Pigeons claim rumble on the river

Goals: Yarrawonga: Nick Fothergill 3, Michael Gibbons 3, Perry Lewis-Smith 2, Jordan Urquhart 2, Bailey Frauenfelder 1, Ned Pendergast 1, Kyal Tyson 1, Leigh Williams 1.

Corowa Rutherglen: Darcy Hope 2, Sam Dunstan 1, Jesse Johnston 1.

Best: Yarrawonga: Perry Lewis-smith, Daniel Howe, Harrison Wheeler, Nicholas Fothergill, Leigh Masters, Michael Gibbons.

Corowa Rutherglen: Darcy Hope, Brady Morton, Jesse Johnstone, Mak Lavis, Joe Hansen, Tom Forrest.

It was a damp, cold and windy old day at the JC Lowe Oval on Saturday afternoon however that didn’t stop the Yarrawonga Pigeons from getting the job done against Corowa-Rutherglen with a 72 point victory to remain three games clear on top of the Ovens and Murray Football League ladder.

The Pigeons were excited to welcome back Did Simpson Medallist Michael Gibbons into the line-up after a two month injury hiatus.

Gibbons began the game in the midfield and was instantly impactful, dishing off a handball to the running Dan Howe who slotted through the first of the day with class on the run.

Small forward Nick Fothergill was back to doing what he does best in the front half of the field. Fothergill was able to find space inside fifty on multiple occasions and was rewarded with two first quarter goals.

Fellow small forward Jess Koopman was also lively early with a number of touches to go with one major for the quarter.

Some say that the wet weather makes the better players stand out even more from the rest. Well, this certainly was the case as both Michael Gibbons and Nick Fothergill were making it look like a dry weather game as the rain tumbled down.

The pair both slotted remarkable left foot snap goals in the slippery conditions within one minute of each other in the same pocket as the Pigeons began to kick away from the Roos.

In the absence of Lach Howe, Ben Coghill and Kyal Tyson were given the ruck duties and both had a strong impact around the ground with the latter hitting the scoreboard in the second quarter.

Big guns Leigh Williams and Perry Lewis-Smith warmed up as the game went on. Williams was instrumental in unselfishly setting up his teammates in front of goal whilst Lewis-Smith continued his hot streak of form, finishing the game with 39 disposals and 2 goals.

The Pigeons blew the game out of the water by half time with an 8 goal lead in the wet conditions.

Arguably full back of the year Ned Pendergast was swung forward in the second half whilst key forward Matt Casey was moved to centre half back.

Pendergast showed his forward craft and was able to hit the scoreboard and celebrated accordingly too.

The midfield brigade continue to lead the way for the Pigeons in season 2024. Harry Wheeler has had yet another consistent season and was brilliant again with 29 touches.

Dan Howe has been ultra-consistent for a large chunk of the season. Howe racked up 26 disposals for the day, half of these being contested.

The Pigeons were able to finish off the game reasonably strongly with a six goal to two second half to run out comfortable 72-point winners.

Yarrawonga will now freshen up with the bye to then turn their focus to a run of four straight games before finals.

OakFM Player of the Year

Votes for Yarra’s win on Saturday were: 5 Perry Lewis Smith, 4 Leigh Masters, 3 Dan Howe, 2 Harry Wheeler, 1 Nick Fothergill

Leaderboard: Isaac Muller (Alb) leads with 40 votes with Tim Broomhead (NA) on 30.

Reserves

Yarrawonga 34.14.218 def Corowa Rutherglen 3.0.18.

The Yarrawonga Reserves have notched up their biggest win by margin with a 200-point victory over the Corowa-Rutherglen Roos.

Buzz Brear, a well-known figure around Yarrawonga circles, is the team manager in amongst a variety of other roles at the club.

However on Saturday he pulled on the blue and white hoops for the first time in 9 years.

“Buzz” didn’t take long to get into the thick of things with his natural goal sense taking over the game. Brear finished the day with three goals straight which included snaps, bananas and set shots.

