Following the Yarrawonga Pigeons announcement of its core senior coaching staff for the 2021 season, the Pigeons coaches have wasted no time securing the services of their local talent.
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The Pigeons were beaming when advising the Yarrawonga Chronicle of a number of signings of their young players including the following young guns:
Jack Sexton, Matt Casey, Bailey Frauenfelder, Josh Tonna, Jordan Urquhart, Zac Banch, Jess Koopman and Jack Forge.
Senior Coach Mark Whiley said: “whilst the injury toll of 2021 has been a nightmare, it provided opportunities to many of our young guys with increased game time and in big roles week in week out.
“Whilst it was not what I had planned at the start of 2020 or 2021 it has fast tracked development and being involved with such a young group is exciting.
“Whilst Covid has caused a few delays I am keen to sure up all our great young guys.”
Coach Whiley is also hopeful to continue the junior development with other Under 18 young players such as: Ned Pendergast, Jett Smith, Will Wheaton and Will Sexton in 2021 and into 2022.
Along with the young guns, coach Whiley also has commitment from Lach Howe, Harry Wheeler, Willie Wheeler, Logan Morey, Leigh Masters, Tyler Lovell and Brandon Symes who will all return in 2022.
Further, he is hopeful Xavier Leslie and Tyler Bonat will extend their stellar careers assisting him in developing his list briming with talent.
The Yarrawonga Pigeons also hinted there just might be a couple of names to add to their squad.
Pigeon Loft
After a long break this weekend the Pigeons will host the Albury Tigers at the JC Lowe Oval.
On the information available today (Tuesday), the games will go ahead without crowds.
This is a very disappointing result for all involved. Our club, we hope, is a place for people to come and watch sport and meet people. Without you all being part of it, it loses what makes it great, you.
We all hope things will change, but as a club we have steeled ourselves to play on regardless.
Our club was one of two clubs (or possibly three) who put in writing to the Ovens and Murray two weeks ago that we would simply play, crowds or no crowds, finals, or no finals, we just wanted to get our young people out there doing what they enjoy. We wanted to find some normality in these difficult times.
In fact, we have been doing that since March 2020 when this whole disaster kicked off. We were the only club in the region to run junior sport last year.
We are proud of our commitment to host sport and provide the best opportunities for young people in our region to play.
Whilst these decisions negatively impact financially the viability of the club, ultimately, clubs with great tradition stand their tallest when times are hardest.
YARRAWONGA JUNIOR FOOTY
Under 16s
Yarrawonga 4.15.39 defeated by Wodonga Bulldogs 8.6.54.
Under 14s
Yarrawonga 6.3.39 defeated Wodonga Bulldogs 5.5.35.
Round 15 action of the AWJFL saw the Yarrawonga Under 14 boys take on 4th placed Wodonga Bulldogs.
The boys came out firing from the first bounce with a strong sense of determination.
They were rewarded on the scoreboard with the first 2 goals of the match. Jobe Fraser started strong in the backline, repelling many Wodonga attacks.
Pacey Haebich and Levi Saunders worked hard in the centre and Gus Saunders was presenting hard at centre half forward.
Max Loughnan showed some great courage forcing his way through 3 opposition players, winning the ball in the backline and saving a certain goal.
In the second quarter Wodonga hit back to take the lead at half time. Sam Williams picked up a few courageous possessions and Brayden Bramich took a great mark on the half back line.
The 3rd quarter was dominated by the Yarra boys. Jobe Fraser was switched to the ruck where he dominated and forced the ball into the forward line.
Sam Trembath really turned it on taking spectacular marks, playing on quickly and kicking some great running goals.
The Yarra boys held an 11-point lead going into the last quarter.
The last quarter was a tight affair. Wodonga closed the gap but fortunately the Yarrawonga boys managed to hold them out for a 4-point win.
Ryan Cameron was strong in the midfield and Sam Trembath continued taking strong grabs around the field.
Miller Sanderson had a ripper of a game, hitting the ball hard and collecting numerous possessions as he went.
Goals: Sam Trembath 3, Ryan Cameron 1, Baxter Donovan 1, Pacey Haebich 1.
Awards - Trembath Construction $10, Jobe Fraser - Yarrawonga Fish & Chips, Brayden Bramich - Sanderson & Jaques Socks, Mitch Tyson - Urban Graze Award, Miller Sanderson - Wingates Award, Sam Trembath.
Under 12s
Yarrawonga 7.6.48 defeated 4.7.31.
Good to have footy back with the boys taking on Wodonga Bulldogs at home.The game was a hard fought contest going goal for goal for the first 3 quarters.
The backs worked overtime led by Jack Van Den Bosch stopping a number of opportunities after the ball spent most of the 3rd quarter in bulldogs forward half.
Coming into 3 quarter time down by a goal the boys knew they had some work to do to come away with the win.
The last term saw Jimmy and Ollie get on top through the middle providing the forwards with some opportunities, Conner McCarty went forward and took a great mark in front of goal and kicking straight to get boys back in game.
Soon after Sonny kicked his 3rd for the game to give Yarra a buffer, with Ollie marking and kicking the sealer with a great come from behind win while backs worked well to keep Bulldogs scoreless in final term.
Great team effort boys.
Goals: Sonny Sneddon 3, Oliver Tresize 1, Darcy Skehan 1, Conner McCarty 1, Lucas Kaine 1.
Best: Jimmy Cummings, Cooper Clark, Sonny Sneddon, Jack Van Den Bosch,Oliver Tresize.