Ryan Bruce lays a hard tackle on Albury's Darcy Harrington in the scrappy second semi final.
Yarrawonga 2.5, 5.8, 7.12, 7.14.56.
Albury 1.3, 2.5, 3.9, 4.15.39.
Goals: Yarrawonga: Brayden Coburn 3, Ryan Einsporn 1, Nick Fothergill 1, Ned Pendergast 1, Mark Whiley 1.
Albury: Riley Bice 2, Kolby Heiner – Hennessy 1, Anthony Miles 1.
Best: Yarrawonga: Ned Pendergast, Michael Gibbons, Leigh Masters, Matthew Casey, Brayden Coburn, Lach Howe.
Albury: Riley Bice, Jake Gaynor, Lucas Conlan, Rhys King, Max Byrne, Jacob Page.
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The Yarrawonga Pigeons have secured a spot in the SS&A Ovens and Murray Grand Final with a victory over the Albury Tigers in the 2nd Semi Final at Martin Park on Saturday.
In the early stages of the game, both teams took time to find their feet and settle into the contest. The Pigeons slightly having more of the play however could only manage to kick two goals and five points to lead the Tigers by 8 points at the first change.
Logan Morey was one of the Pigeons' best, flying for a pack mark in the goal square.
Bobbing up forward early, Brayden Coburn was causing some early headaches for the Tigers. The midfielder turned small forward these days was brilliant in his ability to find small pockets of space in the forward fifty.
Mark Whiley began well for the Pigeons, getting his hands on the ball and demonstrating a strong ability to run both ways in attack and defense.
Brayden Coburn was the Pigeons top goal scorer, booting 3 of the sides 7 goals.
The defenders of the Pigeons were holding strong as they have done all season. The back six led by Ned Pendergast were exceptional in their efforts to quell the influence of the dangerous Albury attack. Pendergast was named the Pigeons best after keeping Albury spearhead Conlan to no goals and even booting through one himself.
The game continued to be a tough grind as neither side could take advantage on the scoreboard, missing easy shots on goal.
It was the battle of the big men in the ruck with a tough, scrappy contest between Yarrawonga's Lach Howe and Albury's Isaac Muller all day.
Coach Steve Johnson remained confident in his troops and knew that his team would stand up to the rigors of finals footy.
Matt Casey has proven to be a performer on the big occasions and this game was no different as he presented strongly all day to be a key target for Yarrawonga.
A crowd of more than 2200 watch on as Dylan Conway lines up for a shot on goal.
The Pigeons began to break the game open in the second half as they were able to spread the ground and work through the Albury defense. Logan Morey stepped up in his wing role and began to dominate in doing so. Morey’s second half of the season has been ultra-consistent and continues to stand up when it counts.
With the lead stretching out beyond four goals at three quarter time, the Pigeons remained strong in their mindset and were confident they were able to run the game out strongly.
Coach Stevie J revs up his troops at three quarter time to get them over the line and into a second consecutive grand final.
Although rallying late, Albury could not penetrate the walls of the Pigeons defense as it remained rock solid. The Pigeons grinding out a gritty victory against the Albury Tigers to secure their spot in the big dance.
The Pigeons will now have a week off and rest up to play either Albury or Wangaratta for the Ovens and Murray Premiership in 2023.
Reserves
Yarrawonga 2.3, 5.5, 7.5, 10.5.65.
Wangaratta 1.1, 3.6, 4.7, 4.11.35.
Goals: Yarrawonga: Tim Lawrence 3, Max Hemphill 2, Ross Mulquiney 2, Luke Congram 1, Will Robinson 1, Dillon Walsh-Hall 1.
Wangaratta: Jayden Adamo 1, Thomas Gorman 1, Darcy Melksham 1, Harrison Smart 1.
Best: Yarrawonga: Tim Lawrence, Max Hemphill, Jack Forge, David O’Dwyer, Will Robinson, Reid Clarke.
Wangaratta: Harrison Smart, Josh Tweedale, Will O’keefe, Darcy Melksham, Patrick Wright, Josh Nanson.
