Pigeons match Magpies before final-term fade

Wangaratta Best: Joel Stevens, Chris Knowles, Daniel Sharrock, Jack Mapleson, Aidan Tilley, Mathew Grossman.

Wangaratta Goals: 3 - James McClounan, 3 - Jack Mapleson, 3 - Joel Stevens, 2 - Aidan Tilley, 2 - Tyson Young.

Yarrawonga Goals: 4 -Leigh Wiliams, 2- Nick Fothergil.

Pigeons match Magpies before final-term fade

Yarrawonga produced some of its best football of the season for three quarters but was unable to withstand a powerful final-quarter surge from Wangaratta, going down 16.10 (106) to 10.10 (70) in cool conditions at Wangaratta on Saturday.

While the temperatures made life uncomfortable for the very small crowd, it was otherwise a good day for playing football.

Surprisingly, the attendance was well below what would normally be expected for a clash between two top-five sides heading toward the business end of season 2026.

The Pigeons started brightly, taking a seven-point lead into the first break after an entertaining opening quarter.

They continued to match the Magpies through the middle stages, with the scores level at half-time before Wangaratta edged ahead by seven points at the final change.

However, when the game reached its defining moments, the home side found another gear.

The Magpies slammed on six goals to one in the final quarter, exposing a few cracks in the Pigeons' armour and highlighting the class that has them among the competition's leading premiership contenders.

The return of Daniel Howe across half-back was a major positive for Yarrawonga.

After missing recent football, Howe provided composure and drive in defence, finishing with 19 possessions and seven marks.

Ben Coghill was another standout, standing tall after the Pigeons lost key defender Nick Irvine to a knee injury the previous week.

Wangaratta ruck Chris Knowles was influential throughout and controlled much of the midfield battle, making life difficult for the gritty Pigeons.

Despite that, Cameron Wilson, Zac Fraser and William Wheeler never stopped competing.

Fraser repeatedly found space where there appeared to be none, while Willie Wheeler's work at the coalface kept Yarrawonga in the contest. Wheeler finished with an impressive nine clearances, 19 possessions and 11 contested possessions.

Wilson collected 18 disposals, including 10 contested possessions, while Nicholas Fothergill added 18 touches and was lively around the ground.

Up forward, playing coach Leigh Williams carried much of the attacking load. Williams booted four goals and could easily have finished with an even bigger haul after some near misses in what was a tireless and influential performance.

Fothergill chipped in with two majors as the Pigeons battled hard to stay within striking distance before Wangaratta's final-quarter blitz settled the contest.

For Wangaratta, Joel Stevens, Chris Knowles, Daniel Sharrock, Jack Mapleson, Aidan Tilley and Mathew Grossman led the way. Mapleson, Stevens and James McClounan each kicked three goals, while Tilley added two.

Undermanned but resilient Reserves suffer defeat

Wangaratta 2.4, 5.7, 7.15, 12.18 (90) Yarrawonga 0.1, 0.2, 0.2, 0.2

Best: Matt McCabe, Xavier Mitchell, Jackson Hourigan, Tom Dowling, Lewis Henley, Jack McKay

An injury-hit Yarrawonga battled hard but was unable to match a strong Wangaratta outfit, going down 12.18 (90) to 0.2 (2) in the reserves at Wangaratta on Saturday.

The scoreboard was one-sided, but the Pigeons' effort could not be questioned as they continued to compete despite being well undermanned and suffering another significant setback early in the contest.

Key big man Andrew Dickins, who had been instrumental in keeping the Magpies at bay during the opening stages, was forced from the ground with a nasty injury. His loss left the Pigeons with an even bigger challenge against one of the competition's strongest reserves sides.

Despite the early blow, Yarrawonga refused to surrender. The visitors remained competitive throughout the first half, with their defensive pressure preventing Wangaratta from making the most of its opportunities.

The Magpies led by 35 points at the main break, but inaccurate kicking kept the Pigeons within reach.

Yarrawonga's defensive unit again stood tall in the third quarter, restricting Wangaratta's scoring despite repeated inside-50 entries.

