Pigeons pip Pies at the post

The Pigeons made a number of changes to their line-up which saw a trio of previous week Reserves players make their way into the team.

Will Robinson, Reid Clarke and Max Hemphill came into the side along with Dylan Conway who made his debut for the YFNC. Conway is a powerful former Williamstown forward who will be a great asset to the Pigeons moving forward.

The opening quarter saw the Magpies get off to a flyer with the opening two goals of the game within the first three minutes. Slick ball movement from the Pies early allowed Callum Moore and Matt Kelly to hit the scoreboard and get the home side off to the best possible start.

The Pigeons were able to settle quickly however, with Nick Fothergill oozing class with a superb left foot drop punt that split the middle of the big sticks from a tight angle.

As the wind began to pick up during the first term favouring the Pies’ end, Wangaratta were able to boot through a further two goals to the Pigeons one to give them a 13-point lead at the first change.

Kicking with the breeze in the second quarter, the Pigeons failed to make the most of the advantage, only managing to kick two goals.

Although not taking their chances on the scoreboard, the Pigeons clearly began to raise the right and started to compete at a strong level to match the Magpies around the contest.

Midfielders Cam Wilson and Harry Wheeler led the charge for visitors. The small but lionhearted duo took it right up to the Pies and set a clear example to the rest of their teammates that the Pigeons were here to play.

Heading into halftime trailing the Pies by 16-points, the Pigeons remained up-beat and confident that they could turn it around.

Knowing they would be against the wind in the third quarter, coach Steve Johnson just wanted his troops to give maximum effort in a bid to be within striking distance coming home with the wind in the final term.

A number of positional changes were made at the main break. One of note was the move of Bailey Frauenfelder to half forward in the second half.

“Basil” was clearly identified as one of the key threats to the Pies and copped close attention because of it. Frauenfelder was able to release the shackles in the second half and proved to stand up in the big crucial moments, one including a monstrous goal from 50 metres out.

Remarkably, against the heavy wind, the Pigeons showed enormous spirit to outscore the Pies in the third term.

Again, Cam Wilson was the catalyst and yet again had an impact on the scoreboard with two important goals in the quarter. Wilson, with his head over the football time and time again was rewarded with being first to the ball.

Big man Lach Howe was beginning to have a major impact on the game with not only his grunt work, but his ability to spread away from the contest from opposing big man Chris Knowles that stood out.

The big names of the Pigeons including Leigh Williams, Mark Whiley and Leigh Masters began to fire on all cylinders however there were also some brilliant contributions from a number of players in the blue and white hoops.

Ned Pendergast and Kyal Tyson were instrumental in their efforts in defence whilst Logan Morey and Ryan Bruce were working overtime through the wings and providing excellent aerial assistance.

At the beginning of the final quarter, the Pigeons trailed 13 points.

Little did anyone know that Yarrawonga were about to produce their best 10 minutes of football they have played all year.

An immediate clearance from Willie Wheeler bounced Williams’ way and the big forward snapped through the first of the last quarter in just 12 seconds.

The Pigeons then proceeded to kick a further four goals in just 10 minutes of play to incredibly lead the Pies by 19-points.

Williams booted three of the five whilst Frauenfelder and Will Robinson chimed in with crucial and crafty goals.

With plenty of time left on the clock, the Magpies knew they had to break the lines and take the game on.

Michael Newton of the Pies was the one to try and wrestle his team back into the contest as he stood tall and booted through two goals to trim back the margin to 7-points.

A further point from the Pies cut it back to a nervous one straight kick however it was that man Williams who would slide through a crucial point to push it back out to seven.

With 28-minutes elapsed, the Pies surged a ball forward to which small forward Jessie Smith pounced on and snapped through a miraculous goal on his left boot to cut it to just one-point.

With bodies flying everywhere, Yarrawonga were able to force a critical stoppage.

This would be enough as the siren sounded at Norm Minns with the Pigeons producing one of their finest efforts to overcome a strong Wangaratta Magpies.

Oakfm votes from Wangaratta v Yarrawonga: 5 Logan Morey, 4 Leigh Williams, 3 Cam Wilson, 2 Jackson Clarke (Wang), 1 Willie Wheeler

Player of Year Leaderboard

28 Willie Wheeler (Yarra).

26 Isaac Muller (Alb).

22 Sam Murray (Rov).

21 Daniel Sharrock (Wang).

Reserves

Wangaratta 1.0, 4.0, 4.2, 5.3.33.

Yarrawonga 0.4, 1.5, 3.5, 5.8.38.

The Yarrawonga Reserves have yet again come up trumps in another tight game, this time at the Norm Minns Oval.

In gloomy, slippery and windy conditions, the first quarter was as you would expect, a tight, low scoring affair.

