AFL Yarra Ranges: Healesville’s finals form goes up a notch with win over Olinda Ferny Creek

For weeks Healesville was locked in a desperate struggle to book itself an AFL Yarra Ranges Division 1 finals berth, but some sides just live for September.

Some sides just live for September.

For weeks Healesville was locked in a desperate struggle against Mount Evelyn and Monbulk to book itself a finals berth.

But, that goal achieved, the Bloods have taken their game to another level.

Last week Healesville demolished Upwey Tecoma to the tune of 100+ points in the elimination final.

LOWER PLENTY WILL NEVER WIN ANOTHER ONE LIKE THIS

EFL: BURNERS’ SEASON ENDS IN HEARTBREAK

SFL: HIGHETT IN UPSET GRAND FINAL WIN

Jack Nugent was again outstanding for Healesville. Picture: Stuart Milligan

On Saturday at Yarra Junction it claimed another scalp when it beat reigning premiers Olinda Ferny Creek in the first semi-final, 13.14 (92) to 8.8 (56), to move to within one win of a grand final berth.

Healesville coach Bryan Cole said injury management had been a key to getting his side over a late-season slump that threatened to dump it from the finals calculations.

“It’s been a long season,” he said. “Basically we haven’t had our best team out there. We’ve got a slightly older team so we’ve lightened things off a bit. Ten years ago I would’ve pushed them a lot harder (if in a slump).

“We lost three in a row, which put us under the pump. But you’ve just got to be the best in September — look at the (AFL) Bulldogs and Richmond.”

The Healesville boss was full of praise for the leadership of Jack Nugent and his team’s growing self-belief.

“Jack’s had an outstanding season and yesterday was one out of the box,” he said. “It’s (self-belief) a really big factor, we all pretty much train the same way.”

After losing Dylan Troutman, Callum Eade and skipper Marcus Hottes to injury last week

Olinda Ferny Creek started the match with a fair deal of soreness. But after leading by a point at quarter-time and three at the half it looked well placed.

Healesville coach Bryan Cole. Picture: Stuart Milligan

But relishing the post-season pressure, Healesville booted five goals in the third term and four in the last to grind its way to a six-goal win.

Rodney Woodford and Kokwam Niki booted three goals apiece to set the scoreboard ticking while Nugent (two goals) and Nick Mende were again outstanding. James Charge, Cameron Horner and Lachlan Taylor kicked two apiece for Olinda while David Noorda and Callum Beattie did their best.

Healesville will now tackle Woori Yallock in the preliminary final at Yarra Glen next Saturday.

Meanwhile, Wandin’s stunning finals form continued this week when, just a week after running over the top of Olinda Ferny Creek in the qualifying final, it demolished minor premiers Woori Yallock to book the first berth in the grand final.

Wandin bigman Robbie Ross was one of the Bulldogs’ best. Picture: Stuart Milligan

The Bulldogs were all over Woori, from a five-goal first quarter until the final siren, before saluting 16.16 (112) to 3.6 (24) in a second semi-final whitewash.

Key forward Justin Van Unen built on last week’s three-goal final quarter against the Bloods by booting eight goals to be named best afield.

Robbie Ross and Sam Wettenhall booted two apiece to supplement Van Unen’s haul while Rohan Heasley joined Van Unen and Ross as the three best Bulldogs on the day.