By David Ball
With the Yarra Glen facilities still under repair following last year’s floods, they hosted Broadford at Woori Yallock in perfect conditions.
Yarra Glen got off to a solid start to be leading at quarter time, 4.3 to 0.1.
Josh Hawkins and Will Goodwin were working well up forward, taking advantage of a dominant midfield.
Around the ground, Yarra Glen’s pressure was forcing a number of turnovers.
The second quarter, however, saw Broadford start to work their way into the game, kicking 4 goals to Yarra Glen’s 3, with both sides missing a number of easy goal opportunities.
The River Pigs started the third quarter with a 14 point advantage but were soon in trouble with Blake Binion and Josh Hawkins out of the game and Broadford taking control in the ruck and through the midfield.
The errant kicking by both teams continued, with Yarra Glen kicking 1.6 and Broadford 1.5, leaving Yarra Glen 15 points up going at the last break.
Yarra Glen went into the last quarter with 4 injured players on the bench unable to continue and a couple of key players having to continue on the ground despite injury concerns.
Caleb Surplice took on the rucking duties and was outstanding in both the ruck contests and with intercept marking.
Richie Wyles was tireless in both midfield and defence roles as Yarra Glen held on.
A great goal from Tom Sullivan had Yarra Glen 15 points in front with 3 minutes to go.
Broadford kept coming and with a late goal, reduced the lead to 7 points at the final siren.
It was a great contest and a gutsy win for the River Pigs, 10.12 to 8.17.
Best players were Caleb Surplice, Richie Wyles, Ryan Smith, Sam Wood, Tom Sullivan and Nick McKenzie.
Goal kickers, Josh Hawkins 4 and singles to Will Goodwin, Sam Wood, Richard Gurney, Richie Wyles, Marcus Kikidopolous and Tom Sullivan.
In the reserves, both teams were coming off big losses in round 1 and attacked the game with ferocity in the first quarter.
Yarra Glen started well, being 4.1 to 0.1 ahead at quarter time.
Broadford looked fitter and quicker and through the second and third quarters they outscored Yarra Glen to be just 4 points behind at 3 quarter time.
Some of the better players from early in the game were tiring.
It took great efforts from Callum and Pat Tucker in the midfield to lift the River Pigs in the last.
Max Murphy in his first game for the club was outstanding in defence.
Kicking 2 goals to 1 in the final quarter saw Yarra Glen victorious 8.5 to 6.7.
Best players were Max Murphy, Jacob Reddaway, Steven Mylas, Callum Tucker, Heath Chamberlain and Nick Martin.
Goal kickers were Heath Chamberlain 2, Nick Martin 2, and singles to Ben Thomas, Steven Mylas, Josh Dick and Jacob Reddaway.
Next week Yarra Glen take on arch rivals, Yarra Junction at Yarra Junction.
Once again the Yarra Glen Netball D Grade had a bye with Broadford not fielding a D Grade team.
The day started with the C Grade team well on top in their first quarter, leading 10 goals to 5. Yarra Glen were moving the ball well shooting well, whilst the Broadford shooters were not converting under good defensive pressure.
This all changed in the second quarter, with Yarra Glen converting for just 1 goal whilst Broadford piled on 9.
In the third it all turned and Yarra Glen scored 9 goals to 4 to be 2 goals up at the last break.
The last quarter saw Broadford quickly close the gap and with a desperate goal for goal effort from both teams, the game ended in a thrilling 24-24 draw.
Best players were Ashley Shanks, Michele Young and Courtney Cochrane.
B Grade got off to a slow start, being down 8 goals at quarter time.
The girls lifted in the second with the teams scoring 8 goals each.
Whilst Yarra Glen were very competitive in the second half, Broadford proved to be just that little bit better to finish with a 13 goal win, Yarra Glen 34 to Broadford 47.
Best Players were Chelsea Birchall, Tiah Large and Alex Bray with 22 goals.
The Yarra Glen A grade girls got off to a slow start, with Broadford showing more composure to open up a 2 goal lead at quarter time.
Yarra Glen improved their connection in the second and with a 15 goal to 7 burst, led by 6 at half time.
The third quarter saw Yarra Glen continue to dominate with Madeline Hargrave converting everything that came her way.
A 14 goal advantage was reduced to 10 at the final hooter as Broadford improved their cohesion. It was a good 51 to 41 wine for Yarra Glen.
Best players were Madeline Hargrave with 44 goals, Alana McGurgan and Edana Lacey.
Next week all four teams will be in action away against Yarra Junction.