In truth, the Pigeons were aided by the Magpies' wayward kicking, but the visitors' willingness to continue contesting every ball and working for one another was a feature of the afternoon.

Although good players were difficult to find in such trying circumstances, Matt McCabe battled tirelessly all day and was well supported by Xavier Mitchell, Jackson Hourigan, Tom Dowling, Lewis Henley and Jack McKay, who all continued to compete until the final siren.

While the result was disappointing, the Pigeons never dropped their heads and continued to fight out the contest against quality opposition.

With the finals race entering its decisive stage, Yarrawonga now faces a crucial fortnight, beginning with an important clash against the Hoopers before returning home to take on the Dogs.

Those matches loom as must-win encounters if the Pigeons are to keep their season alive.

Young Pigeons face must-win Clash after loss

Wangaratta 3.2, 4.8, 5.11, 9.16 (70) def Yarrawonga 0.2, 1.3, 2., 3.3 (21)

Best: Sonny Sneddon, Cooper Clark, Archie Skehan, Jai Sneddon, Malique Beer, Sefanaia Bainikoro.

Yarrawonga's hopes of securing a valuable double chance took a hit on Saturday after the Pigeons were outclassed by Wangaratta, falling 9.16 (70) to 3.3 (21) in the Under-18s clash at Wangaratta.

In a match carrying plenty of significance for the top end of the ladder, the Pigeons were below their best and struggled to match the intensity and work rate of a quality Magpies outfit.

While Wangaratta's inaccurate kicking kept the final margin to 49 points, the home side's dominance suggested the result could have been even more decisive.

Yarrawonga found it difficult to establish any sustained momentum as the Magpies continually won the race to the contest and spread well from stoppages.

Whether in defence or attack, the Pigeons were unable to match Wangaratta's hard running, with the Magpies consistently creating overlap and forcing Yarrawonga onto the back foot.

The Sneddon brothers, Sonny and Jai, fought hard throughout and never stopped competing, providing a contest when the game was slipping away.

Cooper Clark again demonstrated why he is one of the side's most reliable performers, lifting his intensity when the pressure was at its greatest and refusing to take a backward step.

Archie Skehan showed encouraging signs with several strong passages of play, while Malique Beer and Sefanaia Bainikoro also continued to work hard despite the difficult afternoon.

Unfortunately for the Pigeons, too much of the workload was left to too few players against a disciplined Wangaratta side that capitalised on its superior running power.

The loss leaves Yarrawonga with little margin for error heading into a crucial clash against Corowa-Rutherglen this weekend.

With the race for finals positions tightening, the Pigeons face a must-win encounter if they are to keep their double-chance aspirations alive and get their season back on track.

Pigheons Loft

President's Luncheon – Round Against Domestic Violence

On Saturday, 8 August, the club will again host its Round Against Domestic Violence, reaffirming its commitment to raising awareness and standing against violence towards women.

This year's President's Luncheon will feature special guest speaker Phil Cleary, one of Australia's most respected advocates for ending violence against women. Phil's remarkable life journey, from playing and coaching Coburg, succeeding Bob Hawke in the federal seat of Wills to becoming a national voice calling on men to be part of the solution, promises to deliver a powerful and thought-provoking presentation.

We encourage all members, sponsors and supporters to attend this important event. Please contact the club to reserve your seat.

Last Home Game – Sponsor & Volunteers Day

Our final home game of the season against Albury on Saturday, 22 August, will be our annual Day on the Green – Sponsor & Volunteers Day.

This is one of the club's favourite events on the calendar and our opportunity to thank the incredible volunteers and valued sponsors who make everything we do possible. Join us for an all-inclusive afternoon on the outer hill as we celebrate another season of community football and netball.

Thank You to Our Major Partners

The Yarrawonga Football Netball Club sincerely thanks our major partners for their continued support: ClubMulwala • Kennedy Builders • Belmores • BETR • Yarrawonga Ford • The Play Project • Yarrawonga Holiday Park • Yarrawonga Hotel • BG Finance

Important Dates