Mark Whiley literally flies as he takes a mark on the forward 50 in the Pigeons gritty 23 point win against the North Albury Hoppers.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
Yarrawonga 3.2, 5.5, 8.8, 9.10.64.
North Albury 1.4, 3.6, 4.10, 5.11.41.
Goals: Yarrawonga: Nick Fothergill 3, Matt Casey 2, Leigh Williams 2, Mark Whiley 1, Tim Lawrence 1.
North Albury: Nathan Dennis 2, Josh Minogue 2, Ryan Polkinghorne 1.
Best: Yarrawonga: William Wheeler, Mark Whiley, Lach Howe, Jordan Urquhart, Harrison Wheeler, Bailey Frauenfelder.
North Albury: Jack King, Kade Brown, Fletcher Ramage, Jack Penny, Jack Reynolds, Joshua Minogue.
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Although being ladder leaders, Yarrawonga had a hard-fought match on its hands last Saturday as they were challenged by the seventh placed spirited North Albury Hoppers.
The Pigeons were in charge all day but were not able to do anything easy as the Hoppers made the match a hard slog.
The Yarrawonga Pigeons have been able to hold off a gallant North Albury at the JC Lowe Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Willie Wheeler looks to get a handball away as he is tackled by Hoppers captain George Godde.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
The much-improved Hoppers had come off a four-game winning streak and were primed to serve it up to the Pigeons who were first up off the bye.
The Pigeons got off to a fast start with Matt Casey goaling within the first 20 seconds of the game. The visitors were able to answer quickly through Josh Minogue however the Pigeons held the momentum heading into the first change with two late goals to Leigh Williams to round out the quarter.
The second quarter proved to be an even contest all over the ground with both teams having their fair share of looks on goal.
For the Pigeons, it was the class of Mark Whiley and Nick Fothergill who found the big sticks whilst Dennis and Minogue booted through goals for the Hoppers.
Captain Leigh Masters was enjoying a strong game across half back, taking a number of intercept marks which Pigeons fans have become accustomed to.
Ned Pendergast was also playing a solid game, controlling the air with his strong set of hands.
Nick Fothergill flies high for a contested mark in the forward line before lining up to kick one of his three goals.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
The Pigeons were able to edge clear of the Hoppers in the third term, booting through three goals to one.
Nick Fothergill continues his brilliant run of form as he continues to hit the scoreboard. Fothergill kicked two goals in the third quarter which took his total to three for the day.
In a slogging affair, both teams battled it out strongly right until the final siren. The Pigeons with just too much class which proved to be the difference between the two teams in the end.
Yarrawonga will now turn their attention to arguably the most important game of the year against the in-form Wangaratta Magpies.
A win would see the Pigeons put a two-game gap on the third placed Magpies and could potentially get them close to securing a double chance as we head into the back end of the year.
Leigh Williams uses his height to take a contested mark in front of several eager Hoppers.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
Stats: Mark Whiley 29, Leigh Masters 27, Bailey Frauenfelder 21, Ned Pendergast 21, Willie Wheeler 21.
17 Callum Moore (Wang), Josh Mathey (Wod) and Nick Fothergill (Yarra).
Reserves
Yarrawonga 23.15.153 def North Albury 2.1.13.
The Yarrawonga Pigeons have notched up their biggest victory of the year, dominating North Albury to win by 140 points at the JC Lowe Oval.
Pigeon Royalty Marc Lonergan made his return to the JC Lowe Oval and slotted into the line-up beautifully taking intercept marks before moving up forward.
The Pigeons had winners on every line of the ground. Max Hemphill was dominant forward of centre as he looks to make a strong impression in a bid to return to the senior team.
Hemphill was one of the Pigeons better players for the day, ending up with five goals to his name.
Will Robinson and Tom McKimmie both knocked up gathering possessions throughout the four quarters.
The pair set up a large portion of the Pigeons goals through smart ball use.
Jobe Kennedy is beginning to find his feet as he works his way into the season nicely. Kennedy booted through three goals in a solid display.
The Pigeons did what they needed to do, running away big winners on Saturday afternoon.
Goals: M.Hemphill 5, J Kennedy 3, D Walsh-Hall 3, L Congram 2, C Ednie 2, T McKimmie 2, R Clarke 1, B Black 1, C Frauenfelder 1, N Gorman 1, M Lonergan 1, W Robinson 1.
Best: Will Robinson, Max Hemphill, Matt Dwyer, Tom McKimmie, Brady Black, Reid Clarke.
Thirds
Yarrawonga 2.2, 3.2, 4.3, 7.4.46.
North Albury 0.2, 1.5, 5.5, 11.6.72.
Goals: Yarrawonga: Lachlan Phillips 4, Jack Eales 2, Taj Smith 1.
North Albury: Jackson Carey 6, Alexander Tremonti 2, Delaney Emerson 1, Luke Frohling 1, Thomas Lieschke 1.
Best: Yarrawonga: Lachlan Phillips, Mitch Loughnan, Mitchell Parker, Samuel Bigger, Blake Keenes, Jack Eales.
North Albury: Jackson Carey, Cooper McIntosh, James Webb, Connor Hetherton, Marty Norman.
Pigeons Loft
Round 11 was another successful one for the Pigeons with 5 out of the 8 teams securing victories.
Our seniors netballers proved too strong on the court whilst our juniors were yet again gallant in defeat.
A big congratulations to Laura Davis who played her 150th club game. A fantastic netballer who comes from a fantastic family, we are lucky to have Laura back at the Pigeons!
On the football field, it was a tough, contested affair in the seniors with North Albury showing how much they have improved since we last met in round 2.
The milestones were celebrated with Tim Lawrence notching up 50 senior games whilst Pigeon superstar Beau Seymour played his 150th senior game.
Beau has given his heart and soul to the football club over a long period of time with himself admitting it hasn’t always been smooth sailing.
“Box” has played in senior and reserve premierships and will go down as one of the finest servants the club has had. Great effort, Box!
The Reserves proved far too strong whilst the Thirds were edged out by the Hoppers.
The Pigeons will travel to Norm Minns Oval to take on the Wangaratta Magpies this weekend which always proves to be a great contest.
Off the field, the Pigeons are looking forward to a Trivia Night to be held at the clubrooms this Saturday night.
Do you fancy yourself as a trivia buff? Gather some mates and get in contact with our Facebook to secure your ticket! Cash prizes are to be won!
YFNC gate raffle
The winner of the Past Player's gate raffle for July 1 is Barbara Mathieson of Mulwala with Ticket 26361. Congratulations Barb!
We take this opportunity to thank our major partners: ClubMulwala, Kennedy Builders, Belmores, BETR, Blum, Yarrawonga Holiday Park, Yarrawonga Hotel and Yield Finance for their support.
