Sport

Roos push Pigeons in Rumble on the River classic

By Ben Black

May 1, 2025

Corowa’s high-flying Kaelan Bradtke takes an excellent mark during the Rumble on the River against the Yarrawonga Pigeons at John Foord Oval on Saturday.

Caught! Roo Ray Murphy about to stop any effort by a Pigeon to release the football, with Roo Darcy Hope lurking.

Leon McCarthy boots the Roos forward before former Roo Cam Wilson can get close to him.

Roo Nathan Richards fiercely contesting the footy.

By Ben Black

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Corowa Rutherglen 11.11 77 def by Yarrawonga 15.7 97

Best: Darcy Hope, Tyler Roos, Tom Forrest, Kaelan Bradtke, Elijah Amery, Jack Rowston.

Goals: Kaelan Bradtke 3, Darcy Hope 3, Elijah Amery 1, Jaiden Butson 1, Jedd Longmire 1, Darcy Melksham 1.

More than 1,500 gathered to watch the bi-annual ‘Rumble on the River’ against the Yarrawonga Pigeons at John Foord Oval on Saturday.

Corowa-Rutherglen were looking to make it two wins from two games after last week’s 69-point thumping of the Wodonga Raiders over Easter Saturday.

It was a case of déjà vu early for the Roos. Big man Nathan Richards dominated the ruck, feeding the midfielders and before long, Darcy Hope — who pulled down 10 contested marks last week — took the first big grab of the match.

Hope slotted the opening major, kicking off a brilliant early chain for Corowa and they grabbed the early lead.

Kaelan Bradtke chimed in with his first major five minutes later after a clean break away from the centre clearance. However, for Yarrawonga, Matt Casey was imposing himself on the contest, taking full advantage of every opportunity and converting two quick majors to hand the Pigeons a narrow two-point lead ten minutes into the first quarter.

Darcy Hope and new recruit Jaiden Butson swung momentum back in Corowa’s favour with two clever pieces of play, lifting the Roos’ faithful.

In the second quarter, Yarrawonga controlled the tempo, stifling Corowa’s ball movement.

A costly 50-metre penalty gifted Nick Fothergill his first and moments later a Matt Casey goal with his third major.

The Roos suddenly found themselves scrambling to stay in touch.

Corowa rallied through critical goals from Bradtke, Amery and Melksham to claw their way back into the contest.

Jedd Longmire showed his class, zipping around with multiple bounces and handball receives and a on-the-run goal, highlighting his VFL experience.

The third quarter saw Yarrawonga assert full control for a solid 15 minutes, kicking three unanswered goals that proved pivotal.

Corowa needed answers, but they weren't forthcoming, until Bradtke broke the drought with his third goal, halting Yarrawonga’s momentum.

In the final stanza, Darcy Hope, with hands like a vice, converted his third major, before Bradtke added his fourth moments later.

Despite the Roos' late charge, Yarrawonga steadied and secured a hard-fought 20-point win, 15.7.97 to 11.11.77, after trailing by three points 8.4. to 8.7 at half-time.

Tom Forrest and Jack Roweston showed some solid defence throughout the game being named in the Roos’ best.

Corowa now need to turn their attention and play a strong four quarters against an under preforming Albury Tigers.

Roos’ coach Daryn Creswell later admitted: “It was a game of two halves. We need to be better in taking our chances."

Roos break 11-year hoodoo

‘You’re not going anywhere’ could well have been the silent message in this passage of play by Corowa’s Joey Ugle in last Saturday’s Reserves.

Corowa Rutherglen 16.10 def Yarrawonga 6.7 43

Best: Bailey Minogue, Deklan Yates, Aaron Spencer, Judd Kuschert, Noah Amery, Deaken Clancy.

Corowa Rutherglen’s development side continued their dream start to the season, making it three wins from three with a commanding performance against a familiar foe, the Yarrawonga Pigeons, a team they hadn’t beaten in over a decade.

The Roos seized control early, slotting the first two majors through some slick ball movement.

Deakin Clancy opened the scoring, quickly followed by a classy finish from Tommy Young.

The ruck combination of Jed Ansell, Will Bott and Judd Kuschert worked tirelessly to neutralise Yarrawonga’s big man, giving the Roos’ midfield first use of the ball.

The fresh injection of talent into the centre, highlighted by the classy Joey Ugle, paid immediate dividends as he won a mountain of possessions and drove the team forward.

The Roos extended their dominance in the second quarter, with Deaklan Yates proving unstoppable up forward.

Yates and Clancy formed a deadly partnership, causing constant headaches for the Pigeons' defenders.

By the final siren, Corowa Rutherglen had stormed to an 11-goal victory, 16.10.106 to 6.7.43. Clancy was the star, bagging seven goals to take his season tally to an impressive 23 from just three games.

Coach Ben Talarico was full of praise post-match. “Ball movement from half-back was really positive and the boys were able to control the pace of the game,” he said.

Newly appointed captain Mak Lavis continued to lead from the front, earning more praise from Talarico: “The skipper has been leading from the front to start the season.”

Next week looms as a blockbuster, with the Roos set to take on fellow unbeaten side Albury Tigers in a top-of-the-table showdown, where the outright ladder leadership will be up for grabs.

Thirds

Corowa Rutherglen 11.6 72 def Yarrawonga 8.5 53

Best: Jay Lavis, Hunter Hall, Flynn Byrnes, Ethan Lane, Jayden Forge, Isaac Dickinson.