Yarrawonga 2.5, 4.9, 8.11, 8.14.62
Wodonga 3.1, 4.2, 6.2, 7.3.45.
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GOALS: Yarrawonga: Leigh Williams 5, Brandon Symes, Harry Wheeler, Bailey Frauenfelder 1
Wodonga: Josh Clayton 2, Ethan Redcliffe 2, Isaac Cassidy 1, Gus Jones 1, Jordan Taylor 1.
BEST: Yarrawonga: Lach Howe, William Wheeler, Leigh Masters, Harrison Wheeler, Leigh Williams, Logan Morey.
Wodonga: Josh Clayton, Angus Baker, Charlie Morrison, Noah Bradshaw, Joshua Mathey, Myles Jewell.
The Yarrawonga Pigeons have shown great poise and maturity late in the game to run out 17-point winners against a determined Wodonga Bulldogs outfit.
Boom goal-kicking recruit Leigh Williams donned the blue and white hoops for the first time after being sidelined with a nasty finger injury.
Williams immediately made a big impact booting 5 majors proving to be the difference between a win and a loss for the Pigeons.
Will Sexton has returned to the line-up after a stint with Balwyn FC. Sexton wasted no time getting into the thick of things as he looked at home gathering possessions on the JC Lowe Oval.
Murray Bushranger Caleb Mitchell debuted for the Pigeons and impressed onlookers as he was able to work his way into the game using his elite running and silky skills to his advantage.
The Pigeons were able to control possession throughout the middle stages of the game however a slight lack in connection heading inside fifty was keeping the eighth placed Bulldogs in the hunt.
With goals very hard to come by, Brandon Symes was able to mark strongly early in the second term to put through an important major for the Pigeons.
A costly 150m penalty late in the half occurred right in front of the YFNC corporate box proving costly for the Dogs however welcomed by the Pigeons.
Recipient Harry Wheeler slammed it through from the set shot and gave the Pigeons a 7-point lead at the main break.
Wheeler along with his brother Willie were excellent for the Pigeons covering the ground. The consistent duo is beginning to gel together nicely and are proving to be a handful for opposition teams.
Another man that is held in the highest regard within the four walls of the club is Lachie Howe. Howe has been instrumental for the Pigeons so far this year with his dominant ruck craft and tireless work rate.
The Bulldogs came out firing in second half, but their momentum was quickly stopped when Leigh Williams marked on the boundary line.
Williams went back and banged through his third with a brilliant check-side kick. Williams soon after was awarded a free kicked in the goal square and put through his fifth for the afternoon.
And when Bailey Frauenfelder freakishly marked 50 metres out and played on to slam through another 30 seconds later, the momentum was well and truly with the Pigeons.
With a handy lead of 22 points at the beginning of the final term, the Pigeons knew they had to play the game right out given last week's events.
The back six brigade took the lead this week, standing up in crucial moments to save multiple scoring attacks.
Leigh Masters who is yet to play a quiet game was outstanding with upwards of 30 disposals whilst Caleb Mitchell was everywhere in the final term. The pair looked to be on the same page as they were seen combining with each other numerous times.
With patience and poise, the Pigeons were able to control the final 10 minutes of the game to notch up their 4th win of the season and consolidate second position on the ladder.
Coach Mark Whiley impressed with the troops post-match and praised their ability to stay calm and composed in the final term which is something they had worked on during the week.
The Pigeons head to John Foord Oval on Sunday as they look to take on a much improved Corowa Rutherglen side.
Reserves
Yarrawonga 9.12.66 drew with Wodonga 10.6.66.
The Yarrawonga Reserves have narrowly escaped defeat with a goal in the final minute of the game from Jacob Adkins to steal a draw against the Wodonga Bulldogs.
So far this year, the Reserves have dominated the opening terms which has set them up well for the remainder of the game.
However, this week the Wodonga Bulldogs were the ones to dominate early. A four goal to one quarter in favour of the dogs immediately put the Pigeons on the back foot and forced them to play a game of catch up.
The challenge was set by coach Grinter for the boys to sharpen up and play their brand of football. A man-on-man style which has brought great results to this team in recent history.
Jacob Adkins gave a spark for the Pigeons in the second term, using his pace and foot skills. Adkins stringing together a full four quarter performance and was the Pigeons best for the day.
Jack Forge and Max Hemphill lifted their work rate and provided great drive as the Pigeons began to eat into the margin.
The half time siren may have come at the wrong time for the Pigeons as it halted their momentum somewhat.
The third term belonged to the Bulldogs as they were able to outscore the Pigeons due to a lack of discipline which occurred throughout the entire game.
Multiple 50 metre penalties cost the Pigeons dearly as the Dogs took a 13-point lead heading into the final term.
Trailing at the final change, it was up to the Pigeons to roll the dice and take the game on. Zec Cuppens and Jess Koopman sparked some life into the contest whilst Matt McCabe was looming dangerous up forward eventually ending up with four goals of his own.
5 points down with 50 seconds on the clock and Adkins was able to crumb a ball deep inside 50 and goal to level the scores.
The game being played out through stoppages with the Pigeons escaping with the two points.
Goals: Matt McCabe 4, Jacob Adkins 3, Reed Bonat 2.
Best: Reid Clarke, Zechariah Cuppens, Douglas Arnold, Max Hemphill, Cory Pearn, Jacob Adkins.
Thirds
Yarrawonga 12.10.82 defeated Wodonga 7.10.52.
The Yarrawonga Thirds have defeated the Wodonga Bulldogs by 30 points in a much-needed win at the JC Lowe Oval on Saturday.
It was a slow start from the Pigeons even after a fantastic pregame preparation.
With Mac Pendergast going down early in the contest after a shin clash, this gave Ethan ‘Sparky’ Burns an opportunity in the ruck and he was able to show his versatility and fitness shutting down the opposition ruckman until Pendergast returned.
In a game where coach Frauenfelder shuffled the magnets, he was able to find some versatility in amongst his playing group.
Hunter Surrey was shifted to the half back line and was able to generate excellent run and carry doing the job well.
Hunter Fraunfelder also showed he can play both ways with ease, booting 2 goals and then being moved to the backline cutting off many Bulldogs forward entries.
Tom Oliver had a Best on Ground performance as he was involved in everything, getting to every contest.
Oliver was well supported from Harry Nagle who doesn’t know how to take a backwards step.
Nagle continues to attack the ball in straight lines which has set a great example for his teammates.
Alex Doughty was a brilliant contributor for the day with 3 majors in his first game back after a stint on the sidelines whilst midfielders in Oscar Elliott, Dan Psaltaris and Connor Phibbs were creating plenty of play, linking up on many occasions.
Dan Psaltaris booted 3 majors whilst Phibbs kicked 2.
A fantastic team effort yet again for the thirds as they are still undermanned missing key personnel.
Key position players in Sam Hemphill and Jyda House are expected to return in the weeks to come which will give the boys an ever-bigger lift.
Goals: Dan Psaltiris 3, Axel Doherty 3, Connor Phibbs 2, Hunter Frauenfelder 2, Darby Pendergast, Hunter Surrey 1.
Best: Tom Oliver, Hunter Frauenfelder, Ethan Byrne, Oscar Elliott, Hunter Surrey, Harry Nagle.
Awards: Brendan Ryan (Wingates), Axel Doherty (Aerial Muscle), Connor Phibbs (Yarra Fish & Chips).
YFNC PAST Players Gate Raffle winner was Ticket 89018 - Pat Bye of Yarrawonga.
Yarrawonga Chronicle