Yarrawonga 1.3 5.10 10.11 11.13 (79) defeated North Albury 2.4 3.6 5.8 6.10 (46)
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Goals: Yarrawonga: Charley McKenna 2, Cameron Wilson 2, Nicholas Irvine 2, Ben Coghill 2.
North Albury: Jamie Mooney 4.
Best: Yarrawonga: Daniel Howe, Cameron Wilson, Reid Clarke, William Wheeler, Harrison Wheeler, Max Findlay.
North Albury: Ben Rigoni, Matthew Gardner, Jordan McKenzie, Cooper McIntosh, Darcey Cullen, Jamie Mooney.
Yarrawonga Pigeons produced a strong second-half performance to defeat North Albury by 33 points at JC Lowe Oval on Saturday.
In glorious conditions for football, Yarrawonga overcame a seven-point quarter-time deficit to run out 11.13 (79) to 6.10 (46) winners in front of a disappointing crowd.
The venue presented superbly and provided an excellent atmosphere from both the football and netball viewing areas, although the attendance again raised questions about the level of community support for local clubs and the importance of junior players and families being involved in home game action.
North Albury started brightly to lead 2.4 to 1.3 at the first break, but the Pigeons gradually worked their way into the contest before six goals to three after half-time sealed the club’s fourth win of the season.
Yarrawonga coach Leigh Williams praised his side’s defensive effort following the victory.
“I was pretty happy, our defensive pressure was better than in any game so far,” Williams said.
“We let ourselves down in front of goal, myself included, but it was our best team performance.”
Former AFL defender Daniel Howe was influential across half-back, repeatedly intercepting North Albury attacks and providing strong drive from defence.
“Howe gave us plenty of drive and took a number of intercept marks,” Williams said.
Williams also played despite carrying nerve damage in his neck and back, providing a strong target up forward and competing hard in the air.
He made average delivery count at times by bringing the ball to ground, taking several strong marks and creating an important physical presence inside 50.
Up forward Yarrawonga spread the load with Nick Irvine, Cameron Wilson, Charley McKenna and Ben Coghill all finishing with two goals apiece.
Wilson was outstanding through the midfield with 35 possessions, including 23 kicks and 12 handballs, while also collecting 14 contested possessions.
Former Morris Medallist Willie Wheeler gathered 26 disposals, with 14 contested possessions, while captain Harry Wheeler continued his excellent form with 25 disposals and 10 contested possessions.
Reid Clarke who is in career-best form put out another strong display, collecting 22 possessions and joining Howe and Wilson among the Pigeons’ best players.
Yarrawonga also unveiled under-18 pair Baxter Donovan and Cooper Webster, with Webster nearly producing a spectacular mark that would have been an early contender for mark of the year.
“It would have been one of the best marks I had ever seen,” Williams said.
“His opponent was standing up straight and Cooper was almost another person on top of him in a big pack of five, but he just lost control on the way down.”
For North Albury, Ben Rigoni and Matthew Gardner were standout performers, while Jamie Mooney finished with four goals.
Yarrawonga Reserves too strong
Yarrawonga Reserves 12.20 (92) defeated North Albury Reserves 5.2 (32)
Yarrawonga Pigeons reserves secured a comfortable 60-point win over North Albury on Saturday, but poor conversion in front of goal left plenty of room for improvement.
Despite dominating general play and finishing with 32 scoring shots to seven, Yarrawonga managed just 12.20 (92) in the 12.20 to 5.2 (32) victory.
Bad kicking proved to be bad football for the Pigeons, who at times looked capable of winning the ball at will but repeatedly let themselves down by foot going inside forward 50. Skill errors and missed opportunities in front of goal plagued the performance and could prove costly later in the season.
The Pigeons established control early, keeping North scoreless in the opening quarter before extending their advantage steadily throughout the afternoon.
Samuel Bigger produced a strong four-quarter performance, while Tom McKimmie was among the side’s better ball users and provided valuable composure when moving the ball forward.
With the upcoming bye arriving at an ideal time, Yarrawonga will be hoping several players can rediscover form ahead of a crucial clash with the Bulldogs.
The match shapes as a season-defining contest for the Pigeons, with a win likely to cement their position inside the top five, while a loss could drag them back into the congested finals race.
There was also an emotional farewell for Cooper Courtney, who played his final game for the club before returning home to Melbourne.
Courtney arrived at the club last season and quickly became a respected and popular member of the group through his commitment on and off the field.
The Pigeons acknowledged Courtney’s contribution over the past 12 months, noting he would always be welcome back at the “Pigeon Coup”.
Goals: Nicholas Gorman 3, Samuel Bigger 2, Tom McKimmie 2, Ryder Stevens 2.
Best: Samuel Bigger, Xavier Mitchell, Tom McKimmie, Cooper Courtney, Ryder Stevens, Adam McKelvie.
Thirds win ugly to remain unbeaten
Yarrawonga Thirds 11.10 (76) defeated North Albury Thirds 5.7 (37)
Yarrawonga Pigeons thirds maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a hard-fought 11.10 (76) to 5.7 (37) victory over North Albury on Saturday.
The young Pigeons started superbly, showing plenty of run and pace early to establish control of the contest with a six-goal opening quarter. However, North Albury responded strongly and for much of the remaining three quarters looked the more desperate side around the contest as the game developed into a tougher and scrappier affair.
Despite the challenge, Yarrawonga found a way to grind out another victory and improve to six wins without defeat.
Samuel Trembath was the standout performer up forward, proving almost unstoppable in one-on-one contests deep inside attack.
Trembath finished with seven goals in a dominant display and was clearly the difference between the two sides. Archie Jaques continued his strong form with another polished performance, using the ball well and consistently winning contests both at ground level and in the air.
Connor McCarty, Cooper Clark, Sonny Sneddon and Lenny Lonergan also made strong contributions in an important team effort.
Coaches Frauenfelder and Wilson, alongside Matt O’Dwyer, have done an outstanding job assembling a talented squad, although the coming rounds are expected to provide some tougher tests for the young Pigeons.
Best: Samuel Trembath, Connor McCarty, Cooper Clark, Archie Jaques, Sonny Sneddon, Lenny Lonergan.