AFL Yarra Ranges 2018: Mount Evelyn gets over Healesville to move to the brink of the five

Mount Evelyn has dragged itself to within percentage of the Division 1 top five after clawing its way to a win over its main rival, Healesville.

Mount Evelyn has dragged itself to within percentage of the Division 1 top five after clawing its way to a win over its main rival for the last remaining finals berth, Healesville.

And the Rovers line-up did it the hard way, playing out the game with just two on the bench after one player suffered concussion in the opening minutes and another a broken collar bone in the second quarter.

A glowing Mount coach, Mark Fisher, was having what he called a “pretty special Sunday” as he reflected on a 11.10 (76) to 7.12 (54) win.

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“They’ve got a couple of guys with 90-odd games of AFL experience between them and some big bodies,” he said. “When I looked at our guys running out, they looked like under-14s playing under-18s. We have about 12 that are 22 years and under and six of them were teenagers. But I couldn’t be prouder of the boys.

“With only two on the bench on a big ground I give credit to our strength and fitness coaches, we’re really fit at the moment.

“If they play like they did yesterday, they’ll give themselves every chance of playing finals football for the first time in about 10 years.

Mount Evelyn is pushing hard for a top-five finish. Picture: Andy Brownbill.

“There wouldn’t have been too many times in recent years where Mount Evelyn has beaten Healesville twice in a year.”

Robert Hartfield bankrolled the win with five goals while Jack Beamish, Daimon Kift and Callum Urquhart were all important.

Jack Nugent, Liam Daly and Shaun Donkin were best for the Bloods.

Meanwhile, Monbulk has kept its hopes of pinching a finals berth flickering when it scored one of the upsets of the season, a 13.8 (86) to 11.9 (75) win over Woori Yallock at home on Saturday.

The Hawks now trail Healesville and Mount Evelyn by just a game while Woori’s loss dumped it from top to third, one of four sides with a 10-4 record.

Justin Van Unen bagged 11 goals in Wandin’s 22.11 (143) to 13.8 (86) demolition of Belgrave, while Olinda Ferny Creek returned to the top of the ladder after a gritty 12.15 (87) to 8.11 (59) win at Emerald.

Upwey Tecoma (second) was too strong for Warburton Millgrove, 20.16 (136) to 10.8 (68), with Daniel Waters kicking seven for the Tigers to take his season tally to 75.

This week, Mount Evelyn is at home to Warburton Millgrove while Healesville makes the trip to Woori Yallock and Monbulk is at Upwey Tecoma.