Yarrawonga Junior Football

The ever improving under 12’s travelled to Birralee Park on Sunday to take on Raiders Red in what turned out to be a cold wet day at Wodonga.

With Yarrawonga’s rotation of players being an evolving team from week to week, the Pigeons went with a side dominated by first year players and aided by the steady hand and experience of some top age boys.

Well, when given the opportunity to shine the team played a style of wet weather footy that was effective in the ball movement, team orientated and unselfish.

The boys got control early in the match and continually pushed the ball to the forward advantage in the slippery conditions.

The 1% actions from all players enabled the ball carrier the opportunity to get clean hands on the ball, not to blaze away but rather raise the eyes, find a teammate and deliver in order to retain possession.

Yarrawonga were extremely impressed not only with the team as a whole but on a day where there was more bottom age players than top age, the younger boys really stood up and found a confidence that will stick with them into next year.

Their willingness to function as team is not going unnoticed by the opposition with the Raiders coaches again commenting on the Pigeons boys’ teamwork. It’s a credit to the boys.

The highlight of the game was spiritual leader Darcy Fasoli getting his hands on well-constructed handball from Mac Hargreaves in the goal square.

He dodged two then turned onto his right foot and with a Stevie J checkside snap, he slotted his first goal for the Pigeons.

The excitement from the whole team and staff lifted the roof at Biralee Park. Just another example of the unselfish acts that bring this team together. Well played boys.

Harley Bramich and Kai Pettit both had their best games for the year. Both found another level from themselves and the Pigeons celebrated that in the awards.

Harley with his strong marking and contested ball and Kai getting in the action and dishing out clever handballs to a running player, gave Yarrawonga plenty of drive off halfback.

Yarrawonga take on Albury at home next Sunday. This will be the biggest challenge yet so let’s get excited.

Goals: Harry Wren 3, Mac Hargreaves 3, Benji Wollington 2, Ned Saunders 2, Darcy Fasoli 1, Harley Bramich 1, Roley Brear 1, Trey Doric 1, Wally Hammon 1.

Best: Wally Hammon, Harry Wren, Sam Cummins, Harry Ramsdale, Mac Hargreaves and Taj Parker.

Awards: Harley Bramich, Darcy Fasoli and Kai Pettit.

Under 14s

Wodonga Raiders 2.4.16 def by Yarrawonga 8.8.56.

The Yarra Under 14 side travelled up to Wodonga on Sunday to verse an inform Raiders side.

The boys played consistent all day in the drizzly conditions, keeping constant pressure on Wodonga.

Yarra took the lead early and held it all game with consistent goal scoring.

The coaches Nathan and Jamie were extremely pleased with the boys’ efforts, following instructions all game and playing to the conditions with their efforts at training are coming through on game days.

Goals: D Skehan 1, C McCarty 2, C Webster 1, Z Bramich 3, C Clark 1.

Coaches’ awards: C Stephens, C Clark, M Vodusek.

Under 16s

Wodonga Raiders 3.8.26 def by Yarrawonga 4.6.30.

The Yarra Under 16 boys travelled to Birallee Park Wodonga to take on the Wodonga Raiders.

It was a crunch game with both teams on 5 wins each and a chance to play finals footy going to the eventual winner.

In true winter sports, conditions were bleak with misty rain throughout the game whilst the centre of the oval resembled a mud bath more than an oval due to heavy rain overnight.

The Yarra boys started well gaining an 8 point break at the 1st quarter. Raiders came back hard and regained the lead at half time by 6 points. In what could only be described as a war of attrition the Yarra boys slowly reduced the difference to 1 point at 3 quarter time.

The pressure was on in the last as 2 evenly matched teams desperately fought it out. To the Yarra boys credit their perseverance and will to win finally got them over the line by 4 points at the final siren.

Sam Bigger put in a huge effort running hard all day as he repeatedly got the hard ball out of the packs and pushed forward to his team’s advantage.

Jobe Fraser continued his good form provided a target up forward and kicking 2 match winning goals. Jordan Ibbott dominated the ruck throughout the match and was a strong presence all over the ground.

Will Murphy also stood out, playing his usual hard running game on the wing. Xavier Mitchell was like a brick wall down the back line cutting off many Raiders forward entries.

Ryder Stevens played yet another great game as he utilised his slick ball skills to keep the ball moving forward and he was well backed up by Miller Smith who also stood out, playing a vital role across half forward taking some great marks in the wet slippery conditions as well as hitting the ball hard in the packs.

Also in what could only be described as a match winning move, team trainer Gill Murphy provided a warm face washer at each of the breaks to wipe the mud out of the boy’s eyes.

The boys appreciated being able to see again at the start of each quarter.

Goals: Jobe Fraser 2, Archie Skehan 1, Miller Smith 1.

Best: Jobe Fraser, Jordan Ibbott, Sam Bigger, Ryder Stevens, Will Murphy and Xavier Mitchell.

Awards: Sam Bigger - Lake Cafe & Wine Co, Will Murphy Club Award, Jordan Ibbott - Intersport Wingates and Miller Smith - YMH sock award.