Pigeons power on as ladder leaders

Goals: Wodonga: Thomas Johnson 3, Jett Cassidy 2, Matt Wilson 2, Jack O’Sullivan 1.

Yarrawonga: Nick Fothergill 3, Leigh Williams 3, Jess Koopman 2, Matt Casey 1, Ben Coghill 1, Bailey Frauenfelder 1, Perry Lewis-Smith 1, Harry Wheeler 1.

Best: Wodonga: Joshua Mathey, Thomas Johnson, Matthew Soroczynski, Jack O’sullivan, Noah Bradshaw, Liam Andrews.

Yarrawonga: Harrison Wheeler, Lach Howe, William Wheeler, Leigh Masters, Leigh Williams, Nicholas Fothergill.

The Yarrawonga Pigeons have taken another step forward in the 2024 season with a strong victory over the Wodonga Bulldogs.

The Pigeons always know they are in for a tough, physical contest when they take the trip to Martin Park, and this clash against the fourth-placed Dogs was going to be no different.

The Pigeons could not have wished for a better start to the game, as Perry Lewis-Smith waltzed into open goal 20 seconds into the game.

Not long after, Leigh Williams was dragged to the ground without the ball. The power forward kicked truly and the Pigeons had the first two on the board.

The Dogs were being well served up forward by Cassidy, who kicked two early majors, whilst the Pigeons’ third goal came through Nick Fothergill with a brilliant chase and tackle to bring down Morrison in the forward fifty.

Yarrawonga has had some dominant momentum swings in 2024, but their second quarter against the Dogs is up there with the best of them.

Six goals to one saw the Pigeons at their best with some scintillating passages of play tearing the Dogs apart.

Jess Koopman, back into the lineup after a string of strong performances in the Reserves, was dangerous up forward booting through two goals for the quarter.

His fellow small forwards also got to work as Fothergill and Frauenfelder both found avenues to the big sticks. Williams also looked set for a big day at the office as he reached half-time with three majors to his name.

The Wheeler brothers got off the chain throughout the term, both knocking up with numbers in the high teens in the first half.

Big man Lach Howe, arguably the Pigeons most consistent player so far this season, was yet again superb showing his experience and craft all over the ground.

The Pigeons had their fair share of chances to put the Bulldogs away in emphatic fashion, however wayward kicking for goal was a hurdle they couldn’t get over as the Bulldogs won the quarter 3.1 to 0.5.

The Dogs were able to halt the momentum of the Pigeons all the way throughout the second half in an impressive display.

Although not finishing off the game as strong as they would have liked, the Pigeons were pleased to travel to Wodonga to get the all important four points to stay on top of the OMFNL ladder.

Reserves

Wodonga 7.4.46 def by Yarrawonga 14.9.93.

The Yarrawonga Reserves put in an impressive performance away from home, downing the Wodonga Bulldogs by 47-points at Martin Park.

In a must-win game, the Pigeons hopes of winning took a hit throughout the week, with a number of forced changes to the lineup from the previous game against the Wangaratta Rovers. However, the Pigeons were able to secure the services of club legends Xavier Leslie, Craig Ednie and Nick Dykes who all pulled on the blue and white hoops yet again. T

he Pigeons also saw the return of Jack James, younger cousin of Leslie, who has relocated to Yarrawonga after a stint in Melbourne.

As has been the case throughout the season, the Reserves have called upon players from the Thirds to double up each week. Xavier Mitchell and Zac Forge both made brilliant contributions to the team, both kicking a goal which was a highlight of the day.

The Pigeons fired out of the blocks early, kicking the first three goals of the game. ‘The Little Master’ Ednie was back to his old tricks, finding pockets of space inside fifty and hitting the scoreboard in his comeback game.

Dan Clarke showed some class from a forward fifty ruck stoppage, roving his own ruckwork to snap through a beauty.

After the hot start, the Bulldogs hit back hard with the following three goals to square things up at the quarter time break.

The Pigeons were able to regain their composure and get back on top in the second quarter. Geoff Montgomery was moved into the ruck and provided a pivotal contest for his midfielders who began to take control of the game.

Will Robinson and Tom McKimmie were both giving the Pigeons plenty of drive whilst Matt Grinter showed poise and experience when needed.

