Pacy Pies pounce on Pigeons

Wangaratta Magpies 6.5 8.8 11.14 17.18 120

Goals: Yarrawonga: B. Symes 3, M. Casey 3, M. Gorman, X. Leslie. Wangaratta: M. Newton 5, L. Hourigan 2, J. McClounan 2, M. Hedin 2, B. Speight 2, W. Reilly, J. Porter, B. Melville, M. Grossman.

Best: Yarrawonga: T. McAuley, B. Seymour, B. Symes, W. Gorman, X. Leslie, H. Wheeler. Wangaratta: M. Bordignon, L. Morgan, B. Speight, M. Newton, M. Grossman, B. Melville.

Wangaratta Magpies proved far too good for the Pigeons at Mulwala on Sunday with a strong 61 point victory.

Too strong in defence, fast and assured in the middle of the ground and sure and effective in the forward line, the Magpies looked every bit of being flag favourites for the season. 

The Pigeons had their moments with a good period in the second and third quarters after the Pies had kicked six goals to one in the first quarter.

Tim McAuley was easily the Pigeons best where playing on the Magpies best forwards, he not only attacked strongly but was not beaten once on the day in individual contests with his opponent.

As the game progressed McAuley received good support from Beau Seymour and Scott Oswald. 

Young Alex Byrne, up from the Pigeon U18s playing his first senior game, deserves special mention for his performance rucking all day against experienced opposition.

Byrne displayed great courage and enthusiasm in a strong first up performance. 

The Gorman brothers Matt and Will worked very hard for the Pigeons along with Harry Wheeler.

These boys were strong four quaretr players but whilst they battled hard the Magpie running brigade were stronger in number and combined for longer to be winners on the day.

Matt Casey continues to play well each week in a number of positions, lets hope the Pigeon match committee can find a position for him to settle in and play a strong career for the Pigeons.

“Big Red” Brandon Symes is starting to run into some good form marking and kicking goals.

“Big Red” has been working around the clock so the club appreciate his effort to be available to play for the Pigeons.

Billy Andrew was very effective in the second and third quarters with good clean ball movement and the veteran Xav Leslie continues to win his own ball pushing the ball forward. 

Summing up, the Magpies are a very good team, ready to go and performing at their best.

The Pigeons have to learn from each outing.

Hard work and preparation will make the Pigeons far better as the season goes on.

Chronicle award: 5. Tim McAuley, 4. Matt Gorman, 3. Brandon Symes, 2. Matt Casey, 1. Wil Gorman. 

Reserves

Yarrawonga 8. 14. 62 defeated Wangaratta Magpies 1.10. 16.

Yarrawonga second 18 continued their winning ways with a hard fought win over a very competitive Wangaratta Magpies team. 

The game started as an arm wrestle of contested hard football with Yarrawonga kicking with the breeze and taking the early advantage. 

Hard nut, Mitch Collins-Bye, was instrumental in capitalizing on the good ruck work being done by David O’Dwyer and Damon Symes and getting the ball into dangerous forward positions.

Kayden Sharp produced another great game matched against an opponent with a lot of senior experience. 

He was well supported by Chris Wilson, Josh Tonna, Darcy Norman, Alex Kealy and Xavier Kennedy in the backline. 

These players have made themselves hard to play against and very hard to score against.

Davey Jones went into the middle of the ground to do what he does best and stop a damaging running player. 

Matthew Dwyer and Kyle Archibald played their first games for the year supporting Ross Mulquiney with great leadership for the younger players such as Josh Simm, Ronan Pritchard and Owen Conway to get confidence and knowledge from.

Timmy Lawerence continues his rich vein of form proving to be a very difficult matchup for opposition teams. 

Goals: Matt Tregenza 2, Timmy Lawerence 2, Isaac Byrne 1, Matthew Dwyer 1, Luke Congram, 1, Matthew Grinter 1.

Best: Kyle Archibald, Mitch Collins-Bye , Tim Lawrence, Matthew Dwyer, Davey Jones, Kayden Sharp.

Thirds

Yarrawonga 5.9. 39 drew with Wangaratta Magpies 6.3. 39

In a match shortened by a nasty injury to a Wangaratta player the thirds put in their best performance of the year.

Through the mid zone Ned Pendergast was outstanding. 

Brave and skilled, his work in close made him one of the most valuable players on the field. 

Up forward Jack Brooks, after a quiet couple of weeks, tried hard all day and worked himself into the ground.

However, the truest indication of the team’s performance was the evenness of the contribution all over the park. 

This week is the side’s first game at the JC Lowe Oval for 2019 versus a rejuvenated Myrtleford in what will be a key clash for ladder position.     

Goals: J. Brooks 2, M. Hemphill, N. Pendergast, C. Trembath

Best: J. Brooks, N. Pendergast, T. Hemphill, J. Meade, T. Whelan, F. Wallden.