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woori yallock fcHerald Sun |

FINALS giant Woori Yallock claimed its biggest victim yesterday when it pulled off the upset of the year in the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League Division 1 preliminary final.

 

Coming off wins over Emerald and Belgrave, the Tigers stunned overwhelming favourite Wandin by 10 points, 14.11 (95) to 13.7 (85), to book a spot in Saturday's grand final against Upwey Tecoma.

Woori coach Danny Ryan, who is unsure whether he will play on next season, said the win was a good day for football.

"We're pretty happy and we put a lot of planning in to it. It was one of those days where everything just worked out and everyone played their role," Ryan said.

"It's a really good day for our club especially the coaching staff. We've copped flack with things we've done, our style and the players we've played but we do it because we haven't got a team full of stars.

"And today is a good indication we're doing things right because we're into a grand final and anything can happen now."

The Tigers led at every change in a contest which ebbed and flowed and were able to play their game style on the Gembrook ground.

It was a day to forget for Wandin century goalkicker Michael Fowkes.

He gave away a 100m penalty to Woori opponent Mitch Bonuda in the first quarter, then a string of free kicks before he was yellow carded in the third term.

Bonuda won best-player accolades for nullifying Fowkes, who kicked just two goals.

"Mitch's impact was huge. We got wind during the week that Fowkes had a strain and we knew Mitch could run all day," Ryan said.

"It was always going to be a good thing and it gave Mitch license to run.

"Mitch and Michael Witkowski are some of the best backmen I've ever played with.

"Our back six were incredible."

Tiger Hayden Smith led the way with four goals, while Ben Monkhorst kicked three on return from Box Hill's development side.

Ben Wratten and Adam Oxley kicked four goals apiece for Wandin

While Woori's hopes of back-to-back flags are well and truly alive, it's back to the drawing board for the Bulldogs.

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