Senior Pigeon Zac Forge with the footy in hand, ready to make an impact.
Seniors
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Yarrawonga: 0.3, 1.8, 4.11, 10.14: 74
Wodonga Raiders: 0.1, 2.3, 2.4, 5.7: 37
Goals: Yarrawonga: N. Fothergill 3, Z. Fraser 2, C. Courtney, M. Findlay, W. Lutula, J. Urquhart, H. Wheeler.
Wodonga Raiders: W. Fordham, B. Jones, W. McCarty, B. Sheridan, M. Way.
Best: Yarrawonga: Z. Fraser, B. Keenes, L. Howe, N. Fothergill, H. Wheeler, J. Urquhart.
Wodonga Raiders: L. Waters, N. Bracher, W. Fordham, C. Howells, W. Robertson, B. St John.
In beautiful conditions at the JC Lowe Oval on Saturday afternoon, the Yarrawonga Pigeons closed out their 2025 campaign with a hard-fought win against the Wodonga Raiders.
The game itself was hardly one for the archives, with the opening half resembling a game of ping pong as the ball bounced from end to end and both sides struggled to convert possession into scoreboard impact.
Nick Irvine playing his 50th senior game for the Pigeons, in which was a winning effort.
Harry Wheeler set the tone early for the Pigeons with eight disposals and three clearances, giving his side some much needed drive out of the middle.
In defence, it was Blake Keenes and Ryan Bruce who held firm, each collecting eight disposals for the quarter.
Keenes impressed in his best senior game to date, finishing the day with 19 touches from full back.
Despite their efforts, neither side managed to register a goal in a scrappy and goalless opening term.
Yarrawonga began to find more of the football in the second quarter through Cam Wilson, who gathered nine disposals for the quarter.
Big man Lach Howe started to assert his dominance in the ruck and looked a class above, though the Pigeons’ inability to capitalise forward of centre continued to frustrate.
Just as the half-time siren approached, Max Findlay broke the drought with Yarrawonga’s first goal, keeping the margin tight and leaving the Pigeons trailing by a solitary point at the main break.
After a sluggish first half, the Pigeons finally clicked into gear.
They slammed home three unanswered goals in the third term through Nick Fothergill, Willy Lutula and Zac Fraser to swing momentum their way.
Matt McCabe was pivotal in the pinch-hit ruck role, applying four tackles for the quarter and keeping the pressure high as Yarrawonga took control heading into the final change.
With belief growing, the Pigeons put their foot down in the last quarter, piling on six goals to three to break the game open.
Nick Fothergill showcased his class, adding two more goals to finish with three majors and 23 disposals in a dominant performance.
Rising star Zac Fraser capped off a superb first senior season with two classy goals and a strong all-round display.
Harry Wheeler, Cooper Courtney and Jordan Urquhart also hit the scoreboard, sealing a spirited win to round out the year.
Rising star Zac Fraser was impressive for the Senior Pigeons, bagging two majors.
While 2025 proved to be a development year for Yarrawonga with plenty of opportunities handed to youngsters, the club will now set its sights on recruiting strongly in the off-season.
With the likely return of key stars such as Leigh Masters, Michael Gibbons and Bailey Frauenfelder in 2026, the Pigeons will be determined to surge back up the Ovens and Murray ladder and re-establish themselves as a force in the competition.
Reserves
Yarrawonga 10.4: 64 def by Wodonga Raiders 16.6: 102
The Yarrawonga Pigeons reserves closed out their 2025 season on Saturday with a spirited performance, highlighted by some standout individual displays.
Andrew Dickins was the star of the afternoon, making a remarkable return from a broken collarbone.
Just weeks after the setback, “Dicko” put on a show at full forward, booting seven goals and also pinch-hitting in the ruck.
His strong presence and impact in front of goal made him the clear best on ground.
Jack Eales shouldered much of the ruck workload and was everywhere across the ground, giving the Pigeons first use at stoppages and working tirelessly from contest to contest.
Alongside him, Brock McCabe played with trademark toughness, repeatedly putting his body on the line and winning hard ball in pressure moments.
Tom McKimmie was another who caught the eye, using his craft and composure with ball in hand to create opportunities for his teammates and help steady the side when needed.
While the season as a whole didn’t go the way Yarrawonga would have hoped, the effort and resilience shown in the final round points to plenty of optimism.
With greater player continuity and a settled list, the Pigeons remain confident they can climb back up the reserves ladder in 2026.
Goals: A. Dickins 6, T. McKimmie 2, J. Eales, S. Lawrence.
Best: A. Dickins, J. Eales, B. McCabe, T. McKimmie, D. Flanagan, C. Parish.
Thirds
Yarrawonga: 2.5, 2.6, 3.8, 5.8: 38
Wodonga Raiders: 1.2, 5.2, 6.6, 11.9: 75
Goals: Yarrawonga: J. Woodhead 2, A. Jacques, S. Lawerence, L. Wren.
Wodonga Raiders: B. Saunders 6, N. Andrews 2, R. Finnimore, J. McCracken, J. Tinkler.
Best: Yarrawonga: A. Jaques, A. Skehan, J. Ibbott, S. Bigger, J. Woodhead, T. Baxter.
Wodonga Raiders: A. Everett, R. Finnimore, B. Capper, H. Gray, T. Smith, B. Saunders.
11°C