Yarra Valley Water Match Report | Waverley spoil centenary party

By Ryan Long.

An Undermanned Waverley Blues kept their season alive with a crucial win on the road, spoiling Mulgrave’s centenary party.

The Blues were fantastic in Saturday Afternoon’s broadcast game against the Lions, winning in a shootout by twelve points, 17.10 112 to 15.10 100.

It was a special day for the Mulgrave Football Club, which celebrated its 100th year. Saturday’s game was played exactly 100 years and one day after the first official game, which was played in 1925.

As important as the day was for Mulgrave, the Waverley Blues were desperate to get back on the winners list after a disappointing start to the 2025 season, starting 1-3. They entered the clash without some of their key players including key target up forward Josh Williamson due to injury.

With Sam Hale another late out for the Blues, the opportunity at senior level was presented to Zachary Delahunty for his debut.

The first quarter played out like the last two occasions these clubs met with the Waverley Blues jumping the Lions out of the blocks, five goals to two in the opening term.

Ruckman Daniel Playsted was a key part of the side’s quick start to the game. The leading disposal getter in the first term also had 11 hitouts for the quarter to go with four clearances.

A second-quarter shootout saw a total of twelve goals kicked with Waverley’s margin cut back to a slender six-point lead. The Lions stars lifted in the term, Riley Voulanas with eight disposals for the quarter, Skipper Connor Tilyard with some important clearances and Fletcher Roberts booting three goals in the space of 15 minutes.

Kyle Viccars also came to life for the Waverley Blues in response, with six disposals and two goals keeping the Blues in front.

The second half continued in a back-and-forth matter with the Blues having a response every time Mulgrave looked likely to steal the lead.

Nathan Buzza is one of the heroes for the visitors, four goals up forward and constantly providing a spark for the Blues.

With the game on the line, the Lions had six more Inside 50s in the final quarter but were unable to capitalise.

The twelve-point victory for Waverley revived their season and moved them to 2-3. A gutsy win against the odds showed us what the young group is capable of.

Mulgrave now moves to 3 and 2 after their great start to the season, they now await Croydon who they fell short of in last year’s Preliminary Final.