Under 16
Albury 8.10 (58) defeated Yarrawonga 2.5 (17)
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The players were looking to redeem themselves after last week’s disappointing showing against the Raiders.
The Under 16 players came ready to play against the top-of-the-table and undefeated Albury side.
With a concerted focus on their attack on the footy, the boys’ intent across the four quarters was much better.
The backs were again relentless and stood tall as the Albury side kept peppering the inside 50s, while the midfielders worked tirelessly with little rest and the forwards focused on pressure and fight.
The young side kept Albury goalless in the second quarter and had a similar number of shots in the third quarter but failed to capitalise on some half chances.
Albury scored a couple of late goals in the third quarter, which halted any hopes of an unlikely upset victory.
The Under 16 players have now completed a tough three-week block against the top three sides.
An upbeat week on the training track will see the boys take on St Patrick’s next Sunday in a must-win game. St Patrick’s has also won three games, making it an important clash as the season reaches its midpoint.
Best: Ibrahim, Hargreaves, Reeves, Wren, Stevens, Renau, Runnalls, Maxted and Pettit.
Goalkickers: Ibrahim, Lawless.
Under 14s
Albury 14.16 (100) defeated Yarrawonga 3.7 (25)
A gritty contest in tough conditions saw Yarrawonga battle hard against a strong Albury outfit.
The first quarter was an even arm wrestle, with Yarrawonga controlling large periods of play but unable to capitalise on the scoreboard.
Albury made the most of its opportunities, particularly in the second quarter, to gain the ascendancy and put the Pigeons under pressure.
Finnin George and Parker Cowan controlled the backline strongly all day, while Charlie Bourke, Elliot Tresize, Tom Hicks and Charlie Carlyle all contributed strongly through the midfield and around the contest.
To Yarrawonga’s credit, the game remained fiercely fought for the remainder of the match, with plenty of effort and commitment shown right to the final siren.
While the Tigers ultimately proved too strong, there were positive signs in the way the group competed throughout the day in difficult conditions.
The same effort and commitment will see the boys win plenty more games throughout the remainder of the season.
Best: Finnin George, Charlie Bourke, Parker Cowan, Elliot Tresize, Tom Hicks and Charlie Carlyle.
Goals: Benji Wollington, Oscar Leary and Darby Bigger.
Under 12s
Albury 4.4 (28) defeated Yarrawonga 3.1 (19)
Captain: Ollie McDonald.
Spearheaded by the “small but mighty”, some new young recruits and a belief to win, the spirited and vocal Yarrawonga Pigeons took to the damp field against the bigger-bodied Albury Tigers.
It was Lucas Rudd in the ruck and Ollie McDonald at full forward who took charge early, bringing the same intensity and attacking form from the previous two weeks out to play again.
Albury pushed forward early, but young Sam Hicks showed Albury his defensive intentions, aided by Zack Briffa and Alex Mulquinney, who built a wall that made it difficult for Albury’s forwards to convert.
Young Brayden Nish’s tackling pressure also contributed to keeping Albury goalless.
Ned O’Brien absorbed the early physicality from Albury and Yarrawonga’s midfield started moving the ball more freely.
Consistent pressure was applied by Ernie Buerckner and Alex Mulquinney, helped by Lucas Rudd through the middle.
While up forward, Yarrawonga proved worthy, with Jack Cummins showing great enthusiasm.
A pressure-packed first quarter saw the scores tied at 0.1-0.1 at the siren, at which point the coaches praised the positioning of key on-baller Alex Mulquinney and encouraged the small Pigeons against some bigger Albury bodies.
Albury surged in the second quarter with three unanswered goals. Despite some strong passages of play up forward, Yarrawonga remained goalless.
George Watson worked hard at half-back, with the smalls of Angus Douglas and Ernie Buerckner trying to create momentum and prevent Albury from running away with the game.
Sam Hicks also provided solid running defensive pressure, but Albury’s tall timber held dominance heading into half-time.
Buerckner, Nish, Mulquinney and Simmons were notable mentions at half-time.
The start of the third quarter saw Yarrawonga retaliate with a sensational running goal from Ned O’Brien.
This began a productive quarter for him. Isaac McMillan found his feet with some nice clean-up work. Alex Mulquinney sustained some hits but persistently delivered around the stoppages.
Nic Liddell worked tirelessly, picking the ball up from the ground and driving it forward.
Albury was kept goalless in the third quarter, with high praise from the coaches for the likes of Liddell.
The fourth quarter saw Brayden Nish shine, with a running launch off his signature left foot that bounced through and brought the crowd to its feet. Zack Briffa defended superbly and Ned O’Brien switched the afterburners on.
A goal to Albury in the final five minutes was quickly answered by the combined brilliance of Ned O’Brien and Ollie McDonald, along with the stellar scrummage work of Ernie Buerckner, resulting in a much-needed goal to Yarrawonga.
A smother late in the game from Taj Einsporn showed the Pigeons’ never-say-die attitude.
Albury claimed the final win by a margin of nine points.
Next week the Pigeons take on St Pat’s.
Best: Brayden Nish, Ned O’Brien, Zack Briffa, Alex Mulquinney, Nic Liddell, George Watson and Sam Hicks.