Before the Ovens and Murray grand final this Sunday, the Yarrawonga Chronicle delves into the archives to revisit a premiership 20 years on; a drought-breaking flag that ended a 17-year wait, sealed by a freakish opening term against Myrtleford.
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After narrowly missing finals in 2005, Yarrawonga entered the new season determined to go all in and claim its third Ovens and Murray senior premiership.
Club stalwarts Xavier Leslie, Tyler Bonat, Ross Mulquiney, Simon Rudd and Marcus McMillan (pictured) reflect on how the Pigeons surged up the ladder to become a formidable force in 2006.
A key signing in Yarrawonga's resurgence was Tim Hargraves, who had spent the last few seasons at East Ringwood before returning to the Pigeons.
“Hargraves was huge, he could play games down forward without having to crash and bash in the midfield,” McMillan said.
Standing in Yarrawonga's way was Myrtleford, with the Saints entering 2006 after a heartbreaking grand final loss the previous year and still chasing a long-awaited premiership, their last coming in 1970.
The men from the Alpine Valley had the momentum coming into the season, while Yarrawonga was still building.
“Myrtleford were the favourites,” Leslie said.
“They had that knack of winning, so coming into that season I did not feel the pressure personally.”
Early-season wins against Myrtleford, North Albury and Corowa-Rutherglen showed the Pigeons were beginning to put pressure on the pre-season tipsters.
For a side that welcomed several recruits, head coach Bob Craig played a crucial role in bringing the group together.
Craig's experience extended beyond Yarrawonga, including a stint as Ovens and Murray interleague coach, and his ability to unite a diverse playing group was vital.
“I love Bobby. He was one of my first senior coaches, he had a fair bit of old school about him,” Leslie said.
“I think you've got to give a lot of credit to Bob Craig.
“We obviously had good players along each line, but there's probably a mixture of personalities and then youth and experienced players, so you've still got to be able to galvanise a group.”
While recruits attracted attention, Bonat said several players who worked behind the scenes were just as important to the Pigeons' success.
“Ross (Mulquiney), Phil Bourke, Scotty and Ross Oswald were key pillars that don't get enough credit,” Bonat said.
“We also had a really good backline too; it was a pretty experienced team all round.”
As the season progressed, a Yarrawonga-Myrtleford showdown appeared inevitable, with the Saints the only side to defeat the Pigeons during the season.
“They were hard and tough; Travis Hodgson got them to be a pretty good side,” McMillan said.
Yarrawonga's road to the premiership was not without its challenges.
A loss to Myrtleford in the major semi-final forced the Pigeons to regroup, with reigning premiers Lavington standing between them and a grand final berth.
Yarrawonga responded emphatically, defeating the Panthers by 70 points in the preliminary final at Wodonga to book its place in the decider.
Grand final week in Yarrawonga was something to behold, with the occasion carrying particular significance for Mulquiney.
“I was a young kid when Yarra won in '89,” Mulquiney said.
“Growing up on a farm, and seeing that was my first strong memory for footy as a kid.
“Then getting to play in one was pretty surreal.”
To top it off Craig Edine had capped off a stellar 2006 season winning the league Morris Medal showing sheer brilliance throughout the year.
What unfolded in the grand final was something of a freak of nature.
A 10-goal opening quarter, aided by a strong wind, propelled the Pigeons to a commanding lead and left the Saints chasing the game from the outset.
“That wind was impossible to play against,” McMillan said.
“So even if it got one over the back, they weren't going to stop it.”
Yarrawonga maintained control for the remainder of the contest, securing a memorable 33-point victory and finally breaking the club's 17-year premiership drought.
The 2006 triumph proved a major turning point in Yarrawonga's football history.
Since then, the Pigeons have featured in nine grand finals and added three more premierships, further cementing the club's place among the Ovens and Murray's modern-day powerhouses.