The Pigeons were rolled by Wodonga in the wet last weekend, gifting the rising Bulldogs three telling free kicks in the second quarter, and coach Drew Barnes said the team was ready to turn it around.

“The boys were absolutely dirty on themselves after the game last week,” he said.

“But, to their credit, they’re responded on the training track, getting a win will be important coming into the bye.”

There’s plenty riding on today’s match for both Yarrawonga and Corowa-Rutherglen, with both looking to even up their respective ledgers after 1-2 starts to the season.

“It’s a danger game, no doubt,” Barnes said.

“They’ll have a bit of momentum after a win last week and they’re an improving side.

“It’s a must-win game for us.”

After losing several reliable players leading into the season, Barnes admitted the first three rounds hadn’t gone to plan.

But he didn’t rule out a top three finish, saying the Pigeons’ best was yet to come.

“It’s too early to be looking that far ahead,” Barnes said.

“Obviously we haven’t had the ideal start to the year, but we know that if we keep picking up wins where we can we’ll be a force.

“There’s still a number of players to return from injury in the coming weeks, we know that if we keep in touch with the top end of the ladder we’ll be in a good position going into the second half of the season.”

Yarrawonga will be sporting special heritage jumpers in recognition of local servicemen.

The design is based on the one used by the club in 1914, and Barnes was confident it would give the Pigeons an extra push as they run out onto the ground.

“It’s a unique occasion, all the players are excited for something a little bit different,” he said.

“We’ll have an acknowledgement to mark Anzac Day before the game, and it’ll be a slightly different build up for some of our players compared to other matches.

“Some will bear it in mind, others less so, but having that jumper on is a great thing for this team.”