Round 2 Review
A brilliant round of Easter action concluded on Sunday with all matches played in magnificent autumn conditions in front of big crowds.
Yarrawonga lingered a little loner storming home to snatch the points from a shell-shocked Lavington at Mulwala.
The Pigeons looked on the canvass as Lavington wasted forward opportunities midway through the final term before Yarrawonga coach Mark Whiley with two goals engineered a stirring victory.
It completed a cracking contest with both sides pressure and tackling thrilling the large Lonsdale Oval crowd as Yarrawonga won by six points.
Yarrawonga star recruit was a shock omission after being stripped and completing the warmup pregame, Lavington included premiership forward Aiden Johnston for an injured Luke Garland.
Albury’s stunning run of success over the last few decades is well documented, but when they reflect back on great victories the Easter Saturday win at Corowa will be one of them.
The Tigers were hugely depleted with Covid illness missing both coaches Anthony Miles and Luke Daly, along with other stars Shaun Daly, Jim Grills and Brayden O’Hara.
They got home in an absolute belter of a contest with the Roos charging home late in front of almost 3000 spectators to fall short by two points.
Kade Kuschert in his record breaking 334th club game had a chance for a fairy-tale finish, when his shot on the run from 35 metres out just missed with two mins left.
The Conlan boys Jacob and Lucas were the difference kicking seven goals between them for the Tigers, while Fletcher Carroll 33 possessions was superb.
Wangaratta continued its brilliant start to the season whopping Wodonga at John Flower Oval by 110 points with twin towers Michael newton (8 goals) and coach Ben Reid (6 goals) unstoppable.
Jackson Clarke and Matt Kelly fed the power forwards superbly. The Pies second quarter of eleven goals was what many experts described as almost perfect premiership play.
Wodonga again had massive possessions by its star midfielders with Angus baker 33 possessions and three goals the best.
Wangaratta Rovers notched up its first win for 2022 in an entertaining stoush beating a very brave and bold Wodonga Raiders at the WJ Findlay Oval.
The Raiders were forced to forfeit the seconds with fifteen senior players unavailable due to Covid illness and complications.
Both sides will gain plenty of positives from the clash with Rovers Tom Boyd booting five goals on debut, while Sam Murray continued his great season with 36 possessions.
The return of brothers Hayden and Dylan Clarke to play along side brother Nathan was special with all three starring alongside former coach Jarrod Hodgkin who had game high 39 possessions.
Myrtleford as expected had a large home crowd on Easter Sunday and as expected comfortably beat North Albury by 117 points in a solid team effort.
The Hoppers had been ultra-competitive in the first half, before a nine goal third term put the game to bed with Riley Sharp (4), Kurt Aylett (3) and Matt Munro (3) lifting up forward.
Lavington has shaken up the netball premiership race with an astonishing upset win over the highly fancied Yarrawonga at Mulwala on Sunday.
The rejuvenated Panthers played a sparkling brand of netball to run away with a convincing eleven goal win and rocket into a genuine flag threat.
The defence led by young gun Grace Hay played a huge roll as the emergence of former GWS Fury star Emily Stewart’s combination with Maddy Plunkett 30 goals starts to impact.
North Albury stormed home in the final term to beat Myrtleford by eight goals after scores were level at three quarter time.
The Hoppers were boosted by the surprise return of Elyse Boyer from university in Geelong, who took to the court alongside sister Niamh.
Wodonga Raiders grabbed their first win of the season, outpointing Wangaratta Rovers on Good Friday by 44- 39 to leave the Rovers without a win despite many close results.
Corowa Rutherglen never gave Albury a chance at home on Saturday, winning every quarter comfortably in an impressive 25 goal win.
Grace Senior shot 35 goals for Corowa, playing in goal-attack alongside her sister Chloe at goal-shooter.
A highlight of the match was the debut at thirteen years age of Tigers Kijana McCowan who looked every part a senior player.
Despite losing Wodonga showed they have improved significantly to suggest a drought breaking win is not too far away.
The defending premiers took control in the second quarter for a half time lead of twelve, before the Bulldogs played its best half for many years to only lose by thirteen goals.
Round three next week will see three Saturday matches and then the two big ANZAC day clashes on Monday – catch you all for a preview later in the week.
