Pigeons dig deep for big win

Best: Cameron Wilson, Harrison Wheeler, Brad Ryan, Will Reinhold, Zac Fraser, Charley McKenna

There are wins on the football field, and then there are wins that tell you something about a club.

Yarrawonga’s 28-point victory over Wodonga at the Grove Oval on Saturday was certainly the latter.

On a perfect day for football and netball, the Pigeons produced one of their most impressive performances of the season, overcoming a Wodonga side that had plenty to play for and, more importantly, doing it with a playing group that continues to be stretched by injury.

It was the Pigeons’ second-last home game of the season, and while the crowd may have been impacted by the nonsensical live-streaming of the match, those who made their way to the Grove were treated to a terrific afternoon of football and netball, as well as a performance that should give the entire YFNC community plenty of encouragement heading towards the business end of the season and into season 2027.

The first half of the football was hardly one for the highlight reel. Both sides appeared to be feeling each other out, much like prize fighters circling without being able to land the telling blow.

Wodonga eventually found some momentum in the second term, kicking four goals to take a 12-point advantage into the main break.

Whatever coach Leigh Williams and his coaching staff said at half-time certainly struck a chord.

The Pigeons emerged from the rooms with a renewed intensity, lifting their pressure around the contest and beginning to dictate where the game was played.

Cameron Wilson provided the early spark, kicking a goal that gave the Pigeons belief.

Ten minutes later, Ben Coghill added another after the Pigeons had peppered the goals without reward.

The scoreboard did not quite tell the story of the third quarter.

Yarrawonga eventually finished the term with two goals and six behinds, but it could easily have been four goals and four behinds, and with a little more accuracy, perhaps even six goals and two behinds.

The important thing, however, was that the opportunities were being created.

The Pigeons’ pressure had Wodonga on the hop, and the territory battle had swung decisively in Yarrawonga’s favour.

That pressure would continue into the final term.

The first half of the quarter was another frustrating exercise in front of goal, with Yarrawonga adding four behinds before Bailey Frauenfelder finally put the margin beyond doubt with a goal to make it 21 points.

Remarkably, it was only moments earlier that Wodonga had registered its first score of the second half, with the Dogs managing just 1.1 after the main break in total.

At the other end, Brad Ryan was given the job on Wodonga’s dangerous Spiteri and seemingly had every move covered, while the Yarrawonga back six worked well as a unit.

Then came the moment that put the exclamation mark on the afternoon.

At around the 13-minute mark, Charley McKenna rose spectacularly in the goal square to take a contender for mark of the year before calmly converting the set shot.

The margin was 27 points and, effectively, the game was over.

McKenna finished with two goals, while Coghill also contributed two majors for the day.

But while the scoreboard will record the 28-point win against the likely third-place finisher, perhaps the most pleasing aspect for the Pigeons will be the manner in which the young players and those asked to play different roles stood up.

The 2026 season was one in which the club, through Matthew O’Dwyer and Xavier Leslie, made a concerted effort to strengthen its list and build greater depth, both internally and externally, following the extensive injury toll of 2025.

Few could have predicted that the injury list could become even more challenging in 2026.

As the season enters its final two rounds, Yarrawonga has been forced to contend with 16 players from its first 32 jumpers being unavailable.

Despite this toll, the Pigeons have beaten Myrtleford, a fellow finalist, North Albury, currently seventh, and Wodonga, currently third, over the last three games to secure a finals berth.

Yet instead of allowing those absences to define the season, Williams and his coaching staff have continued to find solutions.

Young players have been asked to fill important roles, experienced players have been shifted around the ground and, perhaps most importantly, the group continues to understand what its teammates are trying to do.

That was particularly evident through the midfield on Saturday.

Wilson, Zac Fraser and the Wheeler brothers, Harry and Willy, took full advantage of the dominance provided by Jack Elliott in the ruck and the welcome return of Lach Howe.

Wilson was outstanding, collecting 30 possessions, including 12 contested possessions, taking eight marks, laying 16 tackles and kicking two goals.

