AFL Yarra Ranges: Yarra Junction thumps Yarra Glen to earn a crack at Seville in the second semi-final

Yarra Junction has earned itself a shot at minor premiers Seville in this weekend’s AFL Yarra Ranges Division 2 second semi-final after a thumping win over Yarra Glen in the qualifying final.

Yarra Junction has earned itself a shot at minor premiers Seville in this weekend’s AFL Yarra Ranges Division 2 second semi-final after a thumping win over Yarra Glen in the qualifying final at Healesville on Sunday.

There was little in the clash all day, indeed the margin was just two points at the half and eight at the final change of ends, before a barnstorming six-goal final quarter saw the Eagles soar into the second week of finals, 13.7 (85) to 4.14 (38).

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Yarra Junction celebrates its qualifying final. Picture: Bethany Hutchison

Tyson Wheeler booted five goals to bankroll the win while Thomas Boxell and Kurt Robb both weighed in with three in support. Matthew Sword, Troy Armstrong and Bradley Clark earned the nod as Yarra Junction’s best three.

For the Thunder Adam Moate kicked three goals while Ben Ashton did his best to get the side over the line.

While the final margin may have suggested otherwise, Yarra Junction coach John Holmes said the two sides were pretty well matched for most of the game.

“It was a pretty tough contest to be honest,” he said. “They had a few opportunities early in last quarter, which they missed, and we just seemed to capitalise on ours a lot better and put scoreboard pressure on.”

As well as taking the Eagles through to the second week of finals in good shape, Holmes said the win ended a run of outs.

“It was definitely good to get one under our belts,” he said. “It’s been about five years since we won one. So it’s good to get the monkey off our backs.”

Holmes said taking on the minor premier would be a test this week but, given his side’s clean bill of health after Sunday’s clash, he was confident of a good showing.

“We’ll certainly start underdogs,” he said. “But we definitely give ourselves every chance.”

Meanwhile, in the elimination final, Gembrook Cockatoo ended Alexandra’s season when it scored a 13.19 (97) to 11.11 (77) win at Woori Yallock on Sunday.

Ex-League men Andrew Shipp (four goals) and Michael Firrito (two) had an influence while Dylan Scott earned the nod as best afield.

Seville and Yarra Junction will now clash in the second semi-final on Sunday, with the direct path to the grand final at stake, while Yarra Glen and Gembrook Cockatoo will meet in the cut throat first semi-final with the season over for the loser.

Division 2 Qualifying Final

Yarra Glen 0.4 4.5 4.13 4.14 (38)

Yarra Junction 2.1 5.2 7.3 13.7 (85)

YARRA GLEN Goal Kickers: A. Moate 3, R. Gurney Best Players: B. Ashton, A. Smith, R. D’’Argent, T. Russell, J. Marks, G. Filsell

YARRA JUNCTION Goal Kickers: T. Wheeler 5, K. Robb 3, T. Boxell 3, J. Holmes, S. Morton Best Players: M. Sword, T. Armstrong, B. Clark, T. Wheeler, C. Hoare, D. Brookes

Division 2 Elimination Final

Gembrook Cockatoo 3.4 8.7 11.11 13.19 (97)

Alexandra 2.3 5.6 8.10 11.11 (77)

GEMBROOK COCKATOO Goal Kickers: A. Shipp 4, P. Gramc 3, M. Firrito 2, M. Templeton 2, B. Jones, J. Gibson Best Players: D. Scott, M. Firrito, D. Welsh, A. Mitchell, A. Shipp, R. De Reus

ALEXANDRA Goal Kickers: S. Heveren 4, J. Steyger, S. Hill, B. Cooper, S. Steiner, J. Brereton, J. Daniel, B. Norris Best Players: D. Rouget, W. Goonan, S. Steiner, M. Coombs, B. Cooper, C. Heaslip