By David Ball
Football
Yarra Glen travelled to Belgrave, with the home side looking to win their first game for the season.
The first quarter started in a goal-for-goal battle. A couple of late goals for the River Pigs saw them taking an 11-point lead into the first break. Yarra Glen’s Nathan McCulloch was dominating the hit-outs but in the second quarter, Belgrave’s midfielders were intercepting more than their fair share of as they got on top in clearances.
Up forward they converted a number of free kicks for an accurate 5.1 for the quarter. The Magpies’ defenders were doing a great job in shutting down Yarra Glen’s key forwards as they added only one goal for the quarter. At halftime, Belgrave lead by 11 points and looked likely to cause the upset they were desperately seeking.
Yarra Glen stepped up the intensity in the third, with McCulloch’s dominance in the ruck being converted into clearances through Yarra Glen’s midfielders Ashton, Horsley and Gardner. Up forward Marcus Kikadopolous was everywhere and converted truly. The River Pigs dominated all over the ground to add 6 goals. Belgrave kept themselves in the game by adding 2 goals from limited forward entries. Yarra Glen went into the last quarter with a 17-point lead.
With a freshening breeze favouring the home side in the last, the scene was set for a battle, which is exactly what we saw. Each team kicked 2 goals with Belgrave missing a few before going down to Yarra Glen, who won 14.10 to 12.9.
Best for Yarra Glen were Sam Horsley, Billy Gardner, Ben Ashton, Jayden Schille, Richard Wyles, Nathan McCulloch and Marcus Kikadopolous, who was Yarra’s best with 5 goals.
The Yarra Glen reserves were looking for their second win against 6th placed Belgrave. The first half was literally goal for goal. Yarra Glen led by a point at quarter and half time and then by just 3 points at the last break. Belgrave looked to be getting more control of the ball but wasted a few opportunities, kicking 2.5 for the quarter. Yarra Glen lifted in the last to kick ahead with 4 goals to 2 to run out 15 point winners, 11.9 to 8.12.
Best for Yarra Glen were Jacob Myers, Steven Mylas, Dayne Downward, Matt McCann, Brendan Davis and Cooper Eggert.
Netball
In A grade netball, Yarra Glen was looking to lock in a top 4 spot against 5th placed Belgrave. Belgrave offered some strong resistance early in the game but a big second quarter saw Yarra Glen
leading 30 to 16. After a tight third quarter, Yarra Glen took control to run out winning comfortably, 57 to 32.
Best for Yarra Glen were Mel Hutton, Lara Wandin Collins (24 goals) and Ellen Brown.
B Grade was a battle between third and fourth. The first quarter was an enthralling battle, with each team scoring 12 goals. At halftime, Yarra Glen had edged ahead by 2 goals. Belgrave lifted in the third as Yarra Glen lost control to be down by 5 going into the last quarter. Yarra Glen outscored Belgrave in the last but it was not enough as they lost 47 to 51. Best for Yarra Glen were Kim Williams, Casey Wandin Collins and Abbey Page.
C Grade (sixth ) took on fifth-placed Belgrave and played their best netball for some time. They outscored their opponents in each of the first 3 quarters to into the last 14 goals up. Belgrave fought back in the
last but Yarra Glen prevailed, 31 to 20.
Best for Yarra Glen were Jasmin Wood, Alex Bray and Michele Young.
In D grade the game started with great intensity with both teams forcing turnovers. Yarra Glen played the better netball in the first half to be leading 18-16 at halftime. Belgrave lifted their intensity in the third and maintained in the last to force Yarra Glen to turn the ball over a number of times. Yarra Glen ended up losing 31 to 39, outplayed by a better team on the day.
Best for Yarra Glen were Sarah Orlandi, Rose Morris and Chantelle Farley.
Next week Yarra Glen travel to Berwick Springs