The Pigeons extended their lead to a healthy 26-points at the main break.

A man in great form for the Pigeons is Todd Muldoon. The key forward, partner of A Grade star Gemma, looks to have found his feet at his new club and is having a superb impact on the team kicking 7 goals in his last 3 outings.

Wodonga, led by former Morris Medalist Matt Seiter, were able to challenge the Pigeons in the third quarter, however the Pigeons were able to hold them at bay when the pressure came on.

Cory Pearn, Fraser Haintz and Mac Pendergast all had big moments in defense and stood tall when it mattered.

The final quarter belonged to the Pigeons as they proved to have far too much run in the legs for the Bulldogs.

The total team buy-in looked evident as they ran away with five goals to one in the last.

The victory puts the Pigeons within reach of the top five as they continue to build towards the back end of the season.

Goals: Craig Ednie 3, Todd Muldoon 3, Tom McKimmie 2, Daniel Clarke 1, Matt Grinter 1, Xavier Leslie 1, Brock McCabe 1, Matt McCabe 1, Jack Robinson 1, Will Robinson 1.

Best: Reid Clarke, Will Robinson, Brock McCabe, Jack James, Craig Ednie, Tom McKimmie.

Thirds

Wodonga 2.4, 3.4, 4.5, 5.5.35.

Yarrawonga 0.1, 3.4, 5.9, 6.12.48.

Goals: Wodonga: Miller Bedson 1, Chad Brookes 1, James Grohmann 1, Beau Nicklin 1, Lachlan Nugent 1.

Yarrawonga: Jack Eales 2, Zac Forge 1, Joseph Lee-Conway 1, Tommy Marriner 1. Mitchell Parker 1.

Best: Wodonga: Mason Prenter, James Grohmann, Jeremy Stone, bailyn dove, Flynn O’Neill, Lachlan Nugent.

Yarrawonga: Samuel Bigger, Tommy Marriner, Blake Keenes, Zac Forge, Mitchell Parker, Charlie Rae.

Pigeons Loft

The opening of the second round of the home and away season saw the Pigeons travel up the Murray to the Wodonga Bulldogs. The early netball matches were a display of class from the Wodonga outfits, with some strong victories.

However, full credit to the under-15s, who stuck at their match. The C Grade game was a disappointing loss, but from there, the Pigeons took the chocolates, and for the second time in three weeks, all three football teams saluted on one day.

However, and in an escape from the typical, the writer would like to drop into the story of the day, and it is not Luke Congram’s packing before his trip away with Maddy Kennedy to Europe.

The 2 nd XVIII Pigeons have been well led all year by Reid Clarke with a revolving door the fairest way to describe selection (through necessity).

This week was no different. It was a crucial match to keep finals hopes alive, and the call was made for players Friday evening (with less than enough to fill a side).

Answering the call were 2 Morris Medallists (cinches for 1 st ballot Hall Fame) and a three-time Premiership skipper. That is not forgetting one Tyler Bonat, himself a Morris Medallist, who has also been playing and would have played bar injury.

The strength of a club has many measures. However, the willingness for people to stand up for it without gain, and most likely to their own detriment, defines “club” and “club culture”.

It was no doubt a thrill for many of the young players to take the field with some of the Pigeons’ finest but also to experience just how invested and desperate they were to see their club succeed.

Dykes, Craig and Xavier (and Tyler) – awesome, and if not for a lick of paint on the post all three would have kicked a goal.

Saturday, July 13 at the clubrooms the YFNC are hosting its inaugural race night.

The Fashions on the Field are strictly Op-Shop and the racing sure to be fast and most certainly close. If the rumours are true, Betr have a live quaddie going it surely can’t be missed… Check out our socials for more.

We take this opportunity to thank our major partners: ClubMulwala, Kennedy Builders, Belmores, Betr, RuralCo, the Play Project, Yarrawonga Holiday Park, Yarrawonga Hotel and BG Finance.

Thursday Nights

In season 2024 our Thursday Night teas will continue each Thursday night before an Ovens and Murray match.

Awards: Football:

1sts - Harry Wheeler. 2nds - Craig Ednie. 3rds - Blake Keenes

Awards: Netball: These awards in 2024 will again be brought to by the Yarrawonga Hotel, Bella Pelle and Mint Boutique.