Best: Albury: William Blomeley, Jay Hillary, Will Unthank, Zachary Gigliotti, Charlie Lappin, Jacob Brunner.
Yarrawonga: Reid Clarke, Beau Seymour, Hunter Frauenfelder, Cory Pearn, Tom McKimmie, Max Hemphill.
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The Yarrawonga Reserves have suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of the Albury Tigers in the Qualifying Final at WJ Findlay Oval on Saturday.
Heading into the contest against the Tigers, the Pigeons were able to give opportunity to a trio of thirds players in Mitch Parker, Ned Harvey and Hunter Frauenfelder who have all played games in the Reserves side throughout the season.
Although missing key personnel in Jack Forge, Tanner Nyholm, Tim Lawrence and Dillon Walsh-Hall due to ineligibility and injury, the Pigeons remained confident that they could serve it up to the strong Tigers outfit.
The first quarter saw the Tigers jump out of the blocks and put early pressure on the Pigeons.
With 9 scoring shots early for the Tigers, the Pigeons defence was constantly under pressure and did their best to stem the tide.
Reid Clarke was named the Pigeons best in their 62 point defeat.
Cory Pearn, recently returning from overseas, has been a shining light for the Yarrawonga back six.
Pearn continues to win most, if not all of his one-on-one battles in the air and on the ground.
The second quarter saw the Pigeons dig their heels in and create a bit more of a scrap to slow the pace of Tigers.
Beau Seymour, Tom McKimmie and Max Hemphill were all working tirelessly in an attempt to create scoring opportunities however a number of missed chances in front of the big sticks was deflating for the Pigeons.
Trailing by five goals at the main break, the Pigeons coaching staff shuffled the magnets around and instructed their players to release the shackles and try to put some scoreboard pressure back on the Tigers.
Jess Koopman, pictured in last years grand final, was one of Yarrawonga’s goal scorers.
Although showing glimpses of good football, the Pigeons simply did not have enough winners around the ground to string it all together.
Albury far too strong on the day, running out comfortable 62-points winners in which was a real eye opener for the Pigeons Reserves.
Yarrawonga will look forward to regaining some key players as they head to Bunton Park on Sunday to take on the in-form Wangaratta Magpies.
