Outer East league Division 1: Healesville starts season with huge win over Powelltown

A former AFL high-flyer kicked 10.2 in Healesville’s 280-point drubbing, providing a glimpse of what’s to come for the Bloods in Outer East league Division 1.

Nick Mende was among Healesville’s best players on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Aaron Edwards kicked 10.2, including a “poster”.

Max Donegan slotted 10.1, impressing with his athleticism and pinpoint accuracy.

And Charlie Warren booted eight goals, including several snaps on his non-preferred left foot.

Healesville’s 280-point win over an undermanned Powelltown was a procession of sorts as a genuine flag contender flexed its muscles against a side just aiming to be competitive.

Healesville coach Ryan Webster said it was all about getting the processes in place, right from the start.

“We were obviously very good, we played very good football,” he said.

“Obviously we know Powelltown are unfortunately struggling a little bit but we wanted to make sure we tried to play our style of football and move the ball how we wanted to move it and get our structures right, get our set ups right.

“We were able to do that and nullify any influence Powelltown could have on the game.”

Healesville coach Ryan Webster. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Healesville’s win also contained a stack of other positives.

Marc Jones did a good job in tandem with Jesse Bates in the ruck against Powelltown champion and coach Ben Wratten.

Webster said Jones made strong progress last season and would “be even better this year playing in the ruck for us, he’s learning his craft more and more every week so he’s only going to improve”.

Ex-VFL captain Luke Potts impressed in his first game for Healesville, especially early in the game.

Jeremy Newsome was good off half back, even kicking a goal.

On debut, Liam Senti, 16, kicked three goals.

Patrick Murray impressed in his first-up game for the club and captain Nick Mende led from the front; he doesn’t get beaten one on one.

“Everyone played really well…our backline was really, really good,” Webster said.

“I could have put 22 blokes in the best.”

Healesville backs up quickly, hosting Warburton Millgrove on Anzac Day (Thursday, April 25, at 2.30pm).

In other games:

*A ruthless Belgrave outfit has feasted on Yarra Junction, kicking 12 goals in both halves to seal a 139-point win, 24.16 (160) to 2.9 (21). The Magpies had nine multiple goal kickers, with Zach Prizmic slotting four and Ryley Pentland and Nathan Power three apiece. Ben Holland, Daniel Ryan, Aaron Green and Chris Campbell were also named in the best.

*A blistering 5.0 to 1.3 opening quarter set up Alexandra’s 61-pont win over Warburton Millgrove, 15.12 (102) to 6.5 (41). Old Scotch recruit Josh Edwards capped a best-on-ground display, while Matthew Peric, Ben Cooper and Nick Meehan also starred.

*Seville kicked three goals-to-one in the last quarter to edge clear of Yea for a 42-point win, 11.16 (82) to 6.4 (40). Ryan Farrow was a strong target up forward with four goals for the Blues, while Jett Benninga, Bayley Sciortino and Nathan Thompson impressed. For Yea, Tom Wyllie, Josh Buxton and Harrison Jarvie were best.