Lincoln kicks first as Yarrawonga Masters start with win

By Yarrawonga Chronicle

Apr 23, 2024

**The inaugural Pigeons 35-plus Masters line-up that will compete in the Victoria Country league this year.**

Yarrawonga Pigeons 8.9.57 defeated Echuca-Moama United 3.5.23

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On Saturday afternoon, those in attendance at the JC Lowe Oval were able to witness history in the making when the newly formed Yarrawonga Masters football side made its highly anticipated debut against the Echuca-Moama United - affectionally known as the EMUs.

The Emus have been one of the mainstays within the Masters League for over 40 years, so it was fitting for the new boys to the competition be pitted against our rivals from downstream of the mighty Murray.

There was excitement and nervousness filling the changeroom as the players prepared, with co-coaches Shaun Hawking and Duane Kelly assuring the boys that it was a natural feeling to be anxious but to believe in each other and to play to the best of their abilities and the rest will work itself out.

Yarrawonga local Andrew Simmons, captain for the season, led the players out to showcase what “footy for fun” is all about. From the first bounce, the Emus were trying to show their dominance across the field, with the first centre break going their way and putting the Yarrawonga backline straight to work.

The backline - led by Dodge, Burnsy, Benny Douglass and Hayden Kennedy - were able to gain control and quickly move the ball out via Evan Gale and Ben Lawless and back into attack via the agile Jezza Orme and hard running Gubsy Oughton, Shaun Clyne and Phil Freestone.

With a strong centre-half-forward line of Hayden Long, Luke Brennan and Trent Russell it didn’t take long for the ball to be back within our forward area to make the first attempt on goal.

Our elusive forwards - Stu Coster, Chris ‘Swampy’ Lincoln and Dean Briffa - gave the boys plenty of options, and with Swampy timing his leads he was able to make great position and mark strongly, 35m out on a slight angle. He was able to go back and kick truly to register the first goal of the game, and etch his name into the history book.

With the midfield starting to take control, and Duane ‘Stretch’ Kelly getting on top in the ruck, the ball was quickly back into the hotspot for Longy to put on another goal.

**Steve Datson kicks upfield in the Pigeons Masters first-up win over Echuca.** Photo by Les_Garbutt

As the game started to open up, there was movement from the interchange allowing fresh legs with Dave Taylor, Wayne ‘Foz’ Foster, ‘Hawk’ Hawking, Trev ‘Happy’ Gilmour, Clint Nunn and Steve ‘Datto’ Datson all getting their opportunity. Crowd favourite ‘Datto’ wasted no time and kicked a great goal to see the Pigeons 3.1 lead to the Emus 0.1 at the end of the first quarter.

As the game evolved, there were great passages of play, with linking run and great ball use.

The Pigeons were able to use the skillsets of all players to our advantage and Briffa and Trent Russell both added individual goals, while Longy added another two in the third quarter.

A great team effort by all involved. Better players were Hayden Long, Ben Douglass, Gareth Oughton, Ben Lawless and Steve Datson. Thank you to our award sponsors Attwood Builders, Bounce Back Physio, Pullar Cold Storage and Cobram Bolts.