Fraser was equally influential with 27 possessions, 17 of them contested, eight marks and two goals.

Harry Wheeler finished with 25 possessions and 16 contested possessions, while Willy Wheeler had 24 possessions, 11 contested possessions and a superb 11 clearances.

In the ruck, Jack Elliott continued his strong form with 49 hitouts, while Lach Howe made an invaluable return with 17 hitouts.

The numbers tell the story, with Yarrawonga dominating the hitouts 76-28 and winning the clearances 50-33.

Howe’s return cannot be overstated.

With the need for additional support forward and to give Elliott assistance in the ruck, Lach was thrown into the number 12 jumper and, seemingly without fuss, slipped back into the role required of him, ditching the wig and gown.

It was another example of what this Pigeons group is becoming — adaptable, connected and prepared to do whatever is required for the team.

That perhaps is the greatest compliment that can be paid to Williams and his coaching staff.

Over the past three games, Yarrawonga has faced two sides chasing a double chance, as well as another opponent that came into the weekend having defeated a top-three contender.

Despite the adversity, the Pigeons have remained in the contest and are now playing a brand of football that is becoming increasingly predictable to each other.

Players know where the next contest will be, where the next option is coming from and, most importantly, that the player beside them will compete.

For a club dealing with the sort of injury list Yarrawonga has carried through 2026, that is no small achievement.

Saturday’s win was therefore about much more than four premiership points.

It was a celebration of depth, resilience and the willingness of young players to step into important roles when their club needs them most.

It was a celebration of coaching and preparation. On a perfect afternoon at the Grove, it was another reminder that this Pigeons team is not prepared to let adversity dictate how its season finishes.

Reserves

Wodonga 9.11 65 defeated Yarrawonga 3.7 25

Goals: Andrew Dickins, Lewis Henley, Todd Muldoon

Best: Jeremy Packer, Tom Dowling, Sonny Sneddon, Matt McCabe, Todd Muldoon, Lewis Henley

The Yarrawonga reserves gave themselves every chance of pulling off an upset against Wodonga on Saturday, but ultimately could not withstand the pressure as the Dogs ran away in the final quarter.

For much of the afternoon, the Pigeons showed the effort and commitment required of a side fighting to keep its finals hopes alive.

Yarrawonga started strongly and competed hard through the opening half.

At times, it felt as though the dam wall was about to burst, with Wodonga applying sustained pressure and repeatedly pushing the ball forward.

But the Pigeons’ defence simply refused to yield.

Jeremy Packer led from the back, while Tom Dowling and Matt McCabe were also good as the defensive unit repeatedly repelled Wodonga attacks.

The trio, along with Todd Muldoon and Lewis Henley, were among Yarrawonga’s best performers.

Time and again, the Pigeons’ defenders were asked to absorb pressure, and they continued to find a way to keep the Dogs from converting their opportunities.

Unfortunately, the effort being produced at the other end of the ground was not enough to give the defenders the support they needed.

The half-forward line struggled to compete consistently and, perhaps more importantly, was unable to bring the ball to ground often enough to allow the defence some much-needed respite.

As the pressure mounted, the workload on the back six became increasingly difficult to sustain.

Eventually, in the final quarter, the dam wall broke and Wodonga found the space and opportunities it had been searching for throughout the afternoon and kicked away, turning what had been a competitive contest into a big margin.

For the Pigeons, the result was particularly disappointing because of what had been at stake.

The loss effectively ended the reserves’ hopes of playing finals football.

The challenge now is to make sure the disappointment becomes motivation and that the Pigeons finish the season in a manner that reflects the fight they showed for three quarters on Saturday.

Thirds

Yarrawonga 3.3 5.6 8.11 16.11 107 def Wodonga 1.2 4.3 7.4 8.5 53

Goals: Samuel Trembath 6, Connor McCarty 2, Connor Strawhorn 2, Lachlan Wren 2

Best: Cooper Clark, Samuel Trembath, Jai Sneddon, Archie Skehan, Malique Beer, Sonny Sneddon

For the young Yarrawonga Pigeons, Saturday morning’s clash with Wodonga had all the feel of a virtual elimination final, and for the first half, the football reflected that pressure.

