Pigeons out-flock the Emus

Before the game, both teams donned their blue Big Freeze beanies for the warm-up and a group photo.

Some of the EMUs even wore special Big Freeze socks.

All players wore blue armbands in honour and memory of the great Neale Daniher.

However, the MND fight was not the only reason this match was big.

Even with the Pigeons’ short history in AFL Masters, a healthy rivalry between the clubs has formed, and both teams were keen to win this one to avoid ‘winning’ the losers’ ‘Can Opener Cup’ which has become a feature of games between the two clubs.

At the first bounce, the EMU's started strongly, winning the clearance and moving the ball forward.

Full-forward Clint Jurey didn’t take long to get his hands on the ball, marking strongly and converting for a goal, both of which can be a challenge for him at times.

The game was then played on fairly even terms for a while, with both teams applying plenty of pressure around the ball.

The EMUs moved the ball around the ground well and through the midfield, with Matt Veitch and Josh Hunter racking up possessions aided by a solid performance from Paul Elso.

Yarrawonga more than matched this with their own quick ball movement and slowly started to gain ascendancy on the scoreboard.

Adam Richter and Robert Guerra both battled hard as they tag-teamed through the ruck all day against the Pigeons’ big man and former EMU Duane Kelly, while Craig Danswan, playing on the wing, laid some crucial tackles.

As the game wore on, the undermanned EMUs, who were missing key players in the likes of Drew Elliot, Tanner Christie, Chris Hagan, Vaz Sarup, Jon Beach and club captain Troy Ramsey to name just a few, struggled to keep up with the Pigeons and their lead slowly increased as the game progressed.

This forced recently retired coach, Lucas Walker, and club legend and life-member Jeff Abela to pull on the boots and take the field.

Both made it clear pretty much instantly that neither had lost any ability to get the pill.

After much talk and conjecture about when our "retired" coach would play again, those that had round 5 in the sweep, well done.

Damo Hammond and Garner Smith provided a solid wall across the EMU defensive line, thwarting plenty of the Yarrawonga attacks, but by the final term the Pigeons' relentless and quick ball movement proved too much for the EMUs.

The situation for the EMUs only got worse in the last quarter.

With blood pouring from a nasty cut around his eye following a huge collision late in the 3rd quarter, Dave Chapman was unable to take to the ground.

A massive blow for the EMUs with a star player sidelined and ultimately sealing their fate in terms of the final result.

In the end, Yarrawonga were just too good for the undermanned EMUs.

Talk after the game focused on the positives and the efforts of those that played, but also what could have been if those key players had played.

Fortunately for most of those players, we only have one "Burn Ya Mates" award each week.

Yarrawonga 12.12 (84) defeated EMUs 4.5 (29)

Awards

Echuca Workers Club Best On = Clint Jurey.

Caledonian Hotel = Francis "Jacko" O’Brien.

Moama Bowling Club = Johnny Arthur.

Dominoes Pizza = Matt Vietch.

Oarsome Fitness = Damo Hammond.

Echuca Stihl Shop Tool of the Week = Adam Richter.

EMU’s “Burn ya mates” = Chris Hagan (although many others were very lucky to not be awarded this).

Goal Kickers - Jurey x 2, Vietch x 2.

The EMUs now have a three-week break before returning to their home deck on Saturday, June 20 to face Macedon Ranges AFL Masters.

Training is every Wednesday night from 6pm at Echuca South Oval, new members (playing or non-playing) are always welcome.