Yarrawonga have hit back after suffering a heavy defeat in the Qualifying Final last week with a brilliant victory in the First Semi Final against the Wangaratta Magpies on Sunday afternoon.
Regaining some key personnel in Tim Lawrence, Jack Forge and Tanner Nyholm, the Pigeons were confident that if they could back to somewhere near their best, they would be too strong for the Pies in the do or die contest.
The Pigeons began well and on terms with the Pies. With both midfields getting their hands on the ball, the Pigeons forwards were slightly better in taking their opportunities with two goals to one in the opening quarter.
Tim Lawrence and Max Hemphill looked dangerous right from the word go as they were forcing the Magpies to defend at a high velocity.
The Pigeons began to increase the margin through sheer hard work and an ability to compete at the source. Doug Arnold, Will Robinson, Jack Forge and David O’Dwyer were all doing a power of grunt work in the midfield as they started to work over the Pies.
The Pies will rue some missed opportunities in front of goal which were more than gettable ones.
The back six of the Pigeons were strong all day. Tom McKimmie enjoyed his shift to the back flank where he was able to use his strong running power and clever ball use. McKimmie, along with Geoff Montgomery, Cory Pearn, Jarryd Hatton and Beau Seymour were not only defending strongly first, but rebounding off half back and were forcing the Pies to defend as well.
Tim Lawrence struck some brilliant form through the game. Lawrence was best on ground for Yarrawonga and it was evident that he wanted to set the tone for his team with excellent defensive pressure which allowed the Pigeons to lock in their forward half.
Yarrawonga ran away comfortable 30-point victors and now progress through to the Preliminary Final which will be held at Birralee Park on Sunday against the Lavington Panthers.
Pigeons Loft
Your Pigeons have 3 teams through to the Grand Final already and two playing Sunday for their chance at Grand Final glory.
Let’s get right behind them and make your way to Wodonga Raiders Birallee Park just before midday to cheer them home!
Recapping the 2nd Semi Final, three of our four teams saluted. First up, C Grade, it was a battle but with skipper Cait McNamara calling the shots from the centre the girls got the job done.
Next up A-Grade, well they met a strong Lavington and whilst in the game, it was just not their day.
In the B-Grade it was a scrap against the Raiders all the way, but the 2 weeks off will heal all wounds.
On the footy field the 1st XVIII just snuck by modern day rival Albury in a game that was like many finals, tough, hard and not pretty. Both sides failed to take chances on the scoreboard and whilst the Pigeons led most of the day, it never felt over until the final siren.
One expects this week’s match of Albury v Wangaratta will be one in which not a quarter will be given. Lastly, in the 1st semi, the 2nds ended Wangaratta’s epic run (they had won 7 of their last 10 games).
2023 has been a wonderful year so far, but let’s hope our A-Graders can overcome a strong Raiders squad on the march. A win will mean they have played in 13 of the last 15 Grand Finals. That is right, since 2006 when they finished 3rd they have only missed two Grand Finals.
Continuing the theme our 2nd XVIII if they win will have played at every Grand Final since 2016. Wow!
Next Friday, September 22 the Pigeon Grand Final parade will be held along Belmore Street with all local clubs invited to participate. We hope it will be an entire community celebration with the street in Blue and White and boats and tractors lined up – it will be a sight to see.
Plus do not forget Thursday, September 28 is the Pigeon Presentation Night at key partner ClubMulwala. Hit up our socials to secure your early bird discount entry.
Lastly, we take this opportunity to thank major partners: ClubMulwala, Kennedy Builders, Belmores, BETR, Blum, Yarrawonga Holiday Park, Yarrawonga Hotel and Yield Finance for their support.
Pigeon Con’s “Spring” special: Mrs Con sighed… “Finals… it’s allergy season again with all this Canola” Pigeons Con retorted: “You’ve got to be pollen my leg.”
Awards: Netball: Squires Winery – Hannah Symes. Football: Yarrawonga Hotel – Brayden Coburn and Yarrawonga Hotel – Tim Lawrence.
