A SORELY understrength Yarrawonga has flexed its muscle with a 100-point thrashing of Echuca.
The Pigeons were without Brendan Fevola, Brad Ottens, Marcus McMillan, Kayne Pettifer, Craig Ednie, Tyler Bonat, Tim Cooper and co-coach Drew Barnes yet still had little trouble smashing the Goulburn Valley league side yesterday.
“I was really rapt with it,” co-coach Chris Kennedy said.
“The next tier of players were fantastic.
“We had seven from our reserves team that won the flag come in and the thing that impressed me most is that they immediately rose to the level.”
Brad O’Connor booted six goals while Steve McKee showed promising signs in the ruck.
Corey Greer and Matt Gorman again impressed, with Jarrod Thompson standing tall in defence.
The only downside was a broken nose to Marcus Cummins.
Meanwhile, Wangaratta’s star small forward James Wong booted six goals against Euroa at Rumbalara on Saturday.
Other Magpies to impress were utility Tom McDonagh, Josh Porter in the ruck and Michael Bordignon and David Thayer in defence.
The Magpies were missing a host of key players, including Ben Davies, Luke Mullins, Sean Johns, Aaron Braden and Kayde Surrey, while ruckman Trent Rutherford played the second half.
While no scores were kept, Pies coach Mark Knobel said his side improved in the second half.
“We’ve just got to get used to playing with each other and the different style is taking some time to get used to,” he said.
Utility Josh Roman (knee) was the club’s only injury concern.
The Magpies will now have the week off in preparation for the round 1 clash against Yarrawonga at Mulwala on Easter Sunday.
