Best for Yarrawonga Max Findlay breaks away from his aopponent.
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Les_Garbutt
Yarrawonga: 2.2, 5.4, 4.2, 6.9 - 45
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Wangaratta: 2.1, 8.3, 12.3, 17.4 – 106
Goals: Yarrawonga: Max Findlay 1, Nick Fothergill 1, Zac Fraser 1, Ben Kennedy 1, Josh Payne 1, Ned Pendergast 1.Wangaratta Rovers: Sam Cattapan 4, Nathan Cooper 4, Sam Murray 3, Lochie O’Brien 2, Will Christie 1, Brodie Filo 1, Alex McCarthy 1, Dylan Wilson 1.
Best: Yarrawonga: Max Findlay, Daniel Howe, Ben Kennedy, Cameron Wilson, Zac Fraser, Jordan Urquhart. Wangaratta Rovers: Lochie O'Brien, Brodie Filo, Jace Mcquade, Samuel Cattapan, Nathan Cooper, Jai Dal Zotto.
The classy, top-of-the-table Wangaratta Rovers outfit proved too much for a spirited Yarrawonga Pigeons on Saturday.
The 61-point loss at JC Lowe Oval didn’t reflect the tough contest.
The Pigeons in the first half pushed the Rovers in a fiery, physical encounter that had the local crowd on its feet.
From the first centre bounce, it was clear Yarrawonga wasn’t going to back down.
Players threw themselves into contests with desperation, and set a combative tone as tensions flared and spot fires broke out across the ground.
Max Findlay was given the challenge of locking down Rovers coach Sam Murray and held his own in a competitive battle.
A early highlight came from Ned Pendergast, who lit up the first quarter with a stunning long-range goal, on the run from outside 50, after a clean dish from Cam Wilson.
Tom Gorman flies high for this contest in the seniors.
The home side matched the Rovers with intensity and looked right in the contest at quarter time.
The second term saw more of the same, as the Pigeons continued to take the game on.
Zac Fraser was electric inside forward 50, snapping a brilliant goal to keep the momentum flowing.
Meanwhile, Ben Kennedy looked ominous throughout the forward half, and had used his agility and strong hands to put real pressure on the Rovers defence.
Although it seemed as if the Pigeons might have gone into half-time with a slight lead, the Rovers hit back with a flurry of goals.
A moment of brilliance after the siren saw Dylan Wilson unload a huge torpedo goal to give visitors a three-goal lead at the main break, a big momentum shift that carried into the second half.
The Rovers really asserted their dominance in the third quarter.
The league leaders had taken control at the stoppages, and moved the ball with precision which allowed for them to kick away, with several unanswered goals scored.
The Pigeons had a glimmer of hope after Fraser scored another crafty snap, but the visitors quickly extinguished any chance of a comeback.
The final term was all the Rovers, their class and polish rose to the surface.
The Pigeons team character couldn’t be questioned, despite the loss.
A number of key players from last year’s grand final side are still out through injury.
The bye on the horizon could not have come at a better time for Yarrawonga.
The club is hopeful to welcome back midfield star Willie Wheeler, 2023 Did Simpson Medallist Michael Gibbons, and key big man Lachie Howe, in the coming weeks.
The second half of season 2025 presents an opportunity for the group to rest, reload and reignite the campaign, with reinforcements on their way and young players rising to the occasion.
Reserves
Matthew O’Dwyer gets a kick away in defence for the Pigeons.
Yarrawonga 6.5.41 def Wangaratta Rovers 5.15.45
Goals: Dylan Flanagan 2, Brandon Symes 2, Andrew Dickins 1.
Best: Thomas Gorman, Andrew Dickins, Brandon Symes, Jack Robinson, Dylan Flanagan, Cooper Courtney.
The Pigeons’ reserves outfit produced a gritty performance on Saturday, and fell just four points short of the Wangaratta Rovers in a tense and hard-fought contest at JC Lowe Oval.
Despite a disrupted lead-up that saw the late loss of several key players, Yarrawonga dug deep and pushed Rovers all the way, with the match going right down to the final siren.
The Pigeons entered the game with a tall lineup and wanted to capitalise on with the height advantage.
That strategy was bolstered by the return of 200cm ruckman Tom Gorman, who played his first game of the season and was named best on field for Yarrawonga.
Gorman’s presence around the ground and dominance in the ruck gave the Pigeons first use of the ball and set the tone early.
Andrew Dickins showed fight all day, constantly presenting and giving the Pigeons a target.
He looked dangerous inside forward 50 and gave the Rovers' defence plenty to worry about.
Brandon Symes also made a strong impact at both ends of the ground.
He finished with two goals and provided important contests throughout the match.
Jack Robinson continued to impress after his transition into the midfield from the wing.
His work rate and ability to win the ball on the inside added another layer to Yarrawonga’s engine room.
Recruit Dylan Flanagan has started to find his feet at the club and looked more confident.
He kicked two crucial goals and showed good signs of becoming a reliable forward option.
Jack Eales clears the ball out of defence for the Pigeons Reserves.
Cooper Courtney impressed on debut after showing great composure and versatility.
Though the result didn’t fall Yarrawonga’s way, there was no questioning the fight and character shown by the group.
The reserves side has plenty of upside as the season rolls on.
Thirds
Yarrawonga 1.0, 2.2, 3.3, 4.3.27.
Wangaratta Rovers 4.6, 5.12, 8.17, 15.20.110.
Goals: Yarrawonga: Tyrone Baxter 1, Archie Jaques 1, Connor McCarty 1, Wil Thomson 1. Wangaratta Rovers: Connor Breheny 4, Cooper Boman 2, Jock Correll 1, Archer Direen 1, Harvey Dodgshun 1, Cody Johnson 1, Ben McMonigle 1, Harry Mullane 1, Eli Saunders 1, Marshall Semmens 1, Eden White 1.
Best: Yarrawonga: Jordan Ibbott, Tyrone Baxter, Ryan Cameron, Riley Bone, Lewis Henley, Lucas Eales. Wangaratta Rovers: Jed Marek, Cooper Boman, Charlie Miller, Charlie Lugg, Connor Breheny, Mac Correll.
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