Awards: TNR Transportables – HL Building Solutions Pty Ltd (Ampol Fuel Voucher): Ben Douglass, Attwood Builders (Yarrawonga Hotel Voucher): Shaun Clyne, Crop Smart (Bunnings Voucher): Nathan Beasley, Tradie Packs (Pre-Mix King Voucher): Dean Briffa, Ferious Pigeon Award: Mike McDonald, Yarrawonga Osteopath (Heat Pack): Mike McDonald.
Special Mention: Reeves, Mikey.
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The Yarrawonga Masters travelled to Wodonga on the weekend for the North East Gather Round, with sunny and warm conditions setting the scene for a hard-fought day of Masters footy.
The opening game saw the GV Giants take on the Murray Crays, with a number of players from both sides backing up in the second match to help out Yarrawonga and the Emus, a terrific example of the spirit that makes Masters football what it is.
Yarrawonga’s preparations were slightly disrupted before the bounce, losing three players on the trip over due to reasons still unknown, but as always, the Pigeons found a way to get the job done.
Lloydy, King, Shrek and Big Willy from the Murray Crays, along with Sav from the GV Giants, lent a hand by pulling on the Yarrawonga colours for the clash.
Their support was greatly appreciated and highlighted the camaraderie shared across all clubs.
The game itself was played in hot conditions, and the Emus were super-efficient in front of goal all day, making the most of their opportunities and keeping the pressure on from start to finish.
The first quarter was an even contest; with both sides trading blows early.
Yarrawonga lifted in the second term to claw back momentum and hit the front, before a tight and contested third quarter kept everyone guessing.
The final term went goal for goal in an entertaining finish, with the Pigeons holding strong when it mattered most.
In the end, Yarrawonga came away with a hard-fought 10-point victory.
Briifa led the way up forward with three goals, while Scotty and Gatty each added two majors. Longy was a dominant target all day, clunking everything that came his way. Beaso continued his strong form with another solid performance through the middle, while Benny Douglass was solid as a rock in defence and held the backline together after driving over from Traralgon that morning.
A special mention goes to Magic Mike in his first game for the Pigeons. It was an eventful day for Mikey, who drove from Traralgon to Wodonga that morning, was solid throughout, and despite pinging a calf, still managed to take home both the Ferious Pigeon Award and the Heat Pack Award for post-game recovery.
The day wrapped up with awards presentations for both matches, plenty of laughs and plenty of sore bodies, just the way Masters football should be.
A big thank you to the Murray Crays for organising and hosting another terrific Gather Round.
The Masters now look forward to their next big home game against the GV Giants on Ladies Day, which is always a very big occasion for the Yarrawonga Football Netball Club.
