Pigeons prevail in a two-point classic

It was a big build up for the Saturday afternoon clash with the unfurling of the 2023 premiership flag plus the naming of the Glenn Brear Scoreboard, which took place prior to the first bounce.

The Pigeons got off to a flyer kicking four of the first five goals of the match. Michael Gibbons, Will Robinson, Bailey Frauenfelder and Harry Wheeler all hit the scoreboard to set up a handy early margin for the home team.

It was looking as if the Pigeons would put the game to bed early, with total dominance all over the ground and on the scoreboard and the lead stretching out to 21 points at halftime. Gibbons and Frauenfelder were providing big headaches for the Magpies defence with their clever forward craft whilst Lach Howe, Willie Wheeler, Harry Wheeler and Perry Lewis-Smith were on top in the first half.

With their top three aspirations on the line, the Magpies knew they had to throw everything they had at the Pigeons in the second half to avoid a winless start to the 2024 season. Superstar of the competition Callum Moore loomed as a big threat as he clicked into gear in danger signs for Yarrawonga. The key forward was winning crucial contests in the air and on the ground as his team mounted a comeback.

Remarkably, the Pies kicked seven goals to the Pigeons’ one in the third quarter which saw them take a 14-point leading into the final change. The Pies midfielders in Clarke and Federico were also key instigators in the visitors’ resurgence.

With all the momentum with Wangaratta, the Pigeons needed someone to step up and help shift it back their way. Captain Harry Wheeler stood tall as he snapped from long range to reduce the margin. Jordan Urquhart then marked on the wing, however was awarded a 50m penalty which brought him within range from the set shot. With poise, Urquhart guided it through and it was back to a two-point ball game. And when big man Matt Casey crumbed a loose ball in the goal square to kick another, the Pigeons looked the goods as they regained the lead.

But as we had come to expect in this game, there were still plenty of twists and turns to come. Wangaratta’s Moore took a mark 40m out, hemmed up on the boundary line, only to boot through another for his team as the lead changed once again. A short time later, Michael Newton marked in the goal square to stretch Wangaratta’s lead.

Ryan Einsporn, still running on top of the ground late into the last quarter, was able to find separation from his opponent to snap a crucial goal on his left boot to keep the Pigeons within arm’s reach. With less than five minutes on the clock, debutant Lewis-Smith marked in-front of the Pascoe Ellis stand and was knocked down with a late bump from the Pies player – resulting in a 50m penalty. Lewis-Smith with ultimate poise steered it through and the lead was back with Yarrawonga.

Wangaratta however, playing right through to the end, were able to link up with handball through the middle of the ground to catch the Pigeons off guard with a running goal to O’Keefe in the dying moments.

Enter Lewis-Smith. A rushed ball forward from big man Lach Howe was collected by Lewis-Smith as he was running off-balance towards the boundary line. The Mornington recruit incredibly snapped through the goal in epic scenes at the JC Lowe Oval as teammates rushed from all over the ground to celebrate. However, there was still a job to be done.

Crucially, from the centre bounce, Matt Casey roadblocked the Magpies from entering inside 50 with a brilliant tackle which was correctly awarded. The big key forward then followed up with two game saving marks from long down-the-line kicks as the Magpies had one last roll of the dice to win the game. As Casey marked, the siren sounded in one of the best victories the club has seen.

Reserves

Yarrawonga 2.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.1.37

Wangaratta 2.1, 6.2, 7.4, 8.8.56

Yarrawonga 6.1.37 defeated by Wangaratta 8.8.56

Goalkickers: Daniel Clarke, Reid Clarke, Matthew Grinter, Jess Koopman, Tyler Lovell, Brad O’Connor.

Best: Jess Koopman, Jack O’Dwyer, Lochie Forge, David O’Dwyer, Tyler Bonat, Jack Robinson.

The Yarrawonga Reserves have gone down by 19 points to the Magpies in the first game at the JC Lowe Oval in 2024. The Pigeons were keen to put in a strong showing against the undefeated Magpies in front of their home crowd. The Pigeons were putting great tackle pressure and were strong in the contest as they were matching it with the Pies early.

