Goals: Wangaratta: Callum Moore 7, Jessie Smith 3, Brad Melville 2, Ben Reid 2, Paddy Warner 2, Abraham Ankers 1, Michael Newton 1.
Yarrawonga: Leigh Williams 6, Tim Lawrence 3, Jess Koopman 2, Ryan Bruce 1, Kyal Tyson 1, Jackson Meade 1, Willie Wheeler 1.
Best: Wangaratta: Joe Richards, Callum Moore, Brad Melville, Hunter Gottschling, Chris Knowles, Luke Saunders.
Yarrawonga: Leigh Williams, Willie Wheeler, Leigh Masters, Jack Sexton, Ryan Einsporn, Kyal Tyson.
The Yarrawonga Pigeons have been defeated by 21 points at the hands of current premiership favourites in the Wangaratta Magpies.
In pristine conditions at the Norm Minns Oval, the Pigeons and Magpies both began well, with the home side booting through three majors to the visitors two in the opening quarter.
Jess Koopman registered the Pigeons first goal of the day as Leigh Williams was able to make an early impression on the scoreboard with his first of the day.
In an early blow for the Magpies, key defenders in Mark and Jamie Anderson both suffered game ending injuries, which forced a reshuffle of the magnets for coach Ben Reid.
With Jamie Anderson having the big role on the Pigeons’ Williams, this meant that Jackson Clarke of the Pies was moved onto the dangerous Williams for the second quarter.
The second term was a tale of two halves as both sides kicked five goals apiece in an action-packed quarter. Harry and Willie Wheeler were brilliant at the coalface whilst coach Mark Whiley was lively up forward.
Williams was let off the chain early in the quarter, booting through two goals in the space of 5 minutes to give the Pigeons the lead. Tim Lawrence then presented nicely inside fifty to mark and convert truly, extending the margin for the Pigeons.
The Pies were able to hit back at the 12-minute mark of the term through small forward Jessie Smith, however it was Yarrawonga who quickly fired back with two majors in an immediate response.
Williams kicked his fourth goal from long range whilst Willie Wheeler showed his class forward of centre, breaking away from the stoppage to produce a towering blow from fifty metres on the run.
Yarrawonga’s lead was short-lived, as the white-hot Pies began to fire up with four unanswered goals. Wangaratta’s forward line was working well as Ben Reid, Callum Moore and Jessie Smith all kicked majors seemingly every time the ball entered the Pies fifty.
At the main break, the Magpies held a 9-point lead over the Pigeons with both teams still looking as though they had plenty left in the locker for the second half.
Captain Leigh Masters was playing yet another strong game, leading all comers for the Pigeons with 12 disposals to the half whilst for the Pies, it was Joe Richards who was dominant, racking up 16 to half time.
It was goal for goal in the early stages of the third term. Ryan Bruce was held deep inside fifty and made no mistake whilst Abe Ankers and Michael Newton bobbed up to kick majors for the Pies.
The talented Kyal Tyson then soared above the back to take a stylish one-handed grab and boot through his second goal for the season to help the Pigeons stay within arm's reach of the Magpies.
Callum Moore yet again injected himself into the contest, booting through another as the Doug Strang Medal contest between himself and Williams was still in the balance.
A goal from the Magpies’ Warner pushed the margin out to 27-point before Williams was held in front of goal to cut back the margin to a manageable 20 points at three quarter time.
The Magpies, undermanned with no players left on the bench, began to pull away from the Pigeons in the last quarter. A costly turnover across half-back invited Ankers to swoop on a ball to then find a loose Brad Melville inside fifty. Melville, who arguably was best on ground at this stage, booted through his second of the day.
Callum Moore was proving a class above as he began to take the game completely away from Yarrawonga with some individual brilliance. A hat-trick of goals ignited the Magpies faithful as the lead grew to an ominous 46 points with plenty of time left to play.
In the remaining 20 minutes of the final quarter, Yarrawonga fought tooth and nail as the leaders of the Pigeons recognised the importance of playing the game out to its entirety. Koopman, Wheeler, Williams and Lawrence (2) all combined to boot five late goals to wind the margin right back.
