By David Ball
Football
After a good night on the training track on Thursday, we woke up Friday morning to find the Yarra River had burst its banks and the Yarra Glen ground was inaccessible, with water levels up to the boundary line. Thankfully, Wandin agreed to relocate the game to their ground, so whilst Yarra Glen lost their home ground advantage, they were able to have a game, with a matchup against the top side in Gembrook.
The first quarter saw both sides attacking the contest with ferocity and despite the good conditions, each side could only score a goal each. Gembrook missed some easy set shots to be 1-7 at the first break, whilst Yarra Glen also missed some easy shots to be 1-3.
In the second quarter, Yarra Glen’smidfield started to win more of the ball with Callum Morison providing a strong marking target across the half-forward line. Gembrook had a number of rushed behinds but continued to miss some easy set shots. At halftime, the River Pigs had closed the gap to just 1 point.
In the third quarter, Yarra Glen dominated the game and was all over the top side in general play. Nathan McCulloch was dominating in the ruck and the defence negated the limited Gembrook forward entries to keep them to just 1 goal for the quarter. The River Pigs added 4-9, with many goal opportunities missed. Some bad kicking and a couple of goal-umpiring adjudications went against Yarra Glen, so the 23-point lead at the last break could easily have been larger.
Gembrook came out in the last full of running. They were able to find space on the small ground and started converting with 7 goals and just 1 point for the quarter. The River Pigs were fighting hard and had many chances to score but managed only 2-2. A lack of composure up forward saw a number of scoring opportunities missed, with Gembrook taking advantage to rebound and score at the other end. With scores level with less than a minute to go, Yarra Glen had a set shot from straight in front to retake the lead. It went out of bounds and Gembrook rushed the ball forward. With only seconds remaining a ball up in the goal square saw the ball hit the ground and in a desperate scramble, a free kick was awarded to Gembrook as the siren sounded. They converted to snatch a great come-from-behind win with the after-the-siren kick from the goal line. Final scores, Yarra Glen 9-17 to Gembrook 10-17.
Best for Yarra Glen were Billy Gardner, Ben Ashton, Nathan McCulloch, Callum Morison, (2 goals) Jayden Schille (2 goals) and Sam Wood (2 goals). The other goalkickers were Craig Dodsworth and Sam Horsley.
The Yarra Glen reserves had a full list to start the game, with club stalwart Bernie Wood taking the field for his last game with his 2 sons, Robbie and Charlie. The game started with general play being well contested but with Gembrook having some strong marking forwards they converted for 3-3. Yarra Glen failed to convert many chances and finished with just 4 points for all their effort. Whilst the River Pigs continued to show great effort, Gembrook had too many good players and were consistent across the final 3 quarters finishing up with a convincing 19-13 to Yarra Glen’s 3-8.
Best for Yarra Glen were Cooper Eggert, Brendan Davis, Zac Capuano, Jacob Myers, Steven Mylas and Robbie Wood.
Next week the footballers have a bye, so the season is over.
Netball
In A grade netball, Yarra Glen faced a spirited Gembrook in great conditions at Wandin. In a goal for goal quarter, it was tied at 8 all at quarter time. Yarra Glen improved their ball movement in the
second and converted well to be ahead 21-16 at halftime. They stretched the lead to 8 at the last break. The final quarter saw Gembrook lift as the Yarra girls eased up. Yarra Glen won 38-34.
With 1 game to go A Grade has locked in a finals berth. Best for Yarra Glen were Katelyn Vanderkolk, Jackie Hibberd and Lara Wandin Collins.
In B Grade Yarra Glen got off to a good start, leading 13 to 8 at quarter time. In the second and third quarters, Gembrook showed more composure and forced a number of turnovers to be 4 goals ahead
at the last change. The Yarra Glen girls lifted in the last and nearly snatched the lead back before falling 2 goals short, losing 35-37.
Best for Yarra Glen were Kayla Collins, Casey Wandin Collins and Gemma Ryan. Despite the loss, B Grade has also locked in a finals berth with 1 game to go.
C Grade faced a higher placed opponent and Gembrook put on a solid four-quarter exhibition to take out a 14-goal victory, Yarra Glen 22 to Gembrook 36. The Yarra Glen girls showed great fight in the
last to outscore Gembrook. Best for Yarra Glen were Ashley Shanks, Jasmin Wood and Michele Young.
In what was a well-contested match-up D grade took on a higher-placed Gembrook. Whilst showing patches of good netball, Yarra Glen could not find the consistency to get ahead of their opponents.
After an even second quarter, Gembrook was able to stretch the lead to run out sven-goal victors, Yarra Glen 24 to Gembrook 31.
Best for Yarra Glen were Chantelle Farley, Kim Christian and Melissa Erickson.
Next week Yarra Glen’s netballers head to Berwick for their last home and away game.
