After being plagued by stress fractures in his back last season and failing to play a senior match, Svarc appears to have put the injuries behind after turning in his second strong practice match performance in three weeks.

He looks set to share the ruck duties with Sam Keenan in the Ovens and Murray’s blockbuster round 1 clash against Albury on April 4 with Steve McKee likely to play forward.

McKee’s form was another positive for the Pigeons against Golden Square with the former Richmond and Collingwood player kicking two goals and hassling the opposition’s defence at every opportunity.

Yarrawonga played five recruits and six third grade players as it continues to juggle commitments in the Barooga Night Series and Golden Square coach Nick Carter said it was an ideal hit-out for both sides.

“The intensity was good and that’s what we have been training towards,” Carter said.

Golden Square, who won the Bendigo league premiership last season, trailed Yarrawonga by a goal at half-time with former Pigeon Luke Hammond among its best players.

Chris Gooley was solid in defence, Cameron Thyer, Xavier Leslie and Michael Stevens won plenty of the ball in the midfield and Brad Henderson had an engrossing battle with Golden Square forward Matt O’Toole.

Meanwhile, Williamstown recruit Tom Langlands turned in an outstanding performance as Wodonga Raiders defeated Goulburn Valley league outfit Rochester by seven goals at Barooga.

Langlands racked up a mountain of possessions and received plenty of support from defenders Jack Price and Daniel Steinhauser as the Raiders ran away with the match in the second half after leading by 10 points at the main break.

It was a promising result for coach Corey Lambert in his second year in charge as the Raiders went into the clash without skipper Mark Doolan, full-forward Tony Pierri and defender Luke Martyn.