80 defeated Emerald 7.7.49. At quarter time of this game it looked like Olinda by how far, Olinda led 6.4 to 1 goal. Olinda started the 2nd term with the first goal and it wasn’t looking good for Emerald. All of a sudden Emerald realized they were playing in a Grand Final and started winning the hard ball, that in turn reflected on the scoreboard and by half time they found themselves back in the match only trailing by 20 points. Olinda had the aid of the breeze in the 3rd term but wasted every opportunity they had and booted 7 straight behind for the term, Emerald kicked 1 goal against the breeze which saw them within striking distance only 21 points down at the last change. Emerald had to be brave and smooth with the footy to have any chance of a come from behind victory but Olinda played smart footy and didn’t waste their disposal and in fact outscored a very gallant Emerald 3 goals to 1 to win by what was an impressive 31 points by the final siren. Congratulations to Olinda on a fine year and a well deserved Premiership victory. Olinda’s best: Owen Raszkiewicz, Harry Cole and Tom Dawson.
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