OEFN Division 1: Ex-AFL Magpie Levi Greenwood blitzes to send Healesville into GF

A former Collingwood star ran rampant as Healesville unleashed a last-quarter onslaught to book a grand final berth in Outer East Division 1.

Levi Greenwood has been terrific for Healesville this season. Pic: Michael Klein

Healesville clicked into another gear to power away from Seville in Sunday’s OEFN Division 1 second semi-final.

Former North Melbourne and Collingwood star Levi Greenwood ignited the Bloods with a brilliant display in the last quarter after scores were level at three quarter-time.

Healesville kicked 7.5 to nil in a telling last 30 minutes to walk off convincing winners, 16.18 (114) to 10.7 (67).

The Bloods go straight through to the grand final, poised to win its first senior flag in eight years.

Greenwood kicked three goals and was in everything, willing himself to contest after contest when the game was on the line.

“He exerts himself into position where he can win the ball and it’s great to watch,” Healesville coach Ryan Webster said.

“Some of the boys get a lift off what he does. And he works in tandem with Nicko (Mende) in the centre and also Luke Potts.

“It’s handy to have someone of Levi’s ability.”

Nick Mende.

Liam Daly.

Healesville captain Mende was also outstanding, driven by deep motivation in his quest to get a premiership.

Heartbreakingly, Mende missed playing in Healesville’s flag in 2016 after tearing his hamstring in the preliminary final.

“That’s why he’s so determined to get the job done,” Webster said.

Seville had beaten Healesville twice this season and outplayed the Bloods in the third quarter on Sunday, kicking 5.3 to 2.4.

But Healesville sailed home with the breeze in the last term as Charlie Warren got a lot of the ball, Max Donegan popped up and kicked a couple, as did Tyler Barclay.

Bloods ruckmen Brandon Murphy and Jesse Bates worked beautifully in tandem, and Tennyson Amarant was terrific, finishing with three goals for the afternoon.

Liam Daly and Patty Murray were rock solid in the backline.

“It was an all round effort,” Webster said.

“There was no one who put us all on their shoulders and drove us forward, it was everyone chipping in and doing their job.”

Healesville has a week off to prepare for the grand final on Saturday, September 14.

Seville will look to bounce back against Warburton Millgrove in the preliminary final next weekend.

Healesville coach Ryan Wesbter. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Webster deflected suggestions his Bloods were warm favourites to win the flag.

“Don’t get me wrong, we’re lucky enough to be waiting there for whoever gets the job done next week,” he said.

“But in saying that both Warby and Seville are very, very good football sides.

“I suppose we maybe slight favourites because we’ve got the week off whereas those two teams have to play again but in saying that I reckon it will be a pretty even contest whoever we end up playing against.”

Healesville’s reserves also won through to the grand final while the club’s under-18s will contest a preliminary final this weekend.

“It’s massive for the club,’’ Webster said.

“If the under-18s win we’ll have all three sides in the grand final and that would be fantastic for the football club.”

Four current Healesville players played in the club’s 2016 flag — Daniel Plozza, was captain, Liam Daly, Jason Savage and Charlie Warren. Simon Gordon, who is the Bloods’ runner, was also part of that premiership.

“Everyone’s on the same page and we’re just really eager to get to Saturday week and give it our best shot and hopefully get the job done for the footy club,” Webster said.