Yarra Glen hosted its Pink Sports Day on Saturday, joined by Powelltown in Seniors and Reserves footy and netball, with Seville U18’s also being a part of the day.
The fundraising part of the day got off to a great start with Ryan “Whippy” Smith raising $10,000 as he had his famous dreadlocks cut off.
On the football side of things, in the Seniors, Powelltown arrived ready to play in their quest for a third win for the season whilst Yarra Glen were desperate to bounce back after a bad loss last game.
It was a tight contest early on with the River Pigs holding a 15 point lead at quarter time.
The second quarter saw Powelltown lift their intensity as Yarra Glen consistently turn the ball over as they moved forward.
Dean Roy kicked a couple of classy goals for the Demons and at half time Powelltown went in leading 4.6 to 4.5.
After a big spray from the coach at half time, Yarra Glen came out with a greater sense of purpose, moving the ball quickly as they went forward and started finding forward targets.
With a lift in tackle pressure, they were able to get on top around the ground.
If not for some errant kicking for goal, they could have up by more than the 14 points at the last break.
In the last quarter, the River Pigs piled on seven goals to Powelltown’s two.
In the end, Yarra Glen came out for a hard fought 43 point victory, Yarra Glen 15.13 to Powelltown 8.12.
Best for Yarra Glen: Jake Ferris, Jayden Capuano, Aussie Smith, Chris Webber, Dylan Jarvis, Noah Battle.
Goalkickers: Jayden Capuano 3 Sam Wood 2, Heath Chamberlain 2, Caleb Surplice 2, Marcus Kikidopolous 2, Max DePina, Noah Battle and Blake Binion 1 each.
The Yarra Glen Reserves were looking to notch up their second win for the season and showed great early desperation.
Sadly, they could not convert up forward as they scored 1.5 for the quarter.
At the other end, Powelltown were able to kick two goals from their limited forward 50 entries.
In a scrappy second quarter, both teams could manage only a goal each, with Powelltown going into half time with just a one point lead.
In a very even third quarter, scoring improved as the lead changed hands a number of times with each team adding three goals for the quarter.
In a desperate last quarter, Yarra Glen had most of the play but missed numerous opportunities to score.
Powelltown had fewer forward entries but seemed to score every time they went forward.
As a result, Yarra Glen went down 6.11 to Powelltown 9.3.
Best players: Mason Smith, Dayne Downward, Cal Tucker, Keithy Gerovasilis, Matt McKenzie, Ethan Murdock, Goalkickers were Matt McKenzie 3, Dan Kelly 2, Liam Watson 1.
The Under 18’s came up against a top 2 team in Seville.
With a team packed with quality top aged players, they proved to be too strong, too fast and too skilled as they put together a very even four quarter display.
The Yarra Glen boys put in a great effort and won their fair share of contests.
Despite being outplayed, the River Pig boys never gave up and to their credit put together their best quarter of footy in the last.
It was great to see them add three goals for the game as they went down, Yarra Glen 3.3 to Seville 24.14.
Best players: Callum Sanders, Xavier Bosua, Sam Gloury, Lincoln Brain, Alastair Lowrie, Xander Dalton. Goalkickers, Callum Sanders 2, Alastair Lowrie 1.
The Vets footy team travelled to Gembrook to take on the top of the ladder undefeated team.
In a really high quality game, Yarra Glen probably played their best game of the season as they went down to be a very accomplished opposition.
After giving Gembrook a four goal start, the River Pigs outscored and outplayed Gembrook in the second and third quarters.
Gembrook steadied in the last as Yarra Glen went down 4.3 to 7.8.
It was a great first season for the Yarra Glen Vets.
Best players: Chris Capuano, Peter Moate, Adam Robert, Anthony Coppin, Tom Matthews, Brad McKenzie. Goal kickers, Brenton Cantle, Anthony Coppin, Beau Hawkins, Peter
Moate.
The Yarra Glen netballers all faced Powelltown.
The Yarra Glen A Grade girls dominated from the start and in very impressive quarter effort they went on to score a resounding 53 goal victory.
With Georgia Crundale shooting 50 goals Yarra Glen won easily, 83 to 30.
Best Players: Alana McGurgan, Lauren VanDerWesthuizen, Georgia Crundale.
Yarra Glen B Grade girls started well to be 23 to seven up at quarter time.
With Meaghan Carter celebrating her 200th game, they continued to extend their lead throughout the game and have locked away a top 4 position with a resounding 77 to 33 victory.
Best Players: Imojean Parsons, Skye Corrigan and Meaghan Carter.
The Yarra Glen C Grade girls were under pressure early in the game as Powelltown played with great spirit in the first quarter.
In a great defensive effort, the Yarra girls restricted Powelltown to just 11 goals for the game as they went on to score 68 of their own.
As with the other netball teams, B Grade have locked in a top four finish with just the one game to go before finals.
Best players: Abbey Page, Leah Haag, Ellie Estcourt.
With D Grade starting the day for Yarra Glen they defended well throughout to restrict Powelltown to just 11 goals.
They worked the ball well through the midcourt and their shooters converted well.
Despite not having won a game for the season, the Powelltown girls competed hard and provided a good spirited opposition.
Yarra Glen went on to win 42 to 11.
Best players: Sam Chetcuti, Ashleigh Wallace, Lily Dove.
Next week, Yarra Glen travels to Warburton for the last home and away game.
