By David Ball
Yarra Glen travelled to Warburton to take on the 4th placed team.
The Burras started dominating the centres clearances and feeding their fast leading forwards.
Liam Westlake was proving too quick for the River Pig defenders as he marked well and converted early goals.
The Yarra Glen defenders were under siege and despite great efforts from Ky Hawkins and Max dePina in defence Warby took a 28 point lead into quarter time.
The second quarter was much of the same, with Warby’s ruck dominating.
Yarra Glen were unable to connect going forward and numerous turnovers added to the relentless pressure the defenders faced.
Some inaccurate kicking from the Burras saw them add 4.8 for the quarter to Yarra Glen’s two goals to take a 48 point lead into the main break.
The second half was a scrappy affair as the River Pigs lifted their intensity to break even in general play.
Warburton Millgrove were only able to add three goals for the half as Yarra Glen scored two.
Caleb Surplice was able to nullify Westlake and with great support from Nate Capuano they halted the Burras momentum.
Jim Marks was providing a great contest up forward as the River Pig midfielders matched it with their opponents.
Warburton Millgrove were quicker and cleaner with their ball movement but the effort from Yarra Glen in the second half was commendable.
Final Sores, Yarra Glen 5.4 to Warburton Millgrove 12.21.
Best players were: Sam Wood, Ky Hawkins, Nate Capuano, Jim Marks, and Max DePina.
Goalkickers James Brereton, Sam Wood, Richard Gurney, Josh Hawkins and Ethan Murdock.
The Yarra Glen reserves took on 4th placed Warburton Millgrove in cool but pleasant conditions.
Things didn’t start well for Yarra Glen before the bounce as some last minute changes to the senior team left the ressies with 21 players.
With a couple of early injuries the depleted River Pigs struggled from the start against a quicker and fitter Burras group.
A great tackle and resulting goal from Andrew Cowan levelled the scores early in the first quarter, but from then on Yarra Glen could not keep up as Warburton ran hard from defence to create numerous opportunities for their forwards.
Matt McKenzie and Drew Brodie were great in defence, Dayne Downward and Taylor Bryans working hard in the midfield to provide a contest.
The Burras were consistent through the 4 quarters as the Yarra Glen went down 1.0 to 21.27.
Best players were Dayne Downward, Taylor Bryans, Drew Brodie, Dylan Harding, Matt McKenzie and Will Duff.
Andrew Cowan was the goalkicker.
The netball A Grade was a physical encounter as expected as Yarra Glen took on top of the ladder Warburton Millgrove.
The Yarra girls were brave and steadfast in the face of this, with Megan Galetti leading the charge out of defence, and Alana McGurgan as usual providing a four quarter effort. Jacqui Hibberd was knocked about by every opposition player and yet provided good service all game.
With Warburton defence double teaming Maddy Hargrave, Lara Wandin-Collins had to work extra hard and kept us in the game with her skill with the ball and accurate shooting.
Eventually Yarra Glen went down 52-40.
In B grade it was a stirring, four quarter, whole team performance that saw the best game of the year so far for this team.
No matter who went on the court in any position, they played their role brilliantly.
Tiah Large was massive all game in centre, Skye Corrigan was versatile in goals and defence, while Georgia Crugnale was so calm despite being pushed and shoved all game.
Ellen Keitley in GA was the difference in the game, she was calm in the chaos and physicality of the contest and never let the opposition get under her skin. In a see sawing game it was a huge effort to hold on in the last quarter to come away with a 51-47 win against the second placed Warburton Millgrove.
C Grade took on Warburton away in a Grand final rematch that promised to be a tight contest.
First quarter saw our girls start slow off the mark to be four goals down but still remained very much in the game.
Yarra Glen rallied together and worked hard to fight back to see us up by two goals at half time.
The third saw lots of momentum shifts as Yarra Glen managed to be up by one goal going into the last.
The Yarra girls pushed themselves and dug deep when needed most.
Natasha Bennett led in defence with her many intercepts creating multiple turnovers. Goalshooter Sarah Orlandi finished brilliantly with her accurate goaling leading Yarra Glen to overrun Warby for a great 35 to 28 victory.
D Grade faced a challenging contest away at Warburton against a top four opposition.
Yarra Glen produced some of their best netball for the season so far, coming away with a comprehensive 30-18 victory against strong opposition.
From the first whistle, the team’s defensive pressure all over the court was outstanding and created numerous turnovers.
Displaying their leadership and wealth of experience, Jacinda Bryans, Chantelle Farley and Kim Christian controlled the tempo of the game from start to finish.
Sam Chetcuti was on fire and led the way with her determination and accuracy in the goal circle.
In a standout game, our youngest netballer at the club, Ruby Bennett, played with confidence and maturity beyond her years.
