Progression is the key to success and Gembrook Cockatoo seems to be unlocking it.
After a strong six weeks of football in Outer East Premier, the Brookers have finally got some reward for their efforts, grinding out a scrappy 9.5(59) to 7.14(56) victory at home against finals contender Monbulk in round 10.
The Hawks controlled the first half, extending their nine-point quarter time buffer to 16 points at the main break.
Gembrook regrouped and settled at halftime because the Brookers came out firing in the third.
A massive flurry saw the hosts boot the first three goals of the second half in lightning-quick succession.
Jacob Goicoa got the run started by goaling off a step, before the following centre clearance found its way into the mits of Michael Firrito.
Firrito then went back and slotted his set shot for two in a minute.
In the next passage of play, the ball shortly came out onto the wing before Gembrook won it back and sent it inside 50.
Patrick Snoxell went back with the flight and courageously somehow reeled in the footy.
His goal gave the Brookers the lead and filled the side with supreme confidence.
From there, both teams managed a major before the end of the term, as Gembrook now sat a point in front at the final change.
The fourth term was back-and-forth with neither side able to wrestle the momentum off the other.
Another quick pair of Brookers goals had them back on the high side after Monbulk majored early in the period.
Following the Hawks snatching back the lead, Firrito once again showed his pure class.
At the back of the pack, he stood tall to haul in a contested grab.
He nailed his set shot from 30 metres to swing Gembrook back into the lead late in the term.
As the game wound down, Monbulk had a shot to break Brookers hearts yet again this season, but the kick faded wide and Gembrook got over the line by three points.
“Not gonna lie, it felt great,” senior playing coach Firrito said of winning a close game.
“It was great to see them (the Brookers) get a bit of reward for their effort.
“They’ve been super, the ladder probably doesn’t justify where we’re at.
“Hopefully we get a lot of confidence out of this one.
“It’s been pleasing that we’ve been competitive, really pleasing efforts and we’re slowly getting better so hopefully this establishes a lot of confidence in the group to go upwards and onwards from here.”
After some close losses with some of the league’s best sides, the resilience and fight Gembrook has shown has been extremely impressive for an outfit filled with young and emerging talent.
But this time, the Brookers were on the other side of the score and immediately jumped two places on the Premier ladder.
“The boys have been working really hard for a while now and footy is a bit of a cruel game sometimes,” Firrito admitted after the trend of recent narrow defeats.
“I think just playing to our strengths has been good and we’re trying to have some little wins along the way.
“We’ve improved in a lot of areas, but it’s just about stopping those lapses.
“We’re still quite a young side but it’s been really promising just to see not only real good footballers, but guys like Josh Tilly, Aaron Firrito and Patty Snoxell just their leadership in tight games and being able to stand up.
“We’ve lost our fair share of close games but it was good to be on the right end of it, but it comes through experiences and those tight losses have taught us a few things.
“Sometimes the hard losses are the best lessons.
“We’ve been narrowing our game down and we’ve had little wins along the way and hopefully it can start to result in some success.”
Coming out slow has been an issue that has held back the Brookers in their losses.
Last week’s 11-point defeat to Healesville came after Gembrook trailed 38-7 at quarter time.
This week was no different, but Firrito’s men were able to overcome the slow start and get rolling in the second half.
“Our starts have been a bit of a concern,” he said.
“We wanted to make concerted efforts and make sure at three quarter time we were within striking distance.
“We know we can score pretty quick when we want to, it’s just about getting the right balance of attack and defence.
“They’re growing in confidence but a couple of wins will help hopefully see them blossom.
“We’re excited for the second half of the year, we want to make it really fun and enjoyable.
“The competition is so even, who knows what could happen but for now we’re enjoying improving and being competitive and now hopefully seeing some wins string together.”
At Olinda Recreation Reserve, the Bloods were far too good for Officer in an intriguing clash.
An eight-to-one goal first term in favour of Olinda Ferny Creek saw the hosts jump out to a scorching start, before the Kangaroos levelled for the remainder of the game.
However, the damage was done early and it was always going to be an uphill battle from there as the Bloods cruised to a 16.13(109) to 13.7(85) win.
Francis Seal booted four goals for Olinda Ferny Creek, while Diesel De Santis, Mark Seedsman and Brent Moloney all kicked three majors each for Officer.
Emerald never got going at home against Woori Yallock, falling 7.3(45) to 16.12(108).
Taylor Gibson was up to his old tricks, bagging five goals to lead the Tigers.
A strong effort from Mount Evelyn didn’t shake Wandin as the Bulldogs barked at home to grab the 17.15(117) to 9.10(64) triumph.
The dynamic duo for Wandin was back as Aaron Mullett booted six goals and Joel Garner managed three.
Healesville went to Upwey Tecoma and had its kicking boots on, nailing 18.4(112) to dismantle the Tigers 12.10(82).
Tyler Barclay slotted five majors and Jeremy Newsome and Tristan Van Driel both booted three.
In round 11, a titanic matchup of Wandin and Woori Yallock will take place in the Tigers’ backyard, Healesville hosts Emerald, Gembrook Cockatoo travels to Mount Evelyn, Officer welcomes Upwey Tecoma to town and Monbulk will do battle with Olinda Ferny Creek at home.
