Despite limited game time Michael Gibbons saw plenty of the ball in his welcome return to the Pigeons senior line-up at Lonsdale Reserve on Easter Sunday.
Best Players: Bailey Frauenfelder, Jack Elliott, Ben Kennedy, Harrison Wheeler, Ryan Bruce, Zac Fraser. Goals: Frauenfelder 4, Coghill 3, Fothergill 2, Fraser, Bruce, Elliott, Irvine, Kennedy, McKenna, Wheeler, Williams, Wilson.
Wodonga Raiders
Best Players: Tom Bracher, Harry Sweetman, Jackson Casey, Nathan Clarke, Alex Pocock, Harvey Cribbes. Goals: Clarke 3, Hernan 2, Bracher, Jones, Scammell.
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Yarrawonga opened its season in emphatic fashion, defeating the Wodonga Raiders by 78 points on Easter Sunday, with senior coach Leigh Williams orchestrating a composed and calculated performance from the sidelines.
With a number of players short on match fitness following limited pre-season exposure, largely due to many squad members featuring deep into the 2026 cricket finals, Williams placed a strong emphasis on managing workloads and easing key personnel back into competitive football.
Bailey Frauenfelder booted four goals in a best on ground performance for the Pigeons on Sunday.
Despite early concerns from the coach, the team built momentum to secure a dominant win, highlighted by key contributions from several players.
The match also served as a return phase for important players recovering from injuries.
The side also welcomed back several players who had limited involvement in 2025 due to injury, making player management a clear priority.
After a steady start, the Pigeons gradually found their rhythm, breaking the game open with a dominant second half that yielded 10 goals.
Senior Coach Leigh Williams dives for this ball during the Pigeons classy win over Wodonga Raiders.
Williams rotated his players intelligently throughout, ensuring returning players were not overextended while still maintaining structure and intensity across the ground.
The hit-out proved particularly valuable for several senior players, including Leigh Masters and Willie Wheeler.
The return of Bailey Frauenfelder (four goals) after 12 months on the sidelines was another major positive, while his performance was impressive, there is a sense that even greater impact lies ahead as he builds match fitness.
Harrison Wheeler was again a model of consistency, while Fraser and Bruce provided strong run and drive.
New ruckman Jack Elliott worked tirelessly and demonstrated why he has been regarded as one of the standout ruckmen in metropolitan football in recent years.
“I was a bit concerned how we were going to start,” Williams said.
“It was all about ticking a box.”
2025 best and fairest Cam Wilson stretches for the mark.
All in all, it was a strong opening performance and a valuable hit-out, as the Pigeons now turn their attention to a far sterner test against an in-form Myrtleford outfit in the hills this Sunday.
Best Players: Lewis Henley, Max Findlay, Cooper Courtney, Ryder Stevens, Andrew Dickins, Lachlan Craig. Goals: L Henley 5, L Craig 4, C Courtney 2, J McCay 2, J Payne 1, B Schofield 1, W Lutula 1, P Waugh 1.
The heat was on and off the ground in the Reserves game at Lonsdale Reserve on Sunday.
Yarrawonga’s Second XVIII delivered a statement performance with a commanding win over a 2025 finals side, underlining the strong pre-season work put in by coaches O’Dwyer and Schofield.
The Pigeons fielded a notably tall lineup but combined that advantage with impressive work rate, consistently outworking their opponents across the ground.
Pigeons Reserves Willy Lutula evades his Wodonga opponent during the team’s dominant win on Sunday.
Several players made a strong case for senior selection, showing depth and competition for spots within the club.
The match wasn’t without its flashpoints, with Todd Muldoon set to keep the club seamstress busy following a physical altercation, but the overall performance reflected a side well-prepared and ready to challenge again this season.
Best Players: Archie Jaques, Baxter Donovan, Jai Sneddon, Oliver Watson, John Burns, Lenny Lonergan. Goals: J Sneddon 3, L Eales 2, C McCarty 2, B Donovan 2, S Trembath, L Lonergan 1.
Yarrawonga’s Third XVIII began their season on a high note with a hard-fought victory in an entertaining and closely contested match.
Coaches Wilson and Frauenfelder will be pleased with the resilience shown by their young side in a game that ebbed and flowed throughout.
With strong height across the ground and a willingness to compete at every contest, the Pigeons held their nerve in key moments to secure the win.
It was a quality underage contest that highlighted the promising talent coming through the ranks.
Pigeons Loft
It was a highly successful weekend for the club against the Wodonga Raiders, with all three football sides recording strong victories in an impressive all-round showing.
On the netball court, our A Grade side delivered one of the highlights of the day, turning the tables in a thrilling Grand Final rematch.
After falling short on the big stage last season, the group showed composure and determination to secure a well-earned win in what was a fantastic contest.
A special thanks to the Mulwala Football Club for hosting the Pigeons so well and also to Scott Jaques and his team for moving the YFNC backwards and forwards between the venue in 12 hours without hiccup (again).
Attention now turns to a significant Round 2 fixture, as the club heads up the hills to take on Myrtleford the Alpine Saints.
The day also marks the Annual Be Kind to Your Mind Round, a wonderful initiative led by John Pryor that highlights the importance of mental health awareness within our football and netball communities.
We encourage all members and supporters to get along, support the sides, and embrace the spirit of what promises to be another important and meaningful round.
Thank you to our major partners
We gratefully acknowledge the support of our major partners:
Club Mulwala, Kennedy Builders, Belmores, BETR, Yarrawonga Ford, The Play Project, Yarrawonga Holiday Park, Yarrawonga Hotel, and BG Finance.
Pigeon Con’s Special – Getting Back on the Horse
Why can't you play hide and seek with mountains? Because they always peak.
Thursday Nights – Season 2026
Thursday night teas return again in 2026, held each week prior to Ovens & Murray matches with this weekend the kick off AWJFL. On Friday the YFNC 1 st XVIII will train noting the Sunday fixture.
Awards – Netball & Football
Our 2026 awards will once again be proudly supported by the Yarrawonga Hotel.
