Leader News |
GEMBROOK Cockatoo coach Travis Marsham says his side is better placed than in its past two campaigns to break a Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League premiership drought stretching more than 25 years.
The Brookers, who have lost the past two grand finals, finished the home-and-away season on top of the ladder and now enjoy a week off before chasing their first Division 1 flag since 1986.
In 2010, Gembrook finished the season in second place and went on to lose the decider to Woori Yallock.
Last year the Brookers scraped in to fifth place and again reached the grand final but were defeated by Upwey Tecoma.
Marsham hopes it will be a case of third time lucky.
"This year we're in a better position by far," he said. "We're more consistent and better performed. We've followed two different paths to the grand final and the guys now know what it takes."
The Brookers wrapped up the minor premiership with an 11.9 (75) to 6.5 (41) win over Monbulk and Marsham said club historians couldn't recall the last time the club had won 15 games in Division 1.
Gembrook will regain assistant coach David Main for the September 8 second semi-final.
Woori Yallock (56 points) finished second, five games clear of Wandin (36), Upwey Tecoma (34) and Monbulk (32). The Hawks edged out Warburton Millgrove and Mount Evelyn on percentage to claim fifth place and the last finals spot.
Woori Yallock takes on Wandin in a qualifying-final clash on Saturday, while Upwey Tecoma and Monbulk clash in the elimination final.
Woori Yallock, which rested six of its senior players, edged out Olinda Ferny Creek, 16.12 (108) to 16.8 (104). Daniel Lewis booted five goals to claim the division's goalkicking award with 68.
Upwey Tecoma was too strong for Warburton Millgrove, 23.16 (154) to 14.12 (96), while Emerald ended its campaign on a high when it upset Wandin, 10.13 (73) to 6.12 (48).
And Healesville, will be relegated to Division 2 next season after losing to Mount Evelyn, 13.13 (91) to 11.11 (77), on Saturday.
Damian Cupido booted seven goals for the Rovers to finish the season with 55 goals from 11 matches.
In Division 2 finals on Sunday, Yarra Glen took on Seville while Powelltown faced Alexandra.