By David Ball
Football
Yarra Glen met Healesville in a must-win battle for the River Pigs. Starting with the wind they won their fair share of the ball but failed to convert a number of set shots at goal to finish the quarter at 1.6 versus Healesville’s 1.2.
The second quarter was a fierce contest as both sides ran and tackled hard. Yarra Glen was able to restrict Healesville to 3 goals for the quarter whilst adding 2 of their own. Only 5 points down at halftime, Yarra Glen had the chance to set the game up with the strong wind in the third quarter.
This was not to be as Healesville slammed on 3 quick goals. They were working harder with and without the ball and found many loose targets. For the balance of the quarter Yarra Glen once again failed to convert their forward entries adding only 1.4 for the quarter.
Down by 22 points going into the wind in the last quarter, Yarra Glen was outplayed and outworked by Healesville with the final score of 5.10 to 12.11 a disappointing result for the visitors.
The best players for Yarra Glen were Blake Binion, Richard Gurney, Sam Wood, Jason Godfrey, Brendan Davis (1 goal) and Callum Morison (4 goals).
The Reserves started with the wind but were unable to capitalise to be a goal down at quarter time.
In the second quarter, Healesville slammed on 6 goals whilst the River Pigs could only add 3 points.
On the large expanses at Healesville, they were able to find plenty of space. The Yarra Glen backline worked hard but could do little as the ball came in quickly and often. The third quarter saw a lift in effort from Yarra Glen but poor conversion up forward meant they were unable to close the gap, being outscored by 2 points.
In the last quarter, Yarra Glen tired as Healesville kept running and aided by a strengthening wind added 5 goals to Yarra Glen’s 2. The final scores were Yarra Glen 6.9 to Healesville 17.6.
The best players for Yarra Glen were Craig Dodsworth, Anthony Harman,(1 goal) Patrick Tucker,(1 goal) Cam Tait, Heath Chamberlain and Stirling Twite-Moore (2 goals). Luke Vanderstadt kicked the other 2 goals for Yarra Glen. and Drew Brodie (2), Nate Capuano, Max Forbes and Brendan Davis.
Next week is the Queen’s Birthday weekend bye with Yarra Glen facing Seville at home the following week. The Netballers enjoyed a week off having a bye.
