Round 1 Review
How about that for a brilliant Easter round of football and netball played in front of big crowds and a couple of nail-biting finishes to give the fans just what they wanted.
Despite unseasonably cold and wet conditions, the four matches across three days pulled in close to ten thousand spectators.
The Wang Deby was nothing short of sensational with the Rovers at home hitting the front in the finals thirty seconds to secure a two-point win over Wangaratta.
Alex Marklew kicked the winning goal after the Magpies had looked home when they led by 21 points during the last quarter.
The game had a bit of everything with Rovers coach Sam Murray making a fine coaching debut and a brilliant personal game collecting over 40 possessions.
Wangaratta showed plenty under the unusual circumstances of not being eligible for the premiership points – despite the no pints they are in fifth place on the ladder.
Albury proved they are one of the sides to beat for the premiership with a brilliant display of teamwork and foot skills in a 20-point win over Yarrawonga.
The Lonsdale Reserve was packed with over 2500 fans and witnessed a superb game of football played in windy conditions.
Yarrawonga missed a great chance to take the early running when they kicked 1-6 with the breeze, while the Tigers kicked 4-0 at the other end.
When Luke Daly booted his second goal late in the second term the Albury lead was 39 points with Jacob Conlan creating havoc up forward and brother Lucas outstanding in defence.
Yarrawonga fought back and kicked six of the next seven goals to get within nine points early in the last before goals to Jeff Garlett, Jimmy Grills and Elliot Powell sealed the victory.
Leigh Williams kicked five for Yarrawonga, while Mick Gibbons was outstanding until injuring his hamstring just before three-quarter time and not returning for the last quarter.
Wodonga sits top of the table after powering away from North Albury in the final quarter to win by 55 points with gun midfielder Angus Baker again best on ground.
Baker also potted three goals and is proving a real menace pushing forward for opposition coaches. Sam Jewell also kicked three while Josh Mathey picked up 28 possessions.
North Albury showed so much promise in the first three quarters trailing by just two goals at the last break before running out of fitness as Wodonga kicked seven straight goals.
Josh Minogue showed plenty up forward with three goals, while Cayden Winter and Jack Reynolds impressed on debut – the Hoppers did not score a goal in the opening and last quarters.
Lavington held on against a fast-finishing Myrtleford at the McNamara Reserve on Sunday winning a beauty by six points.
The Panthers looked to be coasting to victory in the last quarter kicking with the breeze and leading by twenty points before the Saints fought back.
Three late goals got the margin back to six points with a minute left – Lavington hung on and chalked up its first win for 2023 with Ewan Mackinlay, Jake O’Brien and Tim Hanna again starring.
The Saints showed great improvement and tenacity with Riley Bouker, Tom Cappellari, Brody Ricardi and Ryley Sharp leading the way.
The netball court produced a different result with Myrtleford running away with a comfortable 41-26 victory under its new and exciting team and coaching structure.
Star recruits and former Corowa -Rutherglen representative players Liv Sinclair and Sophie Hanrahan starred on debut giving the Saints great hope of a finals return.
Hanrahan was simply superb at goalkeeper while co-coach Sinclair back on court after a ten-month injury layoff, led by example in the mid-court.
Wangaratta, as expected, were far too classy for the Wangaratta Rovers winning the derby 51-29 with Leah Jenvey, Georgia Clark (27 goals) and Issy Byrne dominating for the Pies.
Yarrawonga with Maddi Allen shooting 36 goals started its premiership defence in great style thumping Albury 62-31 at Mulwala.
It was a great occasion for Pigeon legend Kylie Leslie who played her 300th club game – a career that has produced six A-grade premierships and five club best and fairest after starting in 2001.
North Albury and Wodonga played out an entertaining contest at Wodonga, with the Hoppers led by coach Em Browne and goal shooter Lilly Kelly winning 5-41.
The feature of the visitors’ performance was its ability to score early goals in the first three quarters that proved pivotal – Lisa French was best for Wodonga with 27 goals along with Cassie Mathey.
