Round 3 review
No close encounters for the ANZAC round of matches but certainly some quality teams and individuals on display including another excellent round of umpiring.
Yarrawonga kept its unbeaten record with a super impressive win over an out of sorts Myrtleford at the JC Lowe Oval winning by 36 points with Bailey Fraunfelder starring with six goals.
With still no Michael Gibbons, Lee Williams and Jess Koopman the Pigeons upside is huge as they take outright second place on the ladder.
Sam Martyn (30 possessions) and Matt Munro were best for the Saints who badly missed Matt Dussin, Dawson-Simpson and will also be hoping for coach Jake Sharpe return.
Wangaratta Rovers found its best form of the season to dominate Lavington at the Lavington Sportsground running away with a 58-point win.
Sam Murray, Jake McQueen, Dylan Stone, and Sam Murray were outstanding with McQueen booting five goals and Alex Marklew four.
Lavington young gun Will Glanvill continued his brilliant form with 46 possessions. The Panthers have slipped to one win from its first four games.
2021 Morris Medal winner Cal Moore booted a lazy eleven goals for the Pies as their merciless start to the season continued hammering Corowa Rutherglen by 132 points.
In four games the Magpies average winning margin is over 104 points, and they are averaging 158 points per game – star forwards Mick Newton and Ben Reid didn’t play against the Roos.
The Roos loss has seen them drop out of the top five for the first time. Jy Lane and Joe Hansen were the best of the visitors as they now prepare for a home clash against Raiders.
Albury got on top of North Albury after half time to win by 103 points with an eight goal to one last quarter blowing the margin out.
The young Hoppers showed plenty of spirit and commitment and did not let their supporters down at all in a gutsy performance against the classy Tiger unit.
The Tigers will now prepare for a massive round four match away to Myrtleford, while for the Hoppers they host the high-flying Magpies.
Wodonga notched up its first win of the season with a hard fought 36-point margin in the ANZAC Day derby at Birallee Park in front of a big crowd.
After a tough fixture to negotiate in the opening two rounds the Bulldogs controlled the game throughout to take home the Mayoral Cup with Tom Johnson booting three goals. It was the Bulldogs first win over Raiders in six years although an ankle injury to gun midfielder Alex Smout took a bit of gloss off the win.
Raider’s will also be worried about a knee injury to Shane Munro during the third term. Munro has been a shining light for the Raiders and was scheduled for game 100 in round four.
Corowa Rutherglen remain the only unbeaten side following its four-goal win over Wangaratta in a brilliant showcase game of Ovens and Murray netball. A best on court clinic from Olivia Sinclair sparked the Roos to a significant win after they trailed at half time by two goals. A fourteen goal to eight third quarter that delighted Roos coach Georgie Bruce proved the difference, with Leah Jenvey the best for Wangaratta.
The Lavington Panthers celebrated Ange DeMamiel 200th game in fine style, beating Wangaratta Rovers 55-29 at Lavington. A superb game from Steph Clancy complimented her big preseason campaign, while Jenna McLeod was the pick of the Rovers side. The Panthers hold down second place on percentage ahead of Wangaratta, with Yarrawonga a game in hand just behind the Pies in a fascinating top three battle.
As expected, the Pigeons bounced back in savage fashion taking the young Myrtleford Saints apart to the tune of 65-16 with Brigette Cassar throwing thirty-six goals. Cassar fellow coach Laura Irvine was brilliant in mid court and new player Maddy Allan showed she will be another weapon in the goal face. Allan has moved to Yarrawonga with employment and looms and another option along with Sarah Senini and Cassar, while Laura Ryan has impressed since crossing from the Goulburn Valley league.
Wodonga Raiders furthered staked their claim for a finals spot with a strong 54-29 win over Wodonga who went into the clash confident of an upset. When Wodonga trailed by just two goals at the first break, they looked a big chance. The raiders however clicked up forward and dominated the final three quarters.
North Albury continued its great form overcoming the Tigers 43-36 to make it back-to-back wins and just outside the top five. It a cracking first half the scores were locked at 18 all, before the Hoppers found its best form in a brilliant third quarter that set up the crucial win.
