BRENDAN Fevola farewelled Yarrawonga with a nine-goal haul in the Pigeons’ 98-point hiding of Wangaratta Rovers at Mulwala on Sunday.
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But the farewell performance almost didn’t eventuate after the I'm a Celebrity....Get Me Out of Here winner strained a quad muscle playing for Frankston Park on Good Friday.
Fevola, who will play for Deer Park in Melbourne this year, needed reassurance from co-coach Chris Kennedy to take his place at Lonsdale Reserve.
“I rang ‘Keya’ (Kennedy) and said ‘I don’t think I can play’ because I didn’t want to play and be the reason we got beat but he just said ‘it’s a celebration and we want you to play’,” he said.
“I was only supposed to stay in the goal-square but I got all excited and started running.
“Luckily it worked out okay. We had a great win and it’s great to play with some old premiership teammates and the new batch coming through.
“It’s the perfect way to go out.
“I loved it, I was that excited out there.”
Fevola said Yarrawonga will always hold a special place in his heart after after four seasons and two premierships with the Pigeons.
“When I drove into town with the missus and the kids, they always yell out ‘Yarrawonga’ when we see the sign and I got butterflies in my tummy,” he said.
“I just love the place and I love the people and I’m just happy I was able to come out today and kick a few goals and take a few grabs.
“They’ve given me a lot over the past four years and it’s made me a better person.
“If I didn’t come to Yarrawonga, who knows what would’ve happened.
“They’ve really looked after me and I was just rapt they gave me an opportunity to play another game here.
“I’ll be keeping a close eye on the Pigeons.”
- More O&M: P36-37