With plenty on the line, the Pigeons knew they could not afford a slip-up, but the Dogs were equally determined to stay in the contest and refused to surrender an inch.

Yarrawonga started brightly, establishing periods of control and looking at times as though they might break the game open.

But every time the Pigeons threatened to gain some breathing space, Wodonga found a response.

The Dogs made the most of their opportunities in front of goal, ensuring that the Pigeons could never quite shake them.

Yarrawonga held a 13-point advantage at quarter-time, but that reduced to nine points at the major break and, in real terms, the game remained very much alive.

The Pigeons came out after the main break with a renewed purpose, lifting their intensity and beginning to take control of the contest.

The third quarter saw both sides add three goals, but the Pigeons had eight shots to the Dogs’ four.

It was in the final term that the young Pigeons really put their foot down, kicking accurately to score eight goals in the final quarter to just one from the Dogs, turning a competitive contest into a comprehensive 54-point victory.

Leading the charge in front of goal was Samuel Trembath, who continued his excellent recent form with a six-goal haul.

The two Connors, McCarty and Strawhorn, each contributed two goals, while Lachlan Wren also finished with two majors.

Cooper Clark continued his excellent form and was among Yarrawonga’s best.

Jai Sneddon and his brother Sonny were also prominent, with both making important contributions as the Pigeons gradually took control.

Archie Skehan and Malique Beer rounded out a strong group of performers.

Pigeons Loft

Club build towards finals

The Yarrawonga Football Netball Club is heading towards the business end of the season with four wins from eight games on Saturday, as both the football and netball sides battled through perfect winter conditions.

While the A Grade netballers and Second XVIII footballers were unable to get the results they were chasing, there were plenty of positives across the club, with the Thirds, C Grade, B Grade and Firsts all recording important victories.

With finals now approaching, the intensity is set to rise as the days get longer and every result carries greater significance.

Club takes a stand against domestic violence

The club also hosted its annual Round Against Domestic Violence last Saturday, reaffirming its commitment to raising awareness and standing against violence towards women.

The President’s Luncheon featured special guest speaker Phil Cleary, one of Australia’s most respected advocates for ending violence against women.

Cleary’s remarkable journey, from playing and coaching at Coburg to succeeding Bob Hawke in the federal seat of Wills and ultimately becoming a national voice calling on men to play their part in ending violence against women, provided a powerful and thought-provoking message for those in attendance.

The event highlighted the important role sporting clubs can play in creating awareness, encouraging respectful behaviour and supporting positive change within the wider community.

Final home game set for August 22

The club will celebrate its final home game of the season next Saturday, August 22, when Yarrawonga takes on Albury.

The occasion will also mark the club’s annual Day on the Green – Sponsor & Volunteers Day, one of the most anticipated events on the club calendar.

The afternoon provides an opportunity for the club to recognise and thank the many volunteers and sponsors who contribute throughout the season.

Their support, both on and off the field, continues to play an important role in making community football and netball possible.

Supporters are encouraged to head to the outer hill for an all-inclusive afternoon as the club celebrates another season and looks ahead to the finals campaign.

Thanks to the club’s major partners

The Yarrawonga Football Netball Club has also acknowledged the continued support of its major partners, whose contribution helps the club operate and provide opportunities for players, volunteers and the broader community.

The club extends its sincere thanks to ClubMulwala, Kennedy Builders, Belmores, BETR, Yarrawonga Ford, The Play Project, Yarrawonga Holiday Park, Yarrawonga Hotel and BG Finance.

As the regular season draws towards its conclusion, the club is looking forward to finishing strongly both on and off the field.

Important dates

Saturday, August 22 – Day on the Green | Sponsor & Volunteers Day | Yarrawonga v Albury

Thursday, September 24 – Presentation Night | ClubMulwala