AFL Outer East: Cranbourne upsets Berwick, Upwey Tecoma stuns Wandin and snow falls on Olinda

The AFL Outer East Premier Division top five is taking shape after a remarkable round that saw shock results and snowfall.

The ski slopes of the Olinda Recreation Reserve on Saturday morning. Picture: Olinda Ferny Creek Football Netball Club facebook

Two big upsets and a determined slog in the snow of the Dandenong Ranges went a long way to shaping the Premier Division top five on Saturday.

Cranbourne has opened a six-point lead in fifth spot after holding on for a memorable win at Berwick while Wandin was rolled after halftime by Upwey Tecoma at Chosen Ave.

And Beaconsfield continues to press Woori Yallock in the battle for third spot and the double-chance after getting the better of winter snow and a determined Olinda Ferny Creek at the Olinda Recreation Reserve.

An upset was always on the cards when Cranbourne kicked the first four goals of the match against the Wickers at Edwin Flack Reserve on Saturday.

But Berwick is flag favourite for a reason and narrowed the gap to less than a straight kick by the final change of ends.

After fortunes ebbed a flowed over the last half-hour, the Eagles saluted 7.4 (46) to 6.6 (42).

“We’ve had some big games over the last few weeks, “ Cranbourne coach Steve O’Brien said. “We put a lot of work into it during the week and we thought we had a game plan that would work. Just sticking to the plan (was the key). We coughed up a couple of goals in the final quarter when we went away from the plan.”

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Cranbourne coach Steve O'Brien. Picture: Chris Eastman

Hampering the Eagles’ efforts, O’Brien was down a runner in the final quarter making it difficult to get instructions out to his side as Berwick surged.

“We had to try and do it from the bench,” O’Brien said. “But full credit to the guys, they did a lot of the messaging themselves.

“We got that last goal and then just roughed it out.

“We were down a couple of soldiers, which made it tough.”

The win gives Cranbourne some breathing space on the eve of the finals.

“We went into the game thinking we can only control what we can control,” he said. “Up until yesterday destiny wasn’t really in our own hands. (But) we’ve got to maintain focus from now on.”

Ahead of the weekend, form suggested Berwick would be too strong for Cranbourne, giving Wandin the chance to jump back into the five with a win over Upwey Tecoma.

And, 27 points up at halftime, that seemed on the cards.

But Upwey pulled off a remarkable comeback and, after a five-goal final quarter, the Tigers claimed an 11.6 (72) to 8.15 (63) win that has severely dented the Bulldogs’ finals chances.

Social media was alive with pictures of the Olinda Recreation Reserve on Saturday morning, a thick blanket of snow painting a scene more in keeping with Falls Creek than a footy ground.

Though the conditions were much improved by the start of the senior match, the Bloods looked the better and led at quarter and halftime.

But a six-goal third term swung the momentum in the Eagles’ favour and Beaconsfield secured a 13.13 (91) to 7.12 (54) win that keeps it within two points of Woori Yallock in the battle for third.

Beaconsfield coach Leigh McQuillen chose the perfect weekend to be in Perth for the national schools championships, basking in 22 degrees while his side donned the long-sleeved jumpers for their trip to the hills.

He joked that his players weren’t likely to let him forget.

“Don’t worry, there’s been talk of ice baths when I get back,” said. “The boys were texting me all morning: ‘seriously, do we have to play in this’.”

Olinda Recreation Reserve on match day morning. Picture: Olinda Ferny Creek Football Netball Club

McQuillen said the stand-in coaching staff had “changed things up a bit” at halftime and the Eagles had responded in what was a danger game.

“It was one of those games that could have got away,” he said. “Berwick lost its second game for the year and Upwey beat Wandin.”

Woori Yallock made sure it held the coveted third position with an 11.19 (85) to 1.4 (10) win over Healesville while Narre Warren had the week off for the bye.

Division 1: Doveton def Monbulk 15.7 (97) to 7.5 (47); Mt Evelyn def Belgrave 10.20 (80); Pakenham def Warburton Millgrove 11.8 (74) to 1.2 (8); Officer defeated Emerald 17.14 (116) to 4.3 (27).

Division 2: Gembrook Cockatoo def Thornton Eildon 19.14 (128) to 3.3 (21); Kinglake defeated Yarra Junction 12.9 (81) to 5.8 (38), Yarra Glen def Alexandra 27.21 (183) to 8.8 (56); Powelltown def Yea 18.14 (122) to 3.5 (23); Seville (bye).

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