Yarra Glen travelled to Powelltown and were greeted with perfect, sunny conditions.
The reserves started the day for the footballers with the Under 18s having a bye.
Powelltown had a major 400 game milestone to celebrate and really came to play.
They dominated the first quarter and if not for some inaccurate kicking could have enjoyed more than their 12 point lead.
They corrected this in the second quarter and lead at half time by 38 points.
Yarra Glen’s forward thrusts were continually intercepted as they kicked to the waiting arms of the strong marking Powelltown big men. Yarra Glen came out in the third better organised with Simon Van Der Westhuizen working hard in the midfield and Oscar Grenfell putting pressure on the Demon’s big men they were able to break even in the second half as both sides added six goals.
With three Under 18s playing, one of them, Alastair Lowrie kicked a great goal in the last quarter.
Final scores, Yarra Glen 9.4 to Powelltown 14.15.
Best players: Max Murphy, Simon Van Der Westhuizen, Joshua Valadon, Dan Kelly, Alastair Lowrie and Brad McKenzie.
Goal kickers, Joshua Valadon four, Simon Van Der Westhuizen two and Alastair Lowrie, Brad McKenzie and Oscar Grenfell one each.
In the senior football match Yarra Glen faced a fired up Powelltown who started strongly kicking three first quarter goals.
The River Pigs were well served by Aussie Smith and Ben Ashton who provided run and dash to help Yarra Glen put on five goals to go into quarter time with a lead of 17 points.
While the Demons had their moments in the second, the River Pigs took control of the game.
With the midfield on top and the ruckmen stopping big Ben Wratten from dominating, they extended their lead to 38 points at the main break.
Jake Ferris in a new role down back was intercepting many of Powelly’s forward moves and Josh Hawkins up forward was proving too strong on the lead and in the air.
Powelltown provided a tougher contest than their ladder position would suggest, but The River Pigs were up to the challenge and with an even contribution they went on to win comfortably, Yarra Glen 22.15 to Powelltown 8.8.
Best for Yarra Glen were: Aussie Smith, Ben Ashton, Noah Battle, Chris Webber, Jake Ferris and Chris Beattie.
Goal kickers, Josh Hawkins seven, Sam Wood four, Nate Capuano two, Chris Beattie two, Heath Chamberlain two, Noah Battle one, Jae McDonald one, Max DePina one, Caleb Surplice one, Aussie Smith one.
The Yarra Glen Vets team took on top of the ladder Gembrook at home and soon found out why they were the top team.
Gembrook were very clean with their marking and general ball handling and kicked well to position.
The River Pigs Vets worked hard but couldn’t get past the Brookers’ defensive line.
Gembrook proved too quick across the ground and while Yarra Glen provided a solid contest, they were outclassed, going down Yarra Glen 2.2 to Gembrook 10.9.
Best players: Tom Matthews, Lewis Ripepi, Drew Brodie, Ricky Bateman, Adam Mowat and Chris Capuano.
Goal kickers: Tom Matthews one, Ricky Bateman one.
The Yarra Glen netballers took on Powelltown, with all grades being placed well above the Powelly teams on the ladder.
The Yarra Glen A Grade girls found themselves in a tough contest early as Powelltown moved the ball well and converted their shots.
With just a three goal advantage at quarter time, the Yarra girls increased their intensity in the second and with Alana McGurgan setting up plays from the centre, the Yarra goal shooters starting hitting their shots.
With solid defence Yarra Glen took control to run out with a solid win, 62 to 24.
Best players, Elise Dobson, Jasmine Evans, Alana McGurgan.
Yarra Glen B Grade put in a solid four quarter effort, winning each quarter comfortably.
Starting with an 11 point lead at quarter, they proved too clean with their passing and finished well in goals to run out with a comfortable win, 58 to 27.
Best were Kayla Collins, Sarah Gibbs and Abby Stranger.
The C Grade girls were looking to consolidate a spot in the top five and started with a battle on their hands.
Powelltown matched them across the court but found Jacinda Fraser in defence holding them.
With just a three goal advantage at quarter time, the Yarra girls cleaned up their ball handling and converted well in goals.
They went on to overpower Powelltown, winning 41 to 22.
Best players were Maddie Oultram, Leah Haag and Emma Myers.
With D Grade starting the day for Yarra Glen, they got off to a great start, piling on 13 goals whilst keeping Powelltown scoreless in the first quarter.
They continued to
dominate throughout the following three quarters and with their defence intercepting time after time, the goal shooters did their job as Yarra Glen had a big win, 45 to 4.
Best players: Ashleigh Wallace, Ruby Bennett and Annabelle Forsyth.
Next week is the Kings Birthday bye with Yarra Glen facing Warburton-Millgrove the week after at Yarra Glen.
