AFL Yarra Ranges: Woori Yallock holds off Healesville to earn a spot in the Division 1 grand final against Wandin

Woori Yallock booked a shot at Wandin in the AFL Yarra Ranges Division 1 grand final after seeing-off a gallant Healesville in the preliminary final at Yarra Glen on Saturday.

Woori Yallock booked a shot at Wandin in the AFL Yarra Ranges Division 1 grand final after seeing-off a gallant Healesville in the preliminary final at Yarra Glen on Saturday.

The minor premier seemed hell bent on atoning for defeat at the hands of the Bulldogs in last week’s second semi-final when it hammered seven goals in the opening quarter and six in the second to take a seemingly unassailable 53-point lead at the half.

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Healesville's Jaden McGrath and Simon Gordon do battle with Woori Yallock's Luke Boontjes. Picture: Josie Hayden

But Healesville had been playing elimination finals for a couple of months and last roll of the dice has become the norm. A five-goal-to-one third term stemmed the flow and edged Healesville back to within four goals at the final change of ends.

The Bloods were not quite ready to close the book on season 2018.

Healesville had its chances to narrow the gap even further in the final term but missed shots at crucial times derailed its late fightback.

Woori Yallock coach Barry McDonald drilled a set shot from 30m out as the clock ticked down to 26 minutes before Jordy Williams followed soon after to stamp the Tigers passports for this week’s season decider. Though Kokwam Niki kicked a great goal for the Bloods in the dying minutes to give a hint of what might have been, the Tigers saluted 18.10 (118) to 14.14 (98).

Woori Yallock's Ethan Clasby scraps with Healseville's Kokwam Niki. Picture: Josie Hayden

Ultimately the effort Healesville had spent in fighting off Mount Evelyn and Monbulk for a seat at the post-season table and then stunning finals wins over Upwey Tecoma and Olinda Ferny Creek took a heavy toll.

Jake Matthews (four) and Williams (three) bankrolled the Tigers win while Callum French and Robert Allen were in everything.

Nick Mende was inspirational for Healesville and, gathering a truckload of possessions, was best-afield. Jake Roe-Duggan booted four and Nikki three while Alex Fraraccio and Luke Barclay can hold their heads high.

McDonald praised his side’s resolve to bounce back after last week’s hefty loss to Wandin, the week off for finishing on top of the ladder not always a good thing.

“Momentum is an important thing at this time of year,” he said. “To start the way we did after the week we had the week before says a lot for the character of the group. During the week we changed things up a bit, tried to enjoy it more. The week off can be a long time to think about things.

“They (Wandin) got hold of us so yesterday showed that we’ve got a lot of resilience, the maturity of some of the younger guys.

“Being out on a big ground I think the boys enjoyed that, certainly our leg speed shone out.”

Wandin and Woori Yallock meet in the season decider at Yarra Glen on Friday.

Woori Yallock's Shane Kennedy marks in front of Healesville's Jaden McGrath Picture: Josie Hayden