YARRAWONGA injected some long overdue life into the Ovens and Murray league finals series with a stirring come from behind 24-point win against Wodonga Raiders in the first semi-final at W.J. Findlay Oval on Sunday.
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And guess who stepped up and played the lead role in the result the competition so desperately needed after three one-sided finals matches?
Correct, Brendan Fevola.
The match was impossible to script as Yarrawonga raced to a 37-point lead at the seven-minute mark of the second quarter with Fevola kicking six of the Pigeons’ first seven goals including a miraculous soccer goal from a boundary throw-in.
But the drama was only starting with Fevola moments later concussed and seemingly done for the day.
In his absence, the previously shell-shocked Raiders got on a roll and kicked the next seven goals to briefly hit the lead before Craig Ednie regained the lead for Yarrawonga minutes before half-time with a pressure goal from the boundary.
Jake Goldsmith kicked three goals and Ross Tungatalum added two as the Raiders took momentum away from the Pigeons.
Fevola returned to the field at the start of the second half, but he had no impact in the third as Raiders took control with a six goal to two quarter.
Goldsmith was making the most of the absence of Pigeons' key defender Connor Hargreaves, who was forced out late with a bout of flu.
He provided the focal point the Raiders sorely missed in the qualifying final to add another three goals in the third quarter.
The Raiders were on top in the middle with Hayden Heta controlling play in the ruck, Jack Dizio keeping Pigeons' dangerman Kayne Pettifer in check and Stewart Williams providing dash from defence.
The Raiders began the final term with a 24-point lead, but the game turned on its head again with the Pigeons winning clearance after clearance from the middle.
Fevola flicked the switch to kick four goals in the final term onslaught.
Experienced heads Ednie, Xavier Leslie, Tyler Bonat lifted, but so did the next generation of Jess Koopman, Jordan Daniel, Brady Pritchard and Marcus Hargreaves.
Koopman played a starring role up forward with four goals including one from the pocket which was better than any of Fevola's 10 for the match.
Yarrawonga co-coach Drew Barnes praised the efforts of the youngsters who stepped up.
"I thought it was a tough, hard game," he said.
"I am really pleased with how the boys came out in last quarter and played some good Yarra footy.
"Our younger crew lifted once our older heads got their hands on the footy."
Yarrawonga plays Lavington in the preliminary final.
