Week Two Recap

The second weekend of competitions across Outer East Football Netball saw a mixed of results and other matches as the remaining premier division fixtures and all veterans competitions got underway.

Wandin got the bragging rights over Mount Evelyn on both the football field and netball court as they faced off for the first time in four years, while new rivalries also took place as Officer/ROC took the step into premier division for the first time.

We welcomed Devon Meadows, Phillip Island and Neerim Neerim South to the league for the first time, through the veterans competition which saw a mixture of results there.

Take a look at the weekend in review, with the week two recap here:

Premier Data Premier Division Football

The Match of the Round contest between Olinda Ferny Creek and Woori Yallock for the most part, was a one-sided contest with the Tigers not allowing themselves to be pushed around by the home side in the first match of the season for both clubs. However, at three-quarter time, the Bloods found another gear within themselves to work their way back into the contest, kicking six goals in the last quarter to put themselves in with a genuine chance of snatching the game from the firm grip of Woori Yallock. As both sides fought it out within the last five minutes, it was the Tigers who managed to hang on to win by six points under the leadership of Kody Busoli and power forward Zach Monkhorst who booted four goals.

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Playing in its first match since making the step up into premier division, Officer got the good start against Upwey Tecoma to take a 20-point lead into half-time. With both sides making a nervous start, the Kangaroos lost control of the game in the second half, as the Tigers fought back to kick eight goals in the third quarter to give themselves a six-goal lead heading into the final change. The home side made a last-ditch effort with five goals in the final quarter, but were ultimately no match for the winners, as Upwey Tecoma took an 11-point win to put themselves in third on the ladder. Daniel Waters was a big influence with five goals while Bailey Oates, Jai Sheehan, Jackson Waters, Nathan Waterman and Keenan Hinton also featured prominently for the Tigers.

Meeting again for the first time in four years since the formation of Outer East FN, Wandin and Mount Evelyn went head-to-head on Sunday afternoon as the Bulldogs took a round one win over its local rivals to put themselves in second on the ladder. After a slow start to the game, the Bulldogs put their foot down in the second quarter, kicking six goals to one to give themselves a handy 32-point win at half-time. Through the efforts of Daniel Hirst and Patrick Hodgett who kicked seven goals between them, Wandin maintained control of the match from there, finishing with a 26-point victory over the Rovers.

Karcher Premier Division Netball

On the netball courts with the Match of the Round contest, Olinda Ferny Creek and Woori Yallock fought out a hotly contested game as the away team tried its best to stay in touch with the might of the Bloods. In the end, the Bloods set a new record for most consecutive games won in A grade netball with 32, eclipsing its own record of 31. Hayley Howard, Jackie Cutting and Holly Taubert were the goal shooters for the Bloods, scoring 28, 21 and 11 goals.

Also stepping into premier division, ROC were in a tough fight with first time rivals Upwey Tecoma on the netball courts of Starling Road, with the Kangaroos hanging on for a two-point victory over the Tigers. In her first game as captain, Sam Neil showed brilliant on-court leadership to keep her side in front, albeit minorly for the entirety of the match while David Hare’s Tigers did all they could but were ultimately not able to leap ahead of the home side. Neil, Isabella O’Shannassy, and Mikaela Dakic got the goals for the home side, while Rachel Grawich, Jessica Black, Holly Nieuwenhuizen hit the scoreboard for Upwey Tecoma.

Just as it was on the football field, the netball teams of Wandin and Mount Evelyn met again for the first time in four seasons, but it was the Bulldogs who proved to be the stronger side and took home the win come matches end, 71-41. The home side gradually built its lead as the match wore on with Abby Gedge and Chelsea Smith scoring 46 and 25 goals each while Rory Barr, Kaila Swindell and Kaitlyn Black all hit the scoreboard for the Rovers.

Playing in premier division for the first time, Monbulk took a surprise victory against Beaconsfield at Holm Park in an early sign that they can be a competitive force in season 2022. The Hawks had its nose in front at every break with Tarnee Adams, Sophie Stubbs and Stephanie Puopolo hitting the scoreboard for the winners while Zara Treweek and Suzie Bourchier got the ball through the hoops for the Eagles. The final score was 38-34.