Although the game was put to bed by the Pies early in the last, the Pigeons ability to play through to the final siren may just play a psychological role in the upcoming weeks, with the two sides looking destined to meet again in September.
Yarrawonga will take on the Albury Tigers in the Qualifying Final at the WJ Findlay Oval, Wangaratta on Saturday afternoon.
Stats: J Sexton 24, W Wheeler 21, L Masters 20, R Einsporn 18, H Wheeler 18, W Sexton 18.
Reserves
Wangaratta 5.8.38 defeated by Yarrawonga 13.12.90.
The Yarrawonga Reserves have tuned up nicely with a 52-point victory over the Wangaratta Magpies at the Norm Minns Oval on Saturday afternoon.
In a must-win game for the Magpies to claim fifth spot on the ladder and play finals, the Pigeons were strongly challenged up until half time with the home side having everything to play for.
However, the Pigeons were able to regroup at the half time break and completely overwhelm the Pies with great defensive pressure all over the ground.
Although kicking wayward with 5.9 in the second half, the Pigeons kept their opponents to just the 3 behinds which was the most pleasing aspect for coach Grinter.
Led by Jordan Urquhart who was moved down back in the second half, the Pigeons defence which included Cory Pearn, Sam Hemphill, Hayden Carwright and Judd Hooper all played their roles beautifully down back.
Leading the charge throughout the midfield was Connor Griffiths, who continues to string strong performances together at the pointy end of the season. Griffiths was well supported by Doug Arnold and Zec Cuppens who both found their fair share of the Sherrin across the day.
Alex Byrne also played a great role against a quality opposition ruckman.
Tyler Lovell, Jack Brooks, Ross Mulquiney and Max Hemphill combined for 8 goals between them and are all beginning to gel together at the right time as we approach September.
In a highlight for the day, Judd Hooper was thrown forward and managed to slot through a goal late in the final quarter on his 21st birthday.
With multiple inclusions still to return to the line-up, the Pigeons are looking in good shape to attack their qualifying final this weekend against the Wodonga Bulldogs.
After notching a win and a draw against the Dogs in their previous two bouts, the Pigeons will be looking to be at their very best in a bid to book a date with the Wangaratta Rovers the following week.
The YFNC would love to see as many supporters as possible at the WJ Findlay Oval on Saturday to help get the Pigeons Seniors and Reserves teams over the line.
Goals: Tyler Lovell 3, Jack Brooks, Ross Mulquiney 2, Zec Cuppens, Jack Forge, Connor Griffiths, Max Hemphill, Ned Pendergast, Judd Hooper 1.
Best: Jordan Urquhart, Douglas Arnold, Ross Mulquiney, Connor Griffiths, Reid Clarke, Alex Byrne.
Thirds
Wangaratta Magpies 10.13.72 defeated Yarrawonga 6.3.39.
The Yarrawonga Thirds have been defeated by 34-points by the Wangaratta Magpies in their final game of the season.
Facing the tough task against the third placed and finals bound Magpies, the Pigeons were brave and fought the game out right until the end, outscoring the Pies convincingly in the final quarter.
It has been a similar story for the Craig Frauenfelder coached team all season, just not quite being able to string the full four quarters together to pick up the victories they needed to secure a finals spot.
Throughout the season the Pigeons have been well served by multiple players. A number of players have shown great character by doubling up to play two games on a Saturday to assist the Reserves grade.
Captain Sam Hemphill, Oscar Elliot, Hunter Surrey and Hunter Frauenfelder have done this on several occasions and should be proud of their efforts.
With many of the current crop bottom age in season 2022, the YFNC is looking forward to continually working with these players as they progress through to the senior ranks.
Congratulations to Craig Frauenfelder and his coaching staff who have put countless hours into the development of the future of the YFNC.
Goals: Lochie Forge, Hunter Surrey 2, Jyda House, Connor Phibbs 1.
Best: Harry Nagle, Darby Pendergast, Noah Iddles, Hunter Surrey, Lochie Forge, Griffin Surrey.
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