By Justin Schwarze
The bravery and fight from Gembrook Cockatoo this season has been impressive despite just being edged out by Woori Yallock in round seven of the Outer East Premier Division.
The Brookers have been on the receiving end of a pair of fourth quarter heartbreakers and unfortunately for Michael Firrito’s men, this week followed the trend.
Woori Yallock got a massive boost of confidence with superstar key forward Taylor Gibson returning to action.
His presence was felt immediately, getting taken high and going back to slot the first of the game.
Gembrook was then ignited by unlikely goalkicker Brayden Weller, corralling a handball from Aaron Firrito before nailing a checkside that bounced home.
The Brookers made it back-to-back goals through a stroke of fortune as the footy was deflected into Brodie Atkins’ hands and he quickly snapped around the body.
A very kind bounce cleared the last line of Tigers defenders before sneaking home.
As the first term drew to a close, Robin Nahas took advantage of a poor lapse from the Woori Yallock defence, intercepting a kick-in before drilling home his set shot to put his side in front 3.3(21) to 1.4(10) at quarter time.
The visitors were dominant and got the game on their terms in the second, but inaccuracy in front of goal plagued them as they failed to take advantage.
To add to the detriment of the misses piling up, Gembrook launched a rebound against the flow of play from a kick-in, blisteringly moving the ball from full back to half forward in three kicks.
Jason Bova’s effort was outstanding, bringing the ball to ground despite being outnumbered by two Tiger defenders.
This allowed Brad Frater to pounce on the loose footy, scooping it up in stride before arching the back and breaking a desperate lunging tackle.
Frater took a couple more steps and slotted the goal, with Bova the first to embrace him in the celebrations.
With the halftime siren lingering, it seemed Woori Yallock would go goalless in the second, with eight behinds to its name for the term.
However, Aaron Firrito attempted to fend off Mitchell Arnold in the Tigers’ forward 50, but Arnold stuck his tackle and was rewarded for holding the ball.
He guided his set shot home, trimming the margin at halftime to a slender 4.3(27) to 2.12(24) Brookers lead.
The hosts were on song to open the third, with Michael Firrito reeling in a big pack grab and goaling to extend the difference back to nine points.
But ultimately the third belonged to the visitors, with the Woori Yallock forwards finally kicking straight, booting four goals from a further six scoring shots.
The solution: find Taylor Gibson.
A strong overhead mark set up his first for the quarter, inspiring four unanswered from his side.
The Tigers had wrestled back the lead going into the final term, sitting at 6.6(42) to 6.14(50).
The hosts took the recipe from the third, grabbing a quick major early in the last quarter off the boot of Joseph Verna.
From there, Woori Yallock kicked four of the next five to put the game to bed.
A late goal from the Brookers wasn’t enough to spark a last-minute rally, as the visitors claimed a 10.8(68) to 10.17(77) scalp.
Nahas was masterful in defeat, collecting 41 disposals, 36 of which were kicks, and booting a pair of goals.
Gibson didn’t miss a beat, notching a bag of five majors while Angus Smith had 32 possessions and four marks for the Tigers.
At Rob Porter Reserve, Officer was no match for Wandin, getting rolled by 83 points in a scoreline that read 3.6(24) to 15.17(107).
Aaron Mullett booted seven goals, while Mark Seedsman was responsible for two of the Kangaroos’ three majors.
Emerald’s scoring issues arose again as the Bombers were smashed by Monbulk 15.10(100) to 2.5(17).
The midfield again was strong, but around the ground the Hawks were impressive and imposing as Emerald went goalless in the first half.
Olinda Ferny Creek rode its scorching run of form to comfortably down Healesville 20.9(129) to 9.6(60).
Lachlan Taylor and Ned Ford both booted four goals each, leading the Bloods to second on the ladder.
There was no winner at Upwey Tecoma with the Tigers and Mount Evelyn sharing the points.
A late Spencer Richards-West goal brought the scores level and the game ended on square terms at 12.7(79) apiece.
The hosts were uplifted by Richards-West’s six majors and Jai Sheehan’s performance of 46 disposals, nine marks and five tackles.
In round eight, Upwey Tecoma visits Emerald, Mount Evelyn hosts Monbulk, Officer travels to face Healesville, Wandin welcomes Gembrook Cockatoo to town and Woori Yallock will line up with Olinda Ferny Creek in the Tigers’ backyard.