Although kicking with the breeze, the Pigeons could only manage to kick the four points for the quarter whilst the Pies were able to register one major.

Jarryd Hatton began the game well in defence for the Pigeons, doing his best to repel opposition attacks whilst organising the troops further afield.

The second quarter belonged to the home team, as they began to kick away from the Pigeons with three goals to one.

For Yarrawonga to get back into the game, they needed a big lift from the midfield group who were down from their usual output in the first half.

Clearances were having a big say on the game and the Pies were well on top in this area.

Coach Matt Grinter also made it clear that they required all 21 players to give a big lift in their work rate as the Pies were cutting through the Pigeons with relative ease.

The Pigeons got the response they needed in the third quarter as all players were noticeably invested in turning it around.

Tom McKimmie was moved to half back and was giving his team plenty of drive. Two long range goals coming from Hatton and Luke Congram cut the margin back to just three points at the final change.

Cooper Bennett was outstanding in the third quarter proving to be the key pillar that his team needed.

Bennett took a number of intercept marks and led the charge in keeping the Pies goalless for the term.

Against the breeze in the final term, the Pigeons dug deep to hit the lead through Jack Forge who goaled at a crucial time on the run to give his team the lead. However, a quick reply from Wangaratta saw them take back the lead.

With only minutes remaining, Brendan Ryan found some space inside fifty to which he was able to mark the incoming ball.

Ryan, staring directly into a stiff breeze from 35 metres out, could not have flushed the ball any better as the ball sailed through the big sticks.

The Pigeons held on to their 5-point lead in a desperate struggle to secure another important 4-points with Brendan Ryan the hero at Norm Minns Oval.

Goals: Wangaratta: Joshua Hedin 2, Waitai Tua 2, Fraser Holland-Dean 1.

Yarrawonga: Luke Congram 1, Jack Forge 1, Jarryd Hatton 1, Brendan Ryan 1, Dillon Walsh – Hall 1.

Best: Wangaratta: Waitai Tua, Josh Tweedale, Ryan Battin, Josh Nanson, Braeden Marjanovic, Patrick Wright.

Yarrawonga: Jarryd Hatton, Tim Lawrence, Douglas Arnold, Jack Forge, Beau Seymour, Ross Mulquiney.

Thirds

Wangaratta 0.3, 3.4, 6.8, 8.13.61.

Yarrawonga: 2.2, 3.4, 3.4, 4.5.29.

Goals: Wangaratta: Max Bihun 3, Hunter Graham 2, Blake Newton 1, Charlie Ross 1, Asher Simmonds 1.

Yarrawonga: Geoff Montgomery 2, Jack Eales 1, Hunter Frauenfelder 1.

Best: Wangaratta: Harry McMonigle, Max Bihun, Cooper Newton, Blake Newton, Kaeden Burrows, Keahn Driscoll.

Yarrawonga: Hunter Frauenfelder, Lochie Forge, Mitchell Parker, Jack Eales, Ned Harvey, Toby Farrell.

Pigeons Loft

Well what a mixed day at the Norm Minns Oval. The two main games: A-Grade and 1st XVIII were matches vital for top three spots. They did not disappoint.

In particular, the netball, a 1 v 2 match up, worth the price of admission alone, was a showstopper. Whilst jumped early, the A Grade team calmly worked back into it to fight out a great win.

I get the feeling a re-match is being booked for September. The football was a see-sawing contest in weather only good for penguins. However, Leigh Williams managed to light up the final stanza and dragged his boys over the line.

The two reserve teams, the 2nd XVIII and B Grade also won in tough contests. From there Wangaratta had the better of the Pigeons recording good victories in the junior grades and the C-Grade.

4 from 4 was a little less than hoped for, but Ps get degrees!

This Saturday at home we face the Raiders squads who are particularly strong in the junior grades of netball and football.

Further, their A Grade and B Grade teams will be on the hunt for Pigeon. Both are looking to challenge in 2023 and two wins will nearly secure them double chances. It will be a cracking set of contests all over the arena.

There are two main functions coming up.

Next weekend, Saturday, July 22 is the club ball at the wonderful ClubMulwala. Tickets are available this weekend for $80 a double or $50 a single.

Further, on Saturday, August 12 and again at the amazing ClubMulwala, the YFNC will host its Sportsman night.

Stevie J and Cam Mooney along with Kevin Sheedy and Barry Mitchell with host Des Dowling will provide an evening to remember.

Hit up our social pages or any Club member for more details ($1000 per table or $120 per head).

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.

Pigeon Con’s Magpie special: Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were attacked by a giant magpie, witnesses described it as one bird trying to kill two Stones.

Awards:

Netball Awards: Squires Winery – Laura Davis.

Football Awards: Yarrawonga Hotel – Kyal Tyson. Yarrawonga Hotel – Tim Lawrence.