By David Ball
Football
Yarra Glen travelled to Gembrook to take on a top 3 opponent. The day didn’t start well with 5 players from the selected team unable to take the field. Last-minute call-ups from the already
depleted reserves were required. Despite this Yarra Glen teamed well early in the first quarter, with Jason Godfrey winning in the ruck and midfielders Billy Gardner and Sam Horsley giving the forwards early chances. Callum Morison was running amok up forward, taking 3 strong marks and converting 3 for goals. Gembrook replied late in the quarter to take a 4-point lead into quarter time.
The early intensity and tackle pressure from the River Pigs started to wane and Gembrook was finding space to run into. Quick ball movement made it hard for the Yarra Glen defence and Myles Wareham was finding space and marking strongly and converting for 5 goals. Whilst Yarra Glen competed hard they were unable to maintain possession as they went forward. Gembrook rebounded well with the depleted River Pig lineup going down 15.13 to 3.4
The best players were Sam Horsley, Richard Wyles, Charlie Wood, Richard Gurney, Billy Gardner, Jimmy Marks and Callum Morison with 3 goals.
With the Yarra Glen reserves having to provide 5 players at short notice to the seniors, they did well to start the game with 17 players. They were really competitive in the first quarter with Zac and Nate Capuano and Brendan Davis winning plenty of the ball in the midfield. At quarter time Gembrook held a 3.1 to 0.1 lead, but in general play, Yarra Glen had their fair share of it. As a few players suffered injuries in the second quarter the lack of numbers made it difficult for the Yarra Glen boys to contain their stronger and more experienced opponents. Gembrook had some strong marking senior players up forward and with ample supply, they were able to convert easily to amass a 32.12 to 0.3 victory.
The best players for Yarra Glen were Zac Capuano, Nate Capuano, Brendan David, Liam Dwyer, Keith Gerovasilis and Jacob Reddaway.
Netball
Yarra Glen A Grade took on sixth-placed Gembrook. In the first quarter, they were outplayed by their lower-ranked opponents to be down 6-9 at the first break. From the second quarter on Yarra Glen worked their way on top, linking up well and outscoring their opponents in each quarter to build a 39-28 victory. The best players were Peta Fay, Chelsea Birchall and Steph Gibbs (28 goals).
B Grade, sitting third on the ladder faced the fifth-placed Gembrook outfit. It was a tight encounter with neither side able to forge ahead. At halftime Yarra Glen led by just 1 goal. They produced a great
3rd quarter to open up a 5-goal lead, eventually running out victors, 33- 29. Best were Kayla Collins, Kim Williams and Meaghan Carter
C Grade had a tough assignment against the third-placed Gembrook outfit without their full-strength lineup. Only 2 goals down at quarter time, they were showing plenty of spirit. The home team lifted
in the second and extended the lead to 8. Whilst Yarra Glen kept pace with their opponents throughout the balance of the game they were unable to close the gap and went down 27-39. The best players were Alex Bray, Sarah Orlandi and Jackie Gardner.
D grade jumped their opponents in the first, taking a 12-4 lead. Gembrook worked their way into the game, reducing the lead by 1 in the second and to 5 by 3 quarter time. Yarra Glen steadied in the last and held on to a 5-goal lead, winning 26-21. The best players were Sarah Orlandi (20 goals), Kim Christian and Molly Kehoe
Next week Yarra Glen hosts the strong Berwick teams whilst the footballers will enjoy a bye.
