Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League
1st Division
Seniors
Upwey Tecoma v Woori Yallock (GRAND FINAL)
In perfect football conditions the scene was set for a great game of football. The main event started with an inspiring display by 11 year old Chenile Chandler from Healesville singing our National Anthem. In a high standard performance from both teams, Upwey Tecoma reigned supreme in front of a huge crowd at Woori Yallock Reserve in the YVMDFL High Mountain Spring Water Division One Grand Final. With their first senior flag for 10 years, Upwey Tecoma 17.14.116 was too strong over a gallant Woori Yallock 12.13.85.
Upwey has been the dominant team all season and went into the Grand Final as hot favorites. Woori Yallock weren’t far behind and in fact was the only team to have beaten Upwey in the home and away season. Woori Yallock started the game in good style and was winning more of the 50/50 contests, and by quarter time, lead by 9 points. The margin should have been greater if not for some inaccuracy as the 3.6 to 2.3 scoreline would suggest. Upwey came out in the 2nd term and showed the crowd why they were favorites with an outstanding 8 goal quarter, where David Bell possibly played the best quarter of football in his career kicking 5 of those 8 goals. Upwey’s run and sharing of the football was brilliant. By half time they had turned a 9 point deficit into what was thought to be a match winning 41 point lead. Woori Yallock weren’t going to roll over and in the 3rd quarter they produced some of their best football, all of a sudden Woori started winning more of the ball and started hitting the scoreboard on a regular basis. Woori Yallock kicked 7 unanswered goals and got within 1 point of Upwey. Upwey did steady the ship a little with 2 late goals in the 3rd quarter and that was the margin going into the last quarter. This game was set for a great finish and for the first 10 minutes of the last quarter no team could grab the ascendancy. It was Upwey however that finally got the scoreboard ticking over and as gallant as Woori Yallock was, it was Upwey that eventually broke the back of Woori by booting 5 goals to 2 and running out 31 point winners. Congratulations to Upwey Tecoma on a brilliant season and a well deserved premiership win. Upwey’s Tyson Heinrich was a star all day and named best on the ground with an exemplary performance. Upwey Tecoma’s other best players included : Tom Hedge, Daniel Sheers, Sam Waters & David Bell. Woori Yallock’s best: Patrick Sharp, Matthew Wright, Mitchell Bonuda and Mathew Stolarczyk.
Reserves
Upwey Tecoma v Monbulk (GRAND FINAL)
Upwey Tecoma 11.8.74 defeated Monbulk 5.7.37. The first 10 minutes of this game wasn’t pretty football as both sides seemed to be very nervous on the big stage. Upwey did settle the better and by quarter time had 4 goals on the board, Monbulk could only manage 1 goal for the term.
Upwey only kicked 2 goals in the 2nd term but unfortunately for Monbulk they could only manage 1 major and at half time Upwey lead by an even 4 goals. The 3rd quarter was a carbon copy of the 2nd with Upwey booting 2 goals to Monbulks 1 thus stretching Upwey’s lead to 30 points at the last change. Monbulk would have to produce their best football to have any chance of pulling off victory but Upwey were never going to let that happen, Upwey finished the day with a 3 goal to 2 last quarter which saw them double Monbulk’s score and win with a consistent 4 quarter performance. Upwey Tecoma’s best: Shane Thomas, Darren Spence and Ben Waters. Monbulk’s best: Paul Bartlett, Damian Smethurst and Shaun Klep.
Under 18s
Mount Evelyn v Monbulk (GRAND FINAL)
The future of our football is only as good as the juniors coming through. There is no doubt our future is secure after what has been a sensational Under 18 competition this season. In a nail biter, Monbulk defied all odds in what was one of the most magnificent team efforts seen for many years in the Porter Davis YVMDFL Under 18 Division One Grand Final. Mt Evelyn was always assured of a finals berth, Monbulk however had to fight hard for their position and had to win their last game of the season to make it. Monbulk managed to win their last game by a mere 5 points…..and snuck into the finals in 5th place. After defeating the more highly fancied Warburton, Healesville and Upwey U18 teams during their finals campaign, Monbulk appeared to be improving as a team from week to week, although Mt Evelyn did look the team to beat in the grand final. Nevertheless, Monbulk showed the football public that anything is possible, with an awesome team performance.
Monbulk 9.6.60 defeated Mount Evelyn 8.5.53. The crowd was treated to a fantastic game of football where it was a shame that there had to be a loser. Both these sides are blessed with some exceptional talent that was truly on display here. Mount Evelyn looked the more dangerous early and at quarter time held a 2 goal lead (4.2 to 2.2). The next 2 quarters was a real arm wrestle as it went goal for goal with no team able to gain a handy lead. Mount Evelyn went into the last quarter leading by a slender 5 points. The crowd had already been treated to a great display of football but that was nothing compared to the frantic last quarter. Mount Evelyn got out to an 11 point lead midway through the quarter but Monbulk booted the next 2 goals and hit the lead for the first time in the game with just minutes left on the clock. Monbulk kicked 1 more major and held on to win by 7 points. This was a brilliant victory by Monbulk who are now YVMDFL Division One Under 18 Champions for 2009. Congratulations to Monbulk on a great performance. Monbulk’s Benjamin Bedford-Lee starred not only in the grand final but he was at his brilliant best in all finals games. Ben was named best on ground in an awesome display. Monbulk’s other best players included Sam Whittington and Dylan Werts whilst best for Mount Evelyn Callum Urquhart, Jackson Fellows with 6 goals and Anthony Smart.
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