Yarrawonga 14.6.90 def GV Giants 5.2.32.
Late Saturday afternoon after the senior side had accounted for the North Albury Hoppers, the Masters team, or as some label them, “Supa Fools” took to the oval for their 2nd match up with the Shepparton based GV Giants, in what was to be a great contest.
With the rain overnight and drizzle during the day, the JC Lowe Oval was a little greasy but still in good condition for the match.
With a few regular players unavailable for various reasons, the Masters were bolstered by the inclusions of Adrian Smith and Daz Clarke for their Masters debut, and both guys fitted in quite well into the fabric of the well knitted group.
The coaches address from Hawk and Stretch before the team ran out for the game was based on being accountable for themselves and each other, to support, give assistance and play to the best of each other’s abilities.
To also work on what they had been developing over the season with the 2 way run, and quick transition switch of play that has served well thus far.
The Masters also had the pleasure of 2 local champions of the area to officiate the game, Simon Rudd who is no stranger to the local football community once again offered his services and John Burns, aka Burnsy who chose to umpire the lads and rest his body instead of playing.
The Masters truly appreciate these fellas giving their time, as without them, there is not a game with both doing an excellent job officiating the match.
From the 1st bounce, ruckman Stretch Kelly was able to give the midfielders 1st use of the ball, with Smithy and Briffa winning the ball at will and clearing it from the middle cleanly, hitting up the forwards with precision, then working through to assist resulted in both of them scoring a goal each in the very early part of the game.
The GV Giants made some positional changes to strengthen their backline and also went man on man in the centre which saw a newfound pressure put onto the Pigeons midfielders, which they relished, as the boys like to play in and under to win the ball. Enter Steve Tate, aka Tatey, from the GV Giants who rallied his boys and started reading the opposition ruckman’s taps and “sharked” one from the hands of the Masters lads to then put the GV boys into attack.
His enthusiasm sparked their side and all of a sudden the Pigeons backline came under the spotlight with multiple entries being thrust upon them.
In true form, the rock-solid backline made up of Gleeso, Douglas, Fozz, aka, the Godfather, H Kennedy, Stickers, or “Snickers” as he’s now known by, were able to gain control and drive the ball out via Simmo and Trent Russell.
The wingers worked hard together, Freestone on the flank linked with Clyne coming through the centre cleanly who with silky skills sent the ball long and Dodge was able to make great position and mark strongly, in turn putting it through the big sticks.
As the siren went for the end of the 1st quarter, the Pigeons held a strong 3 goal lead against the GV Giants.
The players were praised for the 1st quarter by Hawk and were reminded to continue the hard running and switch play, as it was working well. With a few fresh legs from the bench brought into the side, the Pigeons were met with a newly invigorated opposition. The Masters didn’t have the clear ball winning movements from the centre as they’d had in the 1st.
It became a very tight and hotly contested situation and skills dropped away with the added pressure from the opposition.
The team dug deep as the quarter went on and started to gel again.
Jonesy showed his footy smarts and presented well out of the back flank, even showing some fancy footwork to sidestep a couple of opposition players in front of the clubrooms, which saw many cheers from the crowd who had stayed on to watch the game unfold.
Blocka and Daz Clarke started to put their influence into the game and were able to link and supply Dodge another entry which in turn the big fella slotted truly.
With the ball now starting to flow again, it wasn’t long until the Pigeons put a few more goals on the board via Smithy and Longy, due to the hard work of Swampy and Luke Brennan.
As the end of the 2nd quarter neared, it was evident the game was showing a great contest between both teams, and although the Pigeons held a strong lead, the GV boys were playing a great brand of footy too.
The 3rd saw quick movement across the ground by both teams, a very even quarter, but Yarra continued to have the upper hand, with Longy adding another 2 goals to the scoreboard v the GV’s single goal for the quarter.
As the lights had come on, the ball at times was a bit harder to see and gave some players an added “challenge”, with a few players coming into contact with “friendly fire” as teammates collected each other whilst trying to win the ball for their respective club. “Muppet” from the GV Giants was one of those players, who after sustaining a heavy impact in a marking contest with another teammate, was able to dust himself off, bounce back into action and intercepted a Pigeons kick out of the backline sending the GV into attack again to register a goal for their side as noted above to end the 3rd quarter.
The 4th quarter saw the Pigeons regain the centre clearances again to result in 2 quick successive goals.
Dodge put another one away to make a tidy bag of 3 for the evening, then residential cult hero, Steve “the enforcer” Datson showed some great moves to gather a loose ball entry within the forward line, evade a couple of GV Giants to then snap himself a goal as well.
The GV boys not to be outdone, then won the next centre clearance and drove the ball deep into attack once again, but Hayden Kennedy was able to intercept again and transfer the ball out wide for Benny Douglass, who in turn linked with Briffa through the centre. The forwards presented and Longy put himself into a great position to mark and score again.
The last quarter was the best for the game, the backline was tight, the forwards were clean and worked for each other and the midfield lead the way over the 4 quarters.
Final score for the match was Yarrawonga 14. 6. 90 to GV Giants 5. 2. 32, although the final score does not reflect how hardly fought out the game was, the GV boys never gave in.
Goals: Longy 6, Smithy 3, Dodge 3, Briffa 1, Dato 1.
Better players for the Pigeons: Stretch, Longy, Gleeso, Smithy, Briffa and Fozz. Special mentions also to Jonesy, Hayden Kennedy, Dodge, Trent “the Muscle” Russell, Simmo and Benny Douglass.
Best player for the opposition named by Yarrawonga: No. 26 Dan Godsmart.
Best player for the opposition named by GV Giants: No. 59 Stretch Kelly.
Thank you to all the players kids that ran water during the game as well.
The players and partners enjoyed a BBQ tea and salads provided by the players and club, and a special treat of some slices that were whipped up by Stu “Stickers” Coster that were a hit with anyone with a sweet tooth.
The Masters would also like to once again, thank Sheridan the game day trainer for her assistance and the Masters sponsors, Attwood Builders, Pullar Cold Storage, Cobram Bolts, Stuart Simmons Yarrawonga, Noth East Osteo and Bounce Back Physio.
The last game for the season will be away in Echuca on September 7 against the EMU’s who the Masters played their maiden game against in round 1 which they look forward to ending the season with a clean sweep.