By David Ball
Yarra Glen faced off against Powelltown with the Demons looking for their first win of the season. The game started with great intensity in a goal for goal rally. Powelltown’s multiple League B&F Ben Wratten dominated centre clearances for Powelly as Yarra Glen’s Max DePina and Nate Capuano were holding well up in defence.
In a high scoring quarter Yarra Glen had kicked 7.3 to Powelltown’s 5.3. The second quarter saw Yarra Glen take control in general play, moving the ball well and feeding forward Josh Hawkins who capitalised with strong marking and accurate kicking. Yarra Glen jumped out to a 6 goal lead before the Demons rallied with 2 late goals to keep within 25 points at half time.
In the 3rd quarter the River Pigs started to limit Wratten’s midfield dominance and started winning clearances consistently with their midfield getting well on top. Kicking 8 goals to 2 in the second half, Yarra Glen were able to stifle any chances of a Powelltown first victory who failed to kick a last quarter goal.
The River Pigs ran out comfortable winners, 20.12 to 10.5
Best players were: Nate Capuano, Josh Hawkins, Max DePina, Noah Battle, Anthony Delaney and Nathan Deringowski.
Goalkickers. Josh Hawkins 7, Marcus Kikidoplous 3 Jim Marks 2, Richard Gurney 2, Sam Wood 2, Oscar Grenfell, Noah Battle, Heath Chamberlain & Nathan Deringowski.
The Yarra Glen reserves were looking for their first win against Powelltown who were also looking for their first win of the season. In a high pressure first quarter both sides were turning the ball over frequently with some strong work up forward seeing Powelltown lead by 10 points at quarter time. The Demons kicked early goals in the second to take 3 goal lead. The River Pigs lifted and banged on 3 quick goals with Sean Sanderson capitalising from the midfielders lifting to cut the margin to 4 points. With this momentum it was looking like Yarra Glen may taste victory but they faded badly in the second half. Powelltown’s experienced quality showed as they took over to add 5 goals to Yarra Glen’s nil.
Final Scores Yarra Glen 7.2 to Powelltown 12.9.
Best players were Taylor Bryans, Keithy Gerovasilis, Sean Sanderson, Dan Kelly, Matt McKenzie and Max Murphy,
Goalkickers, Sean Sanderson 4, Josh Dick, Lachlan Crawford and Andrew Cowan.
In netball Yarra Glen A Grade had a bye, with B Grade hosting Powelltown at home. The Yarra girls put in a solid effort, setting the standard early with a 21 goal first quarter. In Tiah Large’s 50th game everyone contributed. Having a strong lead early Yarra Glen were able to swing things around with Jasmin Wood and Kayla Collins both performing well in centre. Ellen Keitley and Abby Page were deadly in the goal circle, eventually seeing Yarra Glen putting on 68 goals to Powelltown’s 32. B Grade is starting to combine well and faces big challenges ahead as they take on higher placed teams in the coming weeks.
Yarra Glen C grade took on Powelltown at home in a game they controlled from the start, with a 22-2 goal first quarter they had quite a convincing lead which continued throughout the game. Scoring 76 goals and keeping Powelltown to just 8 goals was an incredible accomplishment by the Yarra girls. Special mention to co-captain Sarah Orlandi who shot 54 goals.
D grade started off very strong with an 18-0 first quarter. Young teen star Ruby Bennett again played with such maturity and was accurate with her shooting. All the Yarra goalers showed poise and patient in attack and kept working hard after the coaches tried a few new combinations. Annie Dietrich and Sarah Matthews worked really hard in defence, picking up numerous intercepts, keeping the away team to just 2 goals in the first half. A lot of positives for Yarra Glen heading into the second half of the season.
The end score was 46-8 in a dominant game of netball by Yarra Glen D Grade.
Next week all teams travel to Belgrave.