His comeback game took over social media and even got a run on the Sunday Rub Triple M segment “Hitch My Caravan” to which senior coach Steve Johnson believes this will be Buzz’s last ever game and will be retired to the paddock.

Ross Mulquiney hit the scoreboard heavily with 7 goals to his name whilst Brock McCabe and Todd Muldoon featured heavily on the goal kickers list also.

Through the middle, it was Will Robinson, Lochie Forge and Tom McKimmie who were dominant.

The trio were being treated to silver service from Matt McCabe, Geoff Montgomery and Mac Pendergast who all had stints in the ruck.

The Pigeons big win keeps them two points clear in the top five as they reach the bye.

Goals: Ross Mulquiney 8, Brock McCabe 5, Todd Muldoon 4, Bailey Brear 3, Lochie Forge 3, Matt Grinter 2, Tom McKimmie 2, Will Robinson 2, Fraser Haintz 1, Marcus Hargreaves 1, Jack James 1, Matt McCabe 1, Matt Nieuwenhout 1.

Best: Lochie Forge, Brock McCabe, Tom McKimmie, Ross Mulquiney, Will Robinson, Fraser Haintz.

Thirds

Yarrawonga 2.1, 6.5, 8.10, 10.11.71.

Corowa Rutherglen 3.0, 5.4, 6.4, 7.7.49.

Goals: Yarrawonga: Jack Eales 4, Mitchell Parker 2, Zac Forge 1, Gus Saunders 1, Ryder Stevens 1, Griffin Surrey 1.

Corowa Rutherglen: Isaac Dickinson 3, Brodie Eyers 1, Will Gannon 1, Jack Keys 1, Judd Kuschert 1.

Best: Yarrawonga: Ryder Stevens, Charlie Rae, Jack Eales, Xavier Mitchell, Mitchell Parker, Zac Forge.

Corowa Rutherglen: Isaac Dickinson, Lenny Hill, Rory Beattie, Declan Thomson, Lucas Tafft, Jonah Massey-chase.

Pigeons Loft

Well the middle of winter has passed and August is nearly upon us.

As always, the winter presented a testing time with player availability, whether that be in 3rd XVIII or junior netball. Between holidays, unavailability and illness, winter always throws up interesting results and those stolen wins here and there against a more fancied opponent the key to securing those elusive finals spots or double chances.

In 2024 each of the YFNC open age teams are vying for a finals spot with each currently in the five. But this last month will be crucial.

Good luck to all the Pigeons out there as the season starts to turn and spring evolves noting selection is always tight come September, no doubt this season will be no different as the niggles seem to be so much easier to overcome come the business end of the season.

On Saturday against Corowa, the club took home 7 from 8 wins. In particular, it was great to see the 3rd XVIII and U15s start the day for the Pigeons with solid wins.

In the 2nd XVIII B. Brear dusted off the boots and troubled the goal umpire no end.

The A Grade match was the game of the day and the Pigeon seven did just enough to keep Corowa at bay! It was great to see!

On Friday, August 2 the YFNC is hosting its annual golf and sportsman’s night at the Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort teeing off at midday.

$150 per head or $600 for your own four. This gets you 18 holes (shot gun start/finish) an all-inclusive meal and drinks package and a comedy show from the Nelson Twins.

Please contact the club to make a booking whether a single, duo or foursome.

We take this opportunity to thank our major partners: ClubMulwala, Kennedy Builders, Belmores, betr, RuralCo, the Play Project, Yarrawonga Holiday Park, Yarrawonga Hotel and BG Finance.

Thursday Nights

In Season 2024 the Thursday night teas will continue each Thursday night before an Ovens and Murray match.

Awards – Football

1sts Perry Lewis-Smith, 2nds Bailey Brear, 3rds Ryder Stevens.

Awards – Netball

These awards in 2024 will again be brought to by the Yarrawonga Hotel, Bella Pelle and Mint Boutique.