Community Bank Division One Football 

The clash between local rivals Yarra Glen and Healesville was in favour of the Bloods at three-quarter time before the River Pigs fought hard to get themselves back into the contest, eventually going down by five points at the full-time siren. The win sees Dean DeMunk’s Bloods team start the season 2-0 with Jesse Bates, Max Donegan, Sam Gebert and Jack Nugent sharing multiple goals between them. The River Pigs starred in defeat, with Charlie Wood snaring four majors while Lachlan Telford, James Whelan and Billy Gardner also hit the scoreboard for Yarra Glen.

In its first match of season 2022, Gembrook Cockatoo came out firing against Belgrave with a 120-point win against the home side to place them on top of the ladder. Michael Firrito and Myles Wareham kicked seven goals each for the Brookers while Josh Tilly and Jesse Pantorno also snagged multiple goals for the winners. Ben Schultze, Caleb Crestani and Frank Didonato also stood up to be featured in their best players.

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Going up against each other for the first time, the match between Berwick Springs and Seville went the way of the Blues, as they took a 67-point victory against the Titans at Mick Morland Reserve. Ryan Farrow and captain Nathan O’Keefe starred up forward for the winners, booting five goals each while Phil Muscara, Mark Cecere, Jack Coshutt, Jack Nolan, Sonny Sanuga and Ryan Farrow all featured as the best players. For the Titans, Kayden Buselli was a force up forward with his three-goal effort providing something for the home crowd to cheer about.

Karcher Division One Netball

The match between local rivals Yarra Glen and Healesville was a one-sided affair, with the River Pigs taking the win 56-19. Stephanie Gibbs, Lara Wandin-Collins and Skye Corrigan were the stars in up forward for the River Pigs with 25, 21 and 10 goals each while Jacqueline Hibberd and Chelsea Birchall also featured as the best players. Chenile Chandler, Brooke Erickson and Bek Breukers were the standouts for the Bloods on an afternoon they can extract a lot of learning from.

Celebrating the official opening of its brand-new netball courts, Belgrave were competitive in its match against Gembrook Cockatoo but were unable to keep up as they went down 37-47. Georgia Donnelly, Krystyna Gabell and Catherine Smith shared the goals between them while Danielle Weisgerber also put in a great performance to feature in the Magpies best players list. For the Brookers, it was Rebecca Christie, Amiee Harkin and Chelsea Ingram who were the goal scorers while reigning league best & fairest winner Paige Ladner was also a standout.

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Just as it was on the football field, Seville got the chocolates in the A grade netball match with a 47-29 win over Berwick Springs. Returning to the side this week, star goal shooter Olivia Ray shot 22 goals for the Blues while Ella Morse and Ellie Dowling also managed to get some balls in the hoops for the winners. Emily Wicks and Erin Baker also starred for Seville while Jess Hoskin, Charlie Brocks, Laura Walker and Chloe Maas were the shining lights for the Titans.

In its first matchup ever, Berwick and Emerald fought through a tight game to three-quarter time before the Wickers stretched its lead out marginally in the final quarter to take a 42-33 victory at Chandler Reserve. Olivia Macente, Emma Clarke, Danielle Hanley were the best players for the Wickers while Soleil Lehmann-Rhodes, Jazmyn Wray and Kaylah Loulanting were the best players for the Bombers.

ATC Traffic Division Two Football

In its first match of the season, Kinglake started from where they left off last season taking a 117-point victory over Broadford. The Lakers had multiple goalkickers throughout the day with Jed Tyrell, Damian Pywell, Mason McAllister, Jake McNamara and Ethan Robinson featuring prominently throughout the day. Jack Crowe, Matt Langford and Ben White also played well across the day to feature in their best players.

