AFL Outer-East: Upwey Tecoma sits atop the ladder after big win over Olinda Ferny Creek, but there’s hard work ahead
Upwey Tecoma sits atop the AFL Outer-East Premier Division ladder after a big win against Olinda Ferny Creek at the Upwey Recreation Reserve on Saturday, but coach David Bell says the Tigers aren’t getting too far ahead of themselves
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Upwey Tecoma sits atop the AFL Outer-East Premier Division ladder after a big win against Olinda Ferny Creek at the Upwey Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The Tigers kicked seven second-quarter goals to open an unassailable 46-point lead at the half on the way to a 14.15 (99) to 7.13 (55) win.
Coach David Bell was happy with the Tigers’ start but, after just two rounds, he said no-one at Chosen Ave was getting too far ahead of themselves.
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“A win’s a win and to be two and zip is fantastic,” he said. “But we know we’ve played two sides that are struggling for depth. Olinda had a quite a few out this week. We don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves.”
For the second week running spearhead Daniel Waters bagged five goals but the Tigers have worked hard to develop a multi-pronged attack this season, Kyle Grenda and Tom Robinson both kicking two goals in support.
“We don’t want to be as Dan-focused as we have been in the past,” Bell said. “Lachie Hughes was lively up forward, we’ve moved him from defence into attack this year and Sam Waters, while he didn’t impact on the scoreboard, he played a really good sacrificial game.
“Dan really gets up the ground, I’m looking forward to seeing the video of him up the ground and how much he gets it into the forward 50.”
Liam Beacom and Glenn Costas also played a big part in Upwey’s win.
For the Bloods Matt Cunningham, Lachlan Taylor and Tom Dawson kicked two goals each while Joshua Meadows, Kelsey Currie and Marcus Hottes did what they could.
Upwey Tecoma faces a big test this week when it travels to former SEFNL power Narre Warren.
“They move the ball really well. So, defensively, we’ll have to be on our game,” Bell said.
“It will be hard on a bigger ground, so we have to adjust to that.”
Meanwhile, Berwick bounced back from its loss to Wandin in last week’s epic shootout with a thumping win over Healesville in an Anzac Day clash at Edwin Flack Reserve.
After a nine-goal opening quarter, the Wickers were never in doubt and saluted 28.16 (184) to 5.2 (32).
Harrison Money kicked another six goals, making it 15 for the season, while Joshua Burgess, Trent Thomas and Tim Gunn helped keep the scoreboard ticking over with three apiece.
For the Bloods, Shane Mansfield and Jason Savage kicked two goals each while Nick Mende battled gamely.
Woori Yallock played its first footy for the season, after a round 1 bye, and celebrated by knocking over Wandin 13.8 (86) to 10.17 (77) at the Wandin North Reserve.
The 11-point win gave the Tigers both the perfect start to the new season and a small measure of revenge for last year’s defeat in the AFL Yarra Ranges grand final.
And, Narre Warren edged to a 12.13 (85) to 11.11 (77) win over Beaconsfield at Kalora Park.
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