Pigeons break 9-year hoodoo in epic

Goals: Yarrawonga: Nicholas Fothergill 4, Leigh Williams 3, Bailey Frauenfelder, Jess Koopman, Tim Lawrence, Jackson Meade, Mark Whiley 1.

Albury: Jacob Conlan 5, Jeff Garlett 3, Riley Bice 2, Isaac McGrath 1.

Best: Yarrawonga: Nicholas Fothergill, Lach Howe, Jack Sexton, Leigh Masters, Mark Whiley, Matthew Holgate.

Albury: Riley Bice, Lachlan Taylor-Nugent, Lucas Conlan, Jacob Conlan, Isaac McGrath, Ben Kelly.

The Yarrawonga Pigeons have prevailed in an extraordinary game of Ovens and Murray football at the JC Lowe Oval on Saturday afternoon.

On a day where the Pigeons would celebrate their 2012 premiership, the highly anticipated contest between the two powerhouse clubs lived up to all expectations, with the Pigeons incredibly picking themselves up off the canvas to kick three late goals in as many minutes to steal a famous victory over the gallant Tigers.

As expected, the opening minutes of the game began in true Yarrawonga - Albury fashion. Fast and frenetic football with players from both sides throwing themselves into the contest right from the opening bounce.

Nick Fothergill immediately entrenched himself into the contest, kick-starting proceedings for the Pigeons after being rewarded with a high free kick and converting truly after only 90-seconds of game time.

Albury hit back swiftly however with superstars in Miles and Duncan combining with class to find Garlett inside fifty, who banged through his first of the day.

The Pigeons and Tigers were both able to kick their second goals through Jackson Meade and Jacob Conlan respectively, however, after dominating possession and time in forward half, the Pigeons failed to capitalize on the scoreboard.

Six behinds in the opening quarter proved frustrating for the home side as they squandered multiple gettable opportunities in front of the big sticks.

The midfield battle was hotly contested early. Nick Fothergill and Harry Wheeler were working like a well-oiled machine for the Pigeons despite the latter copping some close checking from the Tigers’ Harry Cameron.

Anthony Miles was leading the charge for Albury, finding plenty of the football and giving his team a stack of drive.

Albury took things up a notch in the second quarter with some brilliant end to end plays combined with supreme efficiency heading inside fifty. Two goals to the dangerous Jacob Conlan and a goal to Riley Bice silenced the home crowd as the deficit grew to an ominous 17-points at the main break.

The Pigeons had their fair share of chances, however lacked cohesion in the forward half, failing to register a major in the term. Luke Conlan of the Tigers had the measure of superstar forward Leigh Williams in the first half with that match up looking as though it could be the difference between the two teams.

Leigh Masters was yet again playing an influential game for the Pigeons with four intercept marks whilst Jack Sexton worked into the game nicely with great run and carry off half back.

An unfortunate injury to Bye of the Tigers proved enormous in the context of the game, as Pigeon big man Lach Howe began to take control and own the stoppages late in the half. Howe’s impact on the contest grew immensely as the game progressed as he looked likely to stamp his authority in the second half and have a big say on the result.

Yarrawonga were first to strike in the second half as Willie Wheeler scrambled a ball forward off his boot which landed in Williams’ lap, just what the star forward needed as he went back and kicked truly.

A reply from McGrath of the Tigers was quickly responded to by the Pigeons small forward brigade. Bailey Frauenfelder, quiet in the first half, pounced on a loose ball inside fifty to produce the perfect opportunist goal.

Minutes later, small forward counterpart Tim Lawrence replicated Fraunfelder, swooping on a loose ball in the goal square after Williams crashed the packed to kick through another.

The third goal in the five-minute purple patch went to Jess Koopman, who sliced and diced his way through the Tigers defence to snap brilliantly on his left foot and in the blink of an eye, the Pigeons only trailed by 1-point, and it was game on.

With the Pigeon premiership players from 2012 beginning to find their voice, Nick Fothergill showed incredible stoppage craft to snap through another on his left as a huge cheer came across the JC Lowe Oval as the Pigeons had hit the front.

A costly error from the Pigeon defence gifted Albury a quick reply and as the siren sounded for three quarter time, the scores were all locked up at 51 a-piece. Players and supporters took the chance to take a deep breath as they prepared for a classic final quarter showdown between the two archrivals.

The all-important first goal of the final term went the way of the Pigeons and Fothergill had put together some sort of game at this stage.

A major foot/ankle injury to Albury coach Anthony Miles occurred just as Fothergill snapped through his third major. The devastating injury for the Tigers leader halted play for five minutes as the stretcher was called.

The break in play allowed Albury to reset and come out all guns blazing at the Pigeons. With limited rotations, the Tigers showed enormous spirit and even turned the game into their favour.

The final 15 minutes of the contest produced some of the most gripping country football you could possibly see.

Albury hit back strongly with back-to-back goals through Conlan and Garlett with the latter producing some individual brilliance as the Tigers hit the front.

Fothergill then yet again found space inside fifty to mark and convert his fourth for the afternoon as the scores were again locked up.

With 20 minutes elapsing in the final term, Albury remarkably shifted into overdrive as Jeff Garlett yet again produced some astonishing forward line magic, surging the ball forward with three individual efforts to give the Tigers back the lead.

