Best: Yarrawonga: Ryan Bruce, Bailey Frauenfelder, Connor Griffiths, Leigh Masters, Harry Wheeler, Nick Fothergill.
Myrtleford: Ryan Crisp, Ryley Sharp, Callum Crisp, Simon Curtis, Sam Martyn, Murray Waite.
The Yarrawonga Pigeons have defeated the Myrtleford Saints by 35 points in front of a packed crowd at the JC Lowe Oval last Saturday.
12 months ago, Yarrawonga were yet to register a victory across all three-football grades at the completion of round three. However, this year, the Pigeons have flipped those results on their head. The club now with eight victories and one loss across all football grades at the completion of round three - a remarkable turnaround.
The opening term against a slick Myrtleford outfit was a tight tussle with neither side being able to find the big sticks in the opening 22 minutes of the game.
This all changed when lively inclusion into the senior side Jacob Adkins, wearing his father Robbie’s number 32 who was a former Pigeon 100 game plus player, swooped on a loose ball inside fifty to set up the dangerous Bailey Frauenfelder who nailed the snap to kick the opening goal of the game.
Two minutes later after some persistent forward line pressure applied by Tim Lawrence, Jordan Urquhart pounced on the loose ball and slammed through the Pigeons’ second.
A late holding the ball free kick awarded to Myrtleford's Kurt Aylett meant a shot on goal after the siren, which reduced the Pigeons lead to just seven at the quarter time break.
Leigh Masters yet again dominated the opening term with 11 disposals whilst the two Ryan’s in Bruce and Einsporn were providing plenty of drive. Brayden Coburn, Harry Wheeler and Willie Wheeler were all busy early also.
Leigh Masters was once again in his sides best as he gets the ball away.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
The second term began well for Myrtleford, hitting the scoreboard first at the 6-minute mark however it was the Pigeons who would go on to dominate the remainder of the quarter. Jackson Meade showed a strong set of hands inside 50 whilst then selflessly offloading a ball to star recruit Nick Fothergill who goaled from the set shot.
Meade yet again presented beautifully and set sail from fifty metres out on a difficult angle to give the Pigeons two successive quick goals. A short time after, Adkins cleverly set up fellow livewire small forward Zec Cuppens and all of a sudden, Yarrawonga were piling on the goals.
Urquhart and Frauenfelder were both able to hit the scoreboard again, which capped a superb opening half of football for the Pigeons leading the Saints by 25 points at the main break.
The match up of Fothergill and Aylett was an intriguing one as the third term commenced. Fothergill rewarded a free kick with his fierce attack on the footy and nailed his second goal from the set shot whilst Aylett quickly replied with a snap at the opposite end a short time later.
However, the Pigeons’ Fothergill had the last laugh, pouncing on a loose ball inside 50 and showing his class with a left foot snap from 30 metres that sailed through. Lachie Howe, Brandon Symes and Jordan O’Dwyer were all playing pivotal roles as the game progressed.
Connor Griffiths especially showed outstanding composure with ball in hand at the defensive end whilst the Pigeons continued to march away, opening up a 38-point lead at the three-quarter time break.
The final term began with a bang for the Pigeons, with Bailey Frauenfelder sharking a wayward handpass from the Saints and slamming through his fourth major for the day.
Frauenfelder ended up having a day out, booting three final term goals, which gave him six for the game in a brilliant display. Frauenfelder’s ability to bounce back after being held quiet the week prior showed the maturity and development of the dynamic small forward.
Three goals apiece to each side in the final term meant the Pigeons ran out impressive 36-point winners. Yarrawonga’s ability to transition the ball from one end to the other with elite foot skills and work rate has been a real feature of their game throughout the first three rounds of the season.
Coach Mark Whiley led his side well in the Pigeons’ 35-point win against Myrtleford at the JC Lowe Oval on Saturday.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
Coach Mark Whiley lauding his sides efforts early in the season but recognises the challenges that lay ahead.
Yarrawonga now head to WJ Findlay Oval to take on an in-form, Daryn Cresswell coached Wangaratta Rovers in what is set to be an epic encounter with both teams setting their sights firmly on a top three finish in 2022.
Reserves
Yarrawonga 13.8.86 defeated Myrtleford 8.11.59.
The Yarrawonga Reserves have grinded out a 27-point victory against a much-improved Myrtleford outfit at the JC Lowe Oval on Saturday.
In a see sawing opening term, the Pigeons were able to hold a 6-point lead at the first change. Skill execution was an issue early with both teams turning the ball over in crucial areas on the ground. Xavier Leslie was busy as usual early along with long time seniors partner in crime Tyler Bonat who was gathering the Sherrin at will.
The Pigeons were able to improve on their first quarter efforts slightly as they opened up an 18-point buffer at the half time break. The consensus at the main break was that they were not helping each other out enough and needed to start playing some more team orientated football in order to achieve better results.
Tyler Bonat was the instigator in the second half for the Pigeons as he was able to gather possession and offload to Reid Clarke who found Leslie deep inside 50 in the opening seconds of the third term. Jack Forge along with Reed Bonat both lifted their work rates and were fantastic contributors throughout the day.
Scott Oswald began to find the footy whilst Max Hemphill was working his way into the game. A goal on the three-quarter time siren to Mack Hooper capped off the Pigeons best quarter for the day and were in control by 36-points heading into the final term.
Although the Pigeons were not overly impressed with how the game played out, they were still able to run out 27-point winners and gain the all-important four points, which was pleasing.
The Pigeons now face their toughest assignment to date, taking on the Wangaratta Rovers in which could potentially be an early finals preview from what we have seen so far.
Goals: Xav Leslie 4, Tyler Bonat 3, Max Hemphill 2, Ben Radford 2, Mac Hooper, Tyler Lovell.
Brilliant team football has shone through for the Under 18s in their big win over the Myrtleford Saints on ANZAC round.
Against a much taller Myrtleford, the Pigeons knew they had to bring fierce tackling pressure to cause spillages all over the ground. A four goal to two first term set things up greatly for the Pigeons and they never looked back.
The boys were able to consistently keep the scoreboard ticking over and never allow the Saints into the contest.
Mac Pendergast was setting a great example for his teammates all day giving away height to the opposition ruckman however, he was still able to provide the Pigeons midfielders first use of the footy. The Hunter’s up forward in Surrey and Frauenfelder were causing big headaches for the Saints’ defence, clunking marks and converting their efforts in a great display of forward craft.
Oscar Elliot was in and under every pack releasing his runners on the outside and creating a stack of play through the midfield.
The midfield group of the Psaltaris twins, Lachy Forge, Noah Iddles and Griffin Surrey were all tackling ferociously and making a contest every time their ball was in the area.
Down back, Harry Nagle was impenetrable, stopping everything that came across his path whilst he had great support in Ethan Burns who was always reliable to mop up anything that could get through.
A fantastic game to watch whilst Coach Frauenfelder was largely impressed with his troops as they were even praised by the umpires for their discipline throughout the day. Great signs for the future for the YFNC.
Goals: Hunter Surrey 4, Hunter Frauenfelder 3, Oscar Elliott 2, Connor Phibbs 2, Jack James, Lochie Forge, Daniel Psaltiris, Mac Pendergast.
Best: Hunter Surrey, Harry Nagle, Noah Iddles, Oscar Elliott, Hunter Frauenfelder, Daniel Psaltiras.
Awards: Hunter Surrey (Wingates), Ethan Byrne (Aerial Muscle), Daniel Psaltiris (Yarra Fish & Chips).
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