By David Ball
Football
Our 2 men’s football headed up to a showery Emerald to kick off our Division 1 campaign for 2022.
Our newly formed Women’s football team was not able to get onto the ground this week, we hope to have all girls available for next week and would welcome any new players to add to our list.
With a big list of unavailable players, the Reserves boys did a great job to get a full team on the ground. They competed hard but found the younger and fitter Emerald team were too strong, going down 19.16 to 0.1. Best players were Steven Mylas, Matt McCann, Beau Hawkins and Jay Rooney, with Shooter and Travis Arnol doing a great job as last-minute top-up players.
The Senior football team fielded 6 first senior game players, a great injection of quality youth for the club. In the slippery conditions Emerald proved to be too strong and too clean and despite a solid second quarter we lost 14.18 to 3.8. Richard Gurney kicked 2 goals and Lachie Telford 1. The team’s effort was first class and with a number of good players to come in we can expect better results as the season progresses. Best players were Nathan McCulloch, Lachie Telford, Blake Binion, Richard Gurney, Richie Wyles and Charlie Wood.
We have a massive game next week against local rivals Healesville as we honour club legend Peter “Big Pete” Nelson, who sadly passed away last week. Please get along to Yarra Glen this Saturday to
support The River Pigs and pay your respects to Big Pete.
Netball
Our 4 netball teams were welcomed to Emerald with wet and slippery conditions. Our move up to Division 1 is a welcome challenge and all teams acquitted themselves well.
The day started with our D Grade going down 32-14. Rose Morris and Jayne Bashford were our best.
C Grade were also beaten by a better team on the day, 29-19, but can be pleased with the efforts of all players. Jasmin Wood and Jazz Fraser had great games.
B Grade continued on their winning ways from last year with a solid 36-22 victory, Kayla Collins and Gemma Ryan being the standouts in a great team performance.
Our A Graders came up against one the stronger teams in the Division and showed that they will be more than competitive this season. Emerald slowly increased their lead each quarter, finishing ahead 53-36 at the final siren. Jacqui Hibberd and Lara Wandin Collins were the best in a solid team effort.