Jacob Conlan then presented with a strong lead and a towering mark over Jye Cross at the 26th minute mark. Conlan nailed his fifth from the set shot as the Pigeons' hearts had sunk, now trailing by 10-points with the margin seemingly a bridge too far to peg back.

With 29 minutes gone on the JC Lowe scoreboard and only seconds remaining, it was Ryan Einsporn who emerged from the pack, still running on top of the ground. Einsporn surged a ball forward to Ryan Bruce who managed to scramble a ball inside fifty which landed fortuitously in the hands of Williams. Williams, with a cool head and ultimate poise, steered through and breathed life back into the contest.

It was a centre bounce to remember as Lach Howe placed the ball on a platter to a full steam ahead Willie Wheeler who launched one last roll of the dice inside fifty. Mark Whiley stood underneath it as two Albury players desperately lunged over the top.

The whistle was blown as Whiley had received a clear free kick for head high contact. The coach was now presented with a golden opportunity to win the game for his club. Whiley, from 45 metres out, guided it through as the Pigeon faithful erupted. From the depths of despair, the Pigeons were in front.

20 seconds remaining and it was the Wheeler brothers who stood tall at the centre bounce, winning the clearance for Pigeons.

Harry Wheeler drove the ball inside 50 one last time as Williams clunked one in front of Conlan. As Williams lines up, the siren sounds as the Pigeons pull off one of the more remarkable victories.

Williams kicks the goal and its pure jubilation for the Pigeons, their first win against Albury since the 2013 Grand Final.

Stats: J Sexton 27, W Wheeler 27, M Whiley 24, N Fothergill 21, L Masters 21, H Wheeler 21.

Reserves

Yarrawonga 8.13.61 defeated by Albury 10.6.66.

Albury have turned the tables on the Pigeons Reserves with a 5-point victory at the JC Lowe Oval.

Albury began smart early, booting through four quick goals to immediately put the Pigeons on the back foot. Will Haberacht of the Tigers was looming as a dangerous match up for the Pigeons.

Sam Hemphill, doubling up to play two games, played a fantastic role on the Albury big man, keeping him to just the two majors after the fast start.

Yarrawonga were beaten at stoppages for large parts of the first half. Albury provided a different dynamic with their fleet of foot midfield causing big headaches for the Pigeons. Connor Griffiths stood tall all day in the midfield for the Pigeons.

Griffiths ability to work from contest to contest is a feature of his game as he tends to find plenty of the football.

10-points in arrears at the main break and coach Grinter demanded the Pigeons to tighten up around the contest.

The move of Matt McCabe from defense to the forward line gave the Pigeons a spark early in the third term as they were able to hit back and briefly hit the lead. However, a lapse in concentration allowed Albury to quickly pile on four goals as they regained back control of the game.

Doug Arnold was working hard around the contest whilst Max Hemphill continued his strong run of form. Down back, it was Scott Oswald and Cory Pearn who remained solid, winning their respective match ups across the course of the day.

Trailing by 21-points at the final change, the Pigeons did not die wondering as they began to cut back the margin. Several positional changes breathed life into the game for Yarrawonga. In the drizzly rain, David O’Dwyer was doing everything he could to will the Pigeons over the line.

With all the momentum, the Pigeons had the final play of the game to potentially steal the victory however it was cut out by a determined Albury outfit.

The Pigeons will head to Wangaratta to take on the Magpies in the final home and away game of season 2022. With the Pies sitting in fifth on the ladder on equal points with Wodonga, the Pigeons could end the Pies season with a victory.

The Pigeons are looking forward to welcoming back a host of names which will bolster their line up including Leslie, Adkins and Brooks.

Goals: Ned Pendergast 2, Ross Mulquiney, Craig Frauenfelder, Cory Pearn, Connor Griffiths, Max Hemphill, Jack Forge 1.

Best: Scott Oswald, Connor Griffiths, Max Hemphill, Reid Clarke, Ned Pendergast, Cory Pearn.

Thirds

Yarrawonga 7.5.47 defeated by Albury 12.11.83.

The Yarrawonga Thirds have been overrun by the top of the table Albury Tigers in a spirited display on Saturday morning.

With a real focus on bringing intensity and aggression to the ladder leaders, the Pigeons put in a brilliant first half of football, serving it right up to the Tigers.

From the sidelines, it was glaringly obvious that the Pigeons boys had come out to play and were prepared to work hard for each other to get the result they wanted.

Harry Nagle, who has been brilliant all season, especially in the second half of the year, played a brilliant game for the Pigeons. His ability to compete in the air and on the ground is a real strength with his teammates loving how reliable he is.

Hudson Gillies yet again proved he can hit the scoreboard slotting through two majors whilst Hunter Frauenfelder put through two of his own.

Will Connell, somewhat a barometer for the team, was bringing great pressure and aggression. His teammates noticeably raised their efforts and spirits on the back of some of Connell’s one percent acts of desperation.

The power of Albury through the likes of Parnell and Sproule proved a little overwhelming for the Pigeons as the Tigers ran out 36-point victors.

Goals: Hudson Gillies 2, Hunter Frauenfelder 2, Connor Phibbs, Griffin Surrey, Hunter Surrey 1.

Best: Harry Nagle, Tom Oliver, Oscar Elliott, Hunter Frauenfelder, William Connell, Noah Iddles.