AFL Yarra Ranges: Woori Yallock applies sustained pressure to get the better of Upwey Tecoma
Woori Yallock strengthened its position in the top three when it won a test of strength against finals rival Upwey Tecoma at the Woori Yallock Reserve on Saturday.
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Woori Yallock strengthened its position in the top three when it won a test of strength against finals rival Upwey Tecoma at the Woori Yallock Reserve on Saturday.
The Tigers, of the Woori Yallock variety, held sway for most of the afternoon before saluting 16.14 (110) to 8.8 (56) in a crucial second v third tussle.
Woori remains second, percentage behind Olinda Ferny Creek, one of three teams with an 8-3 record, while Upwey, now 7-4, drops to fifth.
Woori Yallock coach Barry McDonald said his side had set itself for an improved showing against Upwey Tecoma after losing the previous encounter between the two by nine points at Upwey back in round two.
Sustained four-quarter pressure across all lines and all 22 playing from the same playbook proved instrumental in the win, the coach said.
“It was such an even spread (of contributors),” he said. “We had a couple bob up and do things when needed but when you’ve got 22 guys all playing their role you give yourself a big chance.”
While much of the round was played in the rain and mud of a typical winter’s day, the good condition of the Tigers’ home ground helped them kick 16 goals and give their percentage a handy kickalong.
“It was actually dry at our ground on Saturday,” McDonald said. “It’s in really good shape at the moment, it was a bit wet early on but then dried out.
“We’re loving playing at our ground at the moment.”
Woori had a few players make their return from injury, best-afield Zach Monkhorst and McDonald himself, and the coach said the experienced personnel coming back, combined with the great improvement shown by the club’s younger players, made a big difference.
“We had a couple of weeks there where we were struggling, and that was probably when the young guys played their first games,” he said. “But youth learns its lessons quickly and we’ve just been asking them to contest and provide pressure.
“They’ve had to roll up their sleeves and, as we say, ‘earn their stripes’.”
After a week off for the bye, Woori Yallock will make a testing trip to Wandin and McDonald said the break would give a few of his injured players the perfect opportunity to freshen up.
Meanwhile, ladder-leading Olinda Ferny Creek did as was expected and took care of bottom side Belgrave, 14.24 (108) to 6.12 (48) with Mitchell Wright and James Charge kicking three goals apiece while the efforts of Sean Atkinson and Callum Beattie bankrolled the win.
Wandin went from fourth to third with an 8.18 (66) to 6.5 (41) win at Monbulk, John Ladner putting in another top shelf game for the Bulldogs.
Healesville continued its recent climb, going to fourth with a comfortable 16.23 (119) to 6.8 (44) win at home against Warburton Millgrove with Jaden McGrath kicking five goals .
And Mount Evelyn (sixth) is just a game adrift of the top five after a 15.13 (103) to 6.13 (49) win over Emerald.
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