North Albury 0.2, 4.2, 5.5, 7.7.49.
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Yarrawonga 3.6, 5.8, 12.12, 15.16.106.
Goals: North Albury: Carter Norman 2, Jack Penny 2, Isaac Campbell 1, Izak Gejas 1, Callum Pattinson 1.
Yarrawonga: Leigh Williams 6, Will Sexton 2, Nick Fothergill 2, Leigh Masters 1, Ryan Bruce 1, Tim Lawrence 1, Mark Whiley 1, Lach Howe 1.
Best: North Albury: George Godde, Foster Gardiner, Archer Gardiner, Sam Azzi, Connor Bradbury, Julian Hayes.
Yarrawonga: Jack Sexton, Leigh Williams, Mark Whiley, Nicholas Fothergill, Lach Howe, Logan Morey.
The Yarrawonga Pigeons have secured the four points against North Albury in a scrappy affair at Bunton Park.
With a strong and clear focus on defence first heading into the round 16 clash, the Pigeons were able to restrict their opponents to just seven goals for the entire game.
Dominant around the ball early, the Pigeons immediately put the Hoppers on the back foot with lethal Leigh Williams looming ominous for yet another big day at the office. Williams booted the first of the day with a classy check side to open proceedings.
An opportunity to blow the Hoppers out of the water early went begging, as the Pigeons squandered numerous shots on goal in the opening quarter.
Williams managed to kick 2 majors in the quarter whilst Will Sexton was also able to hit the scoreboard in the Pigeons three goal opening quarter.
Yarrawonga were outplayed by a determined Hoppers outfit in the second quarter. The home side were able to kick 4 goals to the Pigeons 2 and reduce the margin to just 12 points at the half time interval.
The Hoppers were making the most of their inside fifty entries, seemingly kicking a goal every time the ball entered.
The Pigeons were being well served by Nick Fothergill and Jack Sexton who were both working tirelessly in their respective roles. Fothergill was able to hit the scoreboard whilst Sexton was gathering possessions at will.
The half time break proved to be just what the doctor ordered for the Pigeons as they were able to re-group and regain control of the game in the second half despite the Hoppers being the first team to hit the scoreboard in the third quarter.
The Pigeons response was immediate as Fothergill was the one to ignite the Pigeons with a beautiful set shot goal from long range. Tim Lawrence then marked strongly inside fifty from the Harry Wheeler centre clearance to boot through another.
Goals to Leigh Masters and Williams in quick succession and suddenly, the Pigeons had kicked four unanswered goals in seven minutes of play. Goals to Ryan Bruce, Lach Howe and Williams on the siren meant the Pigeons had opened up a 49-point lead with 7 unanswered goals at three quarter time.
Logan Morey and Jye Cross were playing great games for the Pigeons down back both taking several intercept marks to repel the Hopper attacks whilst Ryan Bruce was playing a pivotal role between the arcs with his hard running and link up play.
Mark Whiley was another putting in a strong performance across the day. Whiley’s hard work was rewarded when he snapped through the first goal of the final quarter with class and poise.
Leigh Williams booted through the final two goals of the day taking him to a total of 58 for the season in just nine games of football. Williams currently sits four goals clear of Callum Moore for the Doug Strang Medal with two rounds remaining.
Yarrawonga will now be hoping to sharpen right up as the countdown to finals begins. The Pigeons will have the ideal preparation heading into finals with home and away games against Albury and Wangaratta Magpies still to come.
The YFNC are celebrating their 2012 premierships this weekend at the JC Lowe Oval against the Albury Tigers. The Pigeons took home the Seniors, Reserves and A Grade flags 10 years ago and will be reminiscing about that magical day this Saturday.
Disposals: J Sexton 29, R Bruce 23, M Whiley 23, W Sexton 21, H Wheeler 21.
Reserves
North Albury 0.0.0 defeated by Yarrawonga 23.12.150.
Yarrawonga Reserves defeated the North Albury Hoppers by 150 points at Bunton Park on Saturday afternoon.
In a completely one-sided affair, the Pigeons blew the Hoppers away with a 10-goal opening quarter in only 15 minutes of play due to reduced numbers on the field.
The Pigeons showed great sportsmanship as two ultimate clubmen in Ross Mulquiney and Craig ‘Hornet’ Frauenfelder decided to help the Hoppers out and join them for the remainder of the game.
Ned Pendergast was dominant early, slotting through four majors on his own in the first quarter. The game provided opportunities for different faces to get a run throughout the midfield however it was the likes of Griffiths, Cuppens and Forge who were dominating the clearances.
Matt McCabe yet again showed his versatility by having a strong stint in the ruck and providing the midfielders with first use of the footy for much of the afternoon.
Up forward, it was Max Hemphill and Tyler Lovell who were most dangerous alongside Pendergast. Hemphill and Lovell both slotted through five goals each and are both in great goal kicking form heading into the pointy end of the season.
Jordan Urquhart and Doug Arnold continue to play consistent football and are both on the border of senior selection along with a host of others.
The Pigeons are looking forward to taking on the much improved third placed Albury Tigers this week in what looms to be a great contest.
Several names are expected to return for the big clash including Xavier Leslie, Jacob Adkins and David O’Dywer.
Goals: Ned Pendergast 6, Max Hemphill, Tyler Lovell 5, Jack Forge 3, Reed Bonat, Zec Cuppens, Craig Frauenfelder, Jordan Urquhart 1.
Best: Ned Pendergast, Tyler Lovell, Reid Clarke, Connor Griffiths, Zechariah Cuppens, Matt McCabe.
Thirds
North Albury 4.5.29 defeated by Yarrawonga 6.8.48.
The Pigeons have held off a second half surge by the North Albury Hoppers to claim a 15-point victory at Bunton Park.
Yarrawonga were able to fly out of the blocks early with a 5 goal to none first half with multiple players stepping up to hit the scoreboard.
Oscar Elliot, who has had a brilliant season continued his great form leading the charge for the Pigeons. Elliot’s tireless work rate allows him to get to more contests than most throughout the course of a game.
Hudson Gillies enjoyed a change of scenery, moving up forward and slotting through two important majors for the Pigeons. A stronger contribution across the board allowed the Pigeons to control the contest for its majority.
A late push from the Hoppers came late however the Pigeons leaders in Hemphill, Frauenfelder and Nagle ensured the Pigeons came away with the four points.
Facing the ladder leaders in Albury this week is going to be no easy feat, however the Pigeons have made a point of taking a big scalp before the season is completed and they won't get any better chance than this week against the Tigers at the JC Lowe Oval.
Goals: Hudson Gillies 2, Hunter Frauenfelder, Griffin Surrey, Sam Hemphill, Jyda House 1.
Best: Oscar Elliott, Connor Phibbs, Hunter Frauenfelder, Sam Hemphill, Griffin Surrey, Harry Nagle.
Yarrawonga Chronicle