Sky's the limit for Pigeons

Goals: Yarrawonga: Jess Koopman 4, Bailey Frauenfelder, Tim Lawrence, Jackson Meade, Harry Wheeler 2, Lach Howe, Willie Wheeler 1.

Wangaratta Rovers: Alex Marklew 3, Elijah Amery 1, Cody Schutt 1, Jack Gerrish 1, Jake McQueen 1.

Best: Yarrawonga: Leigh Masters, Nicholas Fothergill, Harrison Wheeler, Ryan Einsporn, Brayden Coburn, Bailey Frauenfelder.

Wangaratta Rovers: Tristan Lenaz, Raven Joliffe, Dylan Wilson, Jace McQuade, Cody Schutt, Michael Clark.

There is a special hype building around the Yarrawonga Pigeons as they march strongly towards September.

The Pigeons' belief continues to grow after overpowering the Wangaratta Rovers, pulling away to score a brilliant 46-point victory at the JC Lowe Oval on Saturday afternoon.

In a bid to take a step closer to securing a top 3 position on the ladder, the Pigeons produced one of their better performances of the season, opening up the Rovers late in the game to run away with a convincing victory.

The Pigeons were forced to make three changes to their line-up against the Rovers. Jack Sexton was promoted to the Richmond VFL side whilst Logan Morey and Ned Pendergast were ruled out with illness and injury.

The Pigeons were able to welcome back Jordan Urquhart and Jackson Meade into the clash after strong performances in the Reserves whilst Will Sexton was also available for the home game.

In a hard-fought contest in the early stages of the game, both teams took the first quarter to find their feet, both only managing to register one major each.

Midfielders Michael Gibbons and Harry Wheeler were the Pigeons best players in the opening term. Gibbons racked up 8 quality disposals early whilst Wheeler had 7 of his own which included the Pigeons only goal.

The second term began with Captain Leigh Masters taking total control of the game in the air for the Pigeons. The Skipper took three towering intercept grabs in defence within the first three minutes of the term to steady the ship for the Pigeons.

Up forward, it was Jess Koopman who was back to his crafty best, soccering a ball in mid-air from the goal square to kick the Pigeons first of five goals for the term.

Koopman then followed up a short time later with an astonishing 45-metre set-shot from the boundary line to well and truly give the Pigeons the momentum.

After a quick reply from the Rovers, momentum remained with Yarrawonga as they were able to kick the next three goals of the quarter. Two of these came through Tim Lawrence, who was rewarded with his relentless pressure, punishing the Rovers on turnover and hitting the scoreboard with his tidy left boot.

Koopman yet again bobbed up minutes before the half time siren to slot through his third of the quarter and give the Pigeons a handy 29-point lead at the main break.

Leigh Masters was running amok for the Pigeons and was a clear best on ground in the first half with 16 disposals, 11 of which came in the second term which included 5 intercept marks.

The Wangaratta Rovers raised the fight in the third term, outscoring the Pigeons 4 goals to 2. The Pigeons were well served throughout the quarter, with Bailey Frauenfelder and Jackson Meade both hitting the scoreboard.

Fraunfelder launched a 50-metre set shot in front of the Brendan Fevola Can Bar whilst Meade crumbed a ball cleverly off hands in the goal square.

With the lead cut back to just 16-points at three quarter time, the thoughts of the Pigeons players no doubt flashed back to round four, when the Pigeons gave up a 40-point lead to the Rovers. Was history going to be repeated?

Well, the Pigeons put that question to bed in scintillating fashion. Harry Wheeler led from the front, receiving a clever handball from coach Whiley to then slide one through on the run from 35 meters out.

Big man Lach Howe was then rewarded a downfield free kick a short time later and extended the margin even further.

Enter Bailey Frauenfelder. The electric half forward stunned the Rovers and ignited the crowd as he produced two dynamic goals in front of the jam-packed hill that was filled with the Pigeons Reserves team.

The best goal celebrator in the Ovens and Murray put the game away for the Pigeons in incredible fashion. With the game well and truly iced, Jackson Meade was able to chime in and boot through another on the run thanks to a Nick Fothergill run down tackle whilst Willie Wheeler decided he wanted the final lick of the ice-cream, nailing an absolute beauty from the set-shot as the Pigeons soared away with the 46-point victory.

