By David Ball
Football
Back on our home ground, Yarra Glen faced Gembrook-Cockatoo with early rain making for slippery conditions for the Reserves. With over 20 players injured, ill or unavailable coach John Orren and the
boys did a magnificent job to get a full team on the ground.
Gembrook started with a dominant midfield providing plenty of supply for their forwards. They jumped out to a 6.7 to nil first quarter
lead. The second quarter saw a great fightback, with Yarra Glen having more of the play and creating a number of scoring opportunities whilst the defence kept the visitors to just a solitary goal for the quarter. Yarra Glen kept competing hard in the second half but as they tired, Gembrook wrestled back control to see them win, 15.14 to Yarra Glen’s 2.3.
Drew Brodie and Liam Dwyer kicked the goals for Yarra Glen whilst Matt Frazzetto kicked 4 for Gembrook to be their best player. Best for Yarra Glen were Dylan Armstrong, Patrick Tucker, Beau Hawkins, Jordan Mundy, Brendan David and Brenton Cantle.
The Seniors got off to a good start, having more of the ball in general play and creating a number of scoring opportunities. Errant kicking for goal robbed the River Pigs of the chance to lead at quarter but being just 4 points down, the scene was set for a tight clash. The second quarter saw Gembrook take control in the midfield and despite Ryan Smith winning more than his share of defensive contests the visitors converted their chances and went to a 30 point lead at halftime. In each of the last 2 quarters, Gembrook outscored Yarra Glen 5 goals to 4 to end up winning 19.11 to Yarra Glen’s 12.12.
Given the disruption to the team caused by a massive injury and unavailability list, the River Pigs put up a great contest. Last-minute call ups Dayne Downward, Max Forbes and Anthony Harman (2 goals) played their roles admirably. Yarra Glen’s best were Nathan McCulloch, Jason Godfrey, Sam Wood, Marcus Kikadopolous (2 goals), Sam Horsley, and Jayden Schille (3 goals). Others to contribute goals were Billy Gardner, Richard Gurney (2), Heath Chamberlain and Nate Capuano in his first senior game for the club. The footballers have a bye next round.
Netball
A grade was jumped early by a more aggressive and intense Gembrook. Down by 3 at quarter time the girls lifted their work rate to outscore the visitors in each of the next 3 quarters to run out
winners, 44 to 39. Steph Gibbs was our best (29 goals) with Jackie Hibberd and Lara Wandin-Collins also being in the best.
B Grade controlled the game from the start and outscored Gembrook in each quarter to run out comfortable winners 58-32 to move into 3 rd on the ladder. Gemma Ryan, Ellen Brown (29 goals) and Kim Williams were our best in a very even team effort.
C Grade was outplayed in the first quarter before lifting in the second where they matched Gembrook on the scoreboard. The second half was a repeat of the first, being outplayed in the third before matching the opposition in the last. Final scores saw Yarra Glen going down 24-33. The best players were Alex Bray, Jacinda Fraser and Michele Young.
D Grade had a good third quarter but for balance of the game were outplayed by a stronger opponent. The girls competed bravely before losing 22-40. Best were Melissa Erickson, Chantelle Farley and Kim Christian.
Next week the netballers take on the strong Berwick girls in a trip to Berwick.
