Outer East league: Healesville in party mode after ex-AFL star dominates grand final
A couple of ex-AFL stars turned it on as Healesville powered away with the Outer East league Division 1 premiership. SEE STORY AND PICS
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Healesville won its first premiership in eight years with a comprehensive 52-point triumph over Warburton Millgrove in Saturday’s Outer East league Division 1 grand final.
The Bloods led all day in front of a big crowd at Woori Yallock, with a three-goal-to-one first half setting up the club’s first flag since 2016, 9.9 (63) to 1.5 (11).
Former North Melbourne and Collingwood star Levi Greenwood won the medal for best-on-ground after inspiring Healesville with a dominant display in the midfield.
Ex-AFL Kangaroo and Tiger Aaron Edwards booted a game-high three goals for the winners.
Healesville coach Ryan Webster, in his second season at the helm, said the win capped an outstanding 15-3 season after the Bloods fell short in the preliminary final last year.
“It’s been a fun season, we knew what we had to do, we kept it simple,’’ he said.
“We made sure we got the job done, it’s a super effort because it’s been a long season and it’s not just the 22 blokes who ran out today. We had some heartache this week with some boys missing out. So this premiership is for everyone.’’
Edwards kicked two goals in the first half after Max Donegan drilled the opening goal of the match as Healesville made the most of the breeze early on.
Warburton Millgrove was scoreless until the 14 minute mark of the second when Thomas Marr finally put the Burras on the board with a set-shot goal.
Healesville led by 21 points at three quarter time, and then put the game to bed with a blistering five-goal final quarter.
The Bloods had one hand on the premiership cup when Jason Savage soccered a goal off the ground early in the last quarter to extend the lead to 28 points.
Warburton mounted one last charge, with Jack Farrugia running hot up forward but inaccuracy — he kicked three behinds — was costly.
Savage then took a strong mark and kicked the sealer, putting Healesville 33 points up.
Edwards followed up with his third goal to officially start Healesville’s celebrations.
The match was played in all weather, with equal parts rain, wind and blazing sunshine.
Greenwood unselfishly set up Luke Potts for a goal as the floodgates opened for the Bloods.
Defender Dale Senior joined the party, kicking his first goal of the season to extend the lead to 51 points.
Healesville co-captains Daniel Plozza and Nick Mende led from the front with terrific games, while Campbell Frazzetto, Shaun Donkin, Liam Daly and Tyler Barclay also impressed.
Meanwhile, Belgrave won the reserves grand final, beating Healesville 5.10 (40) to 3.5 (23). Matthew Crichton kicked two goals for the winners and captain Michael Sproules was best-on-ground, capping a big week after he won the league medal in the ressies.
In the under-18s, Mt Evelyn led throughout to beat Woori Yallock 7.6 (48) to 5.5 (35). Riley Jones slotted three goals for the winners.
MATCH DETAILS
Healesville 2.1, 3.2, 4.5, 9.9 (63) d Warburton Millgrove 0.0, 1.2, 1.2, 1.5 (11)
Goals:
Healesville: Aaron Edwards 3, Jason Savage 2, Max Donegan, Luke Potts, Dale Senior, Charlie Warren.
Warburton Millgrove: Tom Marr.
Best:
Healesville: Levi Greenwood, Jason Savage, Liam Daly, Aaron Edwards, Jesse Bates, Nick Mende
Warburton Millgrove: Tyson Henry, Tom Barr, Jack Lee, Thomas Baker, Thomas Marr, Ben Pretty
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