Jess Koopman, Dave O’Dwyer, Lochie Forge and Tyler Bonat were getting their hands on the football through the middle of the ground. Up forward, Dan Clarke and Brock McCabe turned in strong performances, eager to compete in the front half for the Pigeons. Meanwhile, down back Cory Pearn, Jack O’Dwyer and Cam Tregenza were resolute in their efforts throughout the day.

The Pies proving a shade too strong for Yarrawonga coming away with a 19-point victory.

Thirds

Yarrawonga 4.5.29 defeated by Wangaratta 10.12.72

Goalkickers: Jack Eales 3, Mitchell Parker 1.

Best: Jack Eales, Lucas Eales, Oliver Watson, Mitchell Parker, Zac Forge, Charlie Lappin

Under 16s

Yarrawonga 6.6.42 defeated by North Albury 13.10.88

Goalkickers: Lucas Tonna 2, Archie Skehan, Cam Stephens, Isiah Benson, Kasey Magro.

Best: Connor McCarty, Archie Skehan, Mitch Tyson, Maxwell Vodusek, Isaiah Benson, Lucas Tonna.

Perfect conditions greeted the visitors to Bunton Park. Pre-game the coaches asked for a continued improvement and the boys delivered. They ran in numbers, tackled and pressured their more fancied opponents.

The back six repelled several advances early. Archie Jaques was reading the play and made a few key intercepts. Allen Lindrea showed dash, Lucas Kaine gets more confident each week and Max Vodusek is fearless in his attack on the ball. Declan Wood and Lach Wren shared ruck duties, jumping at the ball and following up at ground level. Archie Skehan and Connor McCarty gave some grunt in the midfield. Mitch Tyson was everywhere, fending off and running forward with pace. Tyler Clarkson and Coop Webster found space on the wings.

Up forward, Lucas Tonna was back to his elusive best and split the goals twice. Jace Gove is another forward growing in confidence. The team battled bravely to hold a slender lead at the last break, only to be overrun in the finish. We welcomed Isiah ‘Boof’ Benson from Cobram for a run. Thanks also to U4 boys Jack Ibrahim and Declan Reeves for doubling up and allowing rotations from the bench.

Under 14s

Yarrawonga 4.3.27 defeated North Albury 2.6.18

Goalkickers: Billy Stevens 2, Declan Reeves, Darcy Skehan.

Best: Harry Wren, Jackson Maxted, Ted Brear, Tate Thomson, Billy Stevens, Darcy Skehan

It was a perfect day for football at Bunton Park and our U14s were going in having not had a win for the season and were ready to take the challenge to the home team.

Our boys started strong and looked like they would gain control, only to fall slightly behind at the halftime break. Aided by some poor kicking at goals by the opposition we were able to work off a strong defence and hit the scoreboard ourselves. Darcy Skehan let fly with a shot from just inside the 50m that found its way to the goal mouth and registered a major. This gave our boys a real sense that we could get the win.

There were some very impressive individual efforts throughout the game that culminated in an ever-improving team performance. Well done to the boys, we have good base to work with and will keep improving as we move further into the season.

Under 12s

Yarrawonga defeated North Albury

Goals: Angus Looby 2, Zeke Small, Oscar Leary, Harper Buckingham.

Awards: Charlie Bourke, Roley Brear, Ryder Briffa, Finnin George.

Following a fantastic day for the club on Saturday, which saw an outstanding seniors match, an Auskick game at half time, Ladies Day on the Green and the first ever YFNC Masters match, our junior boys headed to North Albury, keen to continue the momentum.

Our midfielders got their hands on the ball first, getting Yarrawonga off to an early lead. North Albury had opportunities to score but our backline kept sending the ball back down the ground, taking an 11-point lead into the first break.

The Pigeons continued to battle for the ball in the second quarter. They tackled well and were able to add another goal to the board thanks to a selfless handball assist, to lead by 15 points at the main break.

North Albury came out firing in the third quarter kicking three goals to our one. The ball barely reached our forward 50 and our young Pigeons learned a hard lesson on the importance of manning up.

With the game in the balance, Yarrawonga stepped up and showed terrific effort and teamwork in the last quarter. There were tackles all over the ground and courageous marks taken by our young footballers. With seconds to go, the footy was in front of the North Albury goal. Yarrawonga were strong enough to shut down any opportunities for North and came away winners on the day. Go Pigeons!