Reserves

Yarrawonga 10.3.63 defeated Wangaratta Rovers 7.8.50.

The Pigeons Reserves have knocked off the previously undefeated Wangaratta Rovers by 13-points in a brilliant display of team first football at the JC Lowe Oval.

With forced changes made to the senior team, this meant the Reserves would also take a hit to their starting line-up.

However, this provided an opportunity for three under 18’s players to step up. Sam Hemphill, Oscar Elliot and Hunter Frauenfelder all played unbelievably important roles for the Pigeons and their ability to impact the game did not go unnoticed.

Matt McCabe proved yet again he is “Mr Versatile” as this week he was thrown another challenge to compete in the ruck. McCabe, who is in a fine patch of form, flourished in the role, arguably notching up consecutive best on ground performances with his high-flying marking and ball use across the ground.

The Pigeons began the game on the right foot, booting through 4 goals to the Rovers 1. Ross Mulquiney was busy up forward whilst newcomer to the team Wade Demasi showed great skills, impacting the game immediately.

At the quarter time break, the Pigeons were praising the efforts of Doug Arnold, who set the tone for the Pigeons with his in and under grunt work and ability to compete in all contests. Hayden Cartwright yet again has shown he is able to sneak forward and hit the scoreboard. Cartwright booted through two goals for the afternoon, both at critical times in the game.

The second term was even more positive for the Pigeons as they were able to extend on their lead. Xavier Leslie, Zec Cuppens and Reed Bonat were all contributing strongly through the midfield whilst Ryan Bruce, after returning from injury, was having a big impact on the game off half back.

The lead for Yarrawonga stretched out to as much at 39-points in the second half before the Wangaratta Rovers put in a late challenge.

Although the Rovers were able to boot through the last four goals of the game, Yarrawonga never looked like losing as they remained poised and composed in the late stages of the game.

The Pigeons now turn their attention to another tough encounter against the third placed Wodonga Bulldogs, who were able to pull off a draw the last time they met.

Goals: Jack Brooks, Hayden Cartwright, Ross Mulquiney 2, Reed Bonat, Wade Demasi, Zec Cuppens, Matt McCabe 1.

Best: Matt McCabe, Ryan Bruce, Douglas Arnold, Zechariah Cuppens, Xavier Leslie, Reed Bonat.

Thirds

Yarrawonga 4.8.32 defeated by Wangaratta Rovers 11.6.72.

The Yarrawonga Under 18’s headed into the match against the Wangaratta Rovers boosted in numbers, with three players back from school in Melbourne.

The Pigeons began the game in fine style, putting the Rovers straight onto the back foot with three early goals.

Hunter Frauenfelder was everywhere early and looked set for a big day at the office, whilst Jobe Kennedy had his first game back in the hoops after knee surgery and found himself on the end of a loose ball to slot one through.

The Pigeons rallying behind Kennedy with a fantastic goal celebration.

Tom Gorman was able to provide the midfielders with first use in the ruck with his superior height and strength whilst Zac Fraser played a fantastic game through the midfield with tireless work rate and clever skills.

Oscar Elliott was yet again a brilliant contributor all day, attacking the ball with no fear and setting up play for his teammates. Elliot is expected to feature high up in the Pigeons Best and Fairest as he has been a consistent performer all year.

Ethan Byrnes was back from holidays and was fantastic at full back. Byrne was very well supported by Harry Nagle and Tom Oliver who all continue to grow as each game passes.

After such a positive first half, the Pigeons were unable to sustain their effort for the four quarters, as the Rovers proved too strong with more contributors across the board.

The Pigeons faded out to be defeated by 40-points at the JC Lowe Oval.

Goals: Hunter Frauenfelder 2, Hunter Surrey, Jobe Kennedy 1.

Best: Hunter Frauenfelder, Harry Nagle, Oscar Elliott, Ethan Byrne, Zac Fraser, Tom Oliver.

The winner of the YFNC Past Players Gate Raffle was Peter Duncan of Yarrawonga with ticket 2287.