By David Ball
Yarra Glen started the season with a trip to Alexandra, whilst the playing surfaces were a bit rough, the facilities and hospitality at Alex were fantastic.
The Senior football team was competitive early, being only 15 points down at halftime after Alexandra took a 19 point lead into quarter time.
Tom Sullivan and Ben Ashton provided plenty of drive in the midfield and Josh Hawkins was lively up forward.
The Alex forwards in Watkin and Stewart were proving too strong despite some early close checking from the River Pigs defenders.
Having outscored Alex in the second quarter, the Rebels responded with a 7 goal burst in the third to take control.
They were able to spread well from the defence which resulted in Yarra Glen having to do a lot of chasing.
This took its toll as the River Pigs tired late in the game.
The less than ideal preseason showed as forward moves lacked connection.
There was no lack of effort and there were patches of good football played but Yarra Glen ended the day losing 6.12 to 16.16.
Best players were Ben Ashton, Tom Sullivan, Jimmy Marks, Jayden Schille and Nick McKenzie. Goal kickers were Marcus Kikadopolous (2), Josh Hawkins, Blake Binion, Ben Ashton and Chris Beattie.
The Yarra Glen reserves did a great job to field a near full team despite a having a long list of unavailable players.
Despite being undermanned Yarra Glen kept Alex honest in the first quarter.
The Rebels started the second quarter running hard and with some of their quicker players getting plenty of the ball they piled the pressure on the River Pig defence and with some strong marking forwards, they proved to be too good for the Yarra Glen boys.
New players to the club Nick Ruciack and Ben Thomas were outstanding, with great support from Luke Vanderstadt, Cal and Pat Tucker and Drew Brodie.
Goal kickers were Cal Tucker, Nick Martin and Luke Vanderstadt. Final scores, Yarra Glen 3.2 losing to Alexandra 17.8
The Yarra Glen rooms are still under repair following last year’s floods, so Yarra Glen will take on Broadford at Woori Yallock next Saturday.
Yarra Glen’s netballers had a great day at Alexandra with all 3 teams winning.
Sadly Alex was unable to field a D Grade team.
In A grade the first quarter was a goal for goal affairs with scores locked at 9 all at the first break.
Yarra Glen came out firing in the 2nd quarter to pile on 15 goals to the Rebels 9.
It was a competitive game with Yarra Glen just proving that little bit better each quarter to stretch out the lead to finish up winning 48 to 36.
Madeline Hargrave was Yarra’s best with 36 goals, well supported by Kayla Toomer and Gemma Ryan.
B Grade were always in control, linking up better than Alex throughout the game. Leading by five at quarter time Yarra Glen faced a more determined Rebels team in the second, with both teams scoring nine goals.
The second half was dominated by the Yarra Glen girls, finishing victors 40 to 25.
Best players were Tiah Large, Alex Bray (22 goals) and Jasmin Wood.
C Grade started off the season for Yarra Glen and did it in fine style.
They took a 12 to 4 lead into quarter time ad extended their lead in each of the final 3 quarters.
Forcing many turnovers and intercepting well in defence meant the goal shooters were getting plenty of chances up forward.
They capitalised well and Yarra Glen won each quarter well to finish convincing winners, 51 to 18.
Best players were Sarah Orlandi (30 goals), Kim Christian and Sarah Matthews.
The netballers join the footballers at Woori Yallock next week to take on Broadford.