Powelltown and Warburton Millgrove had a good fight throughout its matchup on Saturday afternoon where the Demons appeared to have the upper hand on the Burras for the majority of the march, until the last quarter came around. The Burras fought back quickly within the last five minutes of the game, kicking a flurry of goals to even up the scores with only one minute to go before a quick kick to Joel Perry inside forward 50 set him up for a kick after the siren. Through his experience with poise and staying calm, Perry executed the moment perfectly, slotting the footy through the big sticks for his eighth major to give Powelltown the win. Dean Roy and Jayden Fowkes were also multiple goal scorers with five and three while Mitch Bonuda kicked five for Warburton Millgrove.

Yarra Junction had a good outing with its win over Yea over the weekend with Sam Morton, Sam Cannon, Dean Eliades, Ewan Wadsworth, Cooper Holmes and Luke Spalding featuring as its best. Charlton Jenkins, Tyler Chisholm, Julian Mahon, Nick Gilbee, Bailey Nund and playing coach Will Schwab were the highlights for Yea as they continue in its rebuilding cycle.

Karcher Division Two Netball

Broadford have continued its brilliant start to season 2022 on the netball court, with a 50-21 victory over Kinglake to place themselves on top of the ladder. Ally Black, Renee Sari and Caitlin Hinrichsen were the goal shooters for the Kangaroos with 30, 15 and 5 while Amanda Rothwell also starred for the Kangaroos. In its first match of the season, Alex Mercuri, Matilda Withers and Amy Teodorovic were the best players for Kinglake.

Warburton Millgrove had control of its match against Powelltown from start to finish, taking the win 51 to 36 at Powelltown Recreation Reserve. Bianca Daniels was again in strong form with 40 goals while Ally Langdon and Gabby Woods starred for the winners. At the other end of the court, Amy Stanley shot 28 goals for the Demons while playing coach Hayley Debuf, Olivia Caneva and Demi Barber were Powelltown’s best players.

Yea and Yarra Junction were locked in a tight match up to half time, before the Eagles stood on the gas in the last quarter to run away as 30-point winners. Jess Ellwood and Claire Spicer hit the scoreboard with 41 and 14 goals while Rachelle Jones, Stephanie Ratcliff and Katelin Harrison were named as the best players.

Karcher Senior Women’s Football

Taking the field for its first match after missing out last week, Monbulk took a 23-point win over Thornton Eildon to move themselves into fifth on the ladder. Maddison Dodd was the only goalkicker for the match with two majors while Caitlyn Harris, Laura Gillard, Indy Bakker, Maddy Horne and Stephanie King were named as the best players for the Hawks.

Taking the field for its first match of the season, Upwey Tecoma took a 75-point victory over Pakenham at Toomuc Reserve in a win that places the Tigers in second on the ladder. Alexandria Bantock and Daniela Gisler shared six goals between them for the afternoon while captain Kiana Oates, Ella Collard, Madison Walsh and Cal McNess were named as the best players.

In another win which further propels its growth, Olinda Ferny Creek took a 153-point victory over Seville in a twilight match which took place at Olinda Recreation Reserve. Playing in her first match in the senior women’s side, 15-year-old Grace Belloni was a star with three goals, great skills and roving around the ground easily positioning her as one of the best players on the ground, which shows clear signs in her growth as a footballer. Captain Madeleine Collins and ruckman Chelsea Wilson were also shining lights for the Bloods, while the Blues will now have a bit to think about in its development as a football side.

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Yarra Glen were finally able to take the field with a women’s football team after missing out last week but have a long way to go in its development, going down to Healesville by 107 points. Perry Byron, Scarlett Porter and Emily Hay were the goalkickers for the Bloods with six, four and two while Kelly Laidlaw, Erica Cianci, Amy Frazzetto and Anne Crymbie were named as the best players.

The game between Belgrave and Yarra Junction was a forfeit and no match took place.

Other highlights

The OEFN veterans’ competition also played its first round over the weekend, as the league welcomed teams from Phillip Island, Devon Meadows and Neerim Neerim South. On Saturday, Gembrook Cockatoo took a 15-point win over Mount Evelyn to start proceedings with the remainder of matches played on Sunday. A big crowd turned out at Devon Meadows for its six-goal win over Tooradin Dalmore and Phillip Island had an 89-point win over Neerim Neerim South. The highlight of the weekend was Narre Warren getting the win in a close game at Kalora Park by eight-points over Healesville.

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