By David Ball
Yarra Glen were finally able to host a game at their home ground with the day being a dedicated Pink Sports Day in support of the Breast Cancer Network.
Taking on Yarra Junction who had a new coach in command for the second time, the visitors started with intensity and hit the scoreboard to take an early lead.
Yarra Glen settled and as their midfield lifted they took control of general play.
If not for some errant kicking for goal, the River Pigs would have been more than the 4 points in front at quarter time.
4.8 to 4.4.
In the second quarter Yarra Glen were well on top, but once again missed some straight forward opportunities to be leading 8.14 to 5.6 at the main break.
Josh Hawkins and Chris Beattie combined for some great goals, with Jayden Schille and Callum Morison on top in defence.
The River Pigs outscored the Eagles 3 goals to 2 in the third to take control of the game, leading by 34 points going into the last quarter.
The two teams traded goals until late in the last quarter when Yarra Junction slammed on some late goals to close the gap to 21 points.
Final scores Yarra Glen 15.22 to Yarra Junction 13.13.
Best players were Ben Ashton, Jimmy Marks, Josh Hawkins, Jayden Schille, Chris Beattie and Callum Morison.
Goalkickers were Josh Hawkins 3, Jimmy Marks 3, Marcus Kikidopolous 3, Chris Beattie 2, Anthony Harman 2, Ben Ashton and Sam Wood.
The Yarra Glen reserves started in slightly wet conditions after some early morning rain.
Yarra Junction handled the ball well and were able to take a 5 goal lead into quarter time.
The Eagles produced a very even 4 quarter performance whilst Yarra Glen showed only patches of good football.
Will Duff was great on the wing with Richard Gurney providing some spark in the midfield and up forward.
The Junction forwards were too strong in the air as they marked and goaled consistently through the 4 quarters.
It was great to have some returning senior players helping out to fill the team for Yarra Glen.
Best players were Will Duff, Richard Gurney, Graham Ely, Jordan Goodburn, Regen Daniel and Cam Tait.
Goalkickers were Braedon Crombie, Will Duff, Troy Beath and Jordan Goodburn.
Next week Yarra Glen has a bye before travelling to Broadford on 17 June.
The Yarra Glen Netball D Grade started well on a wet court and led 9 to 4 at quarter time.
They were consistently handling the ball and moving it better than Yarra Junction to end up winning every quarter to finish with a convincing 40 to 15 victory.
Best players were Melissa Erickson, Sam Chetcuti (26 goals) and Kim Christian.
The C Grade girls started strongly, moving the ball crisply and defending strongly to be 13 to 3 up at quarter time.
Their good form continued in the second quarter as they stretched their lead to be 23 to 8 ahead at half time.
Yarra Glen continued their clean ball movement and their goalshooters converted well throughout the second half to finish up winning well, 38 to 15
Best players were Zoe Collins, Sarah Orlandi (29 goals) and Courtney Cochrane.
In B Grade Yarra Glen faced some early pressure from Yarra Junction and had to work hard to create their 11 to 3 quarter time lead.
The second quarter saw the Yarra Glen girls lift to a new level, shutting down the Junction ball movement to keep them scoreless for the quarter.
At the other end Yarra Glen added 15 goals to be 26 to 3 ahead at half time.
The second half saw Yarra Junction kept to just 3 goals in each of the last 2 quarters. Great defence and good conversion saw B Grade running out victorious, 41 to 9.
Best players were Tiah Large, Jasmin Wood and Casey Wandin-Collins
The A Grade game was a great contest in the first quarter with both sides scoring 14 goals.
Yarra Glen was missing Maddy Hargrave in goals but had a great replacement in Georgia Crundale. It did take the Yarra Glen girls a little while to adjust to a different goalshooter and at half time Yarra Glen was just 2 goals up, 31 to 29.
The third quarter saw Yarra Glen assert their authority as they improved their defensive pressure.
At three quarter time they had moved out to be ahead 49 to 41.
The last quarter was cut short as an Ambulance was needed to attend to Yarra Glen’s centre Alana McGurgan.
In falling backwards she was knocked out, hitting the court hard.
Yarra Glen had added 6 goals to 2 to win, 55 to 43.
Fortunately, Alana is recovering well.
Best players were Kayla Toomer, Lara Wandin Collins and Georgia Crundale (42 goals).
Next week all 4 teams have a bye, with A, B and C travelling to Broadford on 17 June.
The Pink Sports Day was an outstanding success thanks to the support of Yarra Junction, The Yarra Glen Community and many local businesses.
In all over $10,000 was raised to support the Breast Cancer Network Australia in honour of Sandra Wood, a much loved mother to Sam and Jasmin and wife of Peter, who sadly passed away recently due to breast cancer.
