Yarrawonga has bounced back to form with a 51-point win over Wodonga Raiders.
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After conceding the first two goals, the visitors quickly gained control in posting a 16.9 (105) to 7.12 (54) win.
“Any win away from home at the moment is important,” Pigeons’ co-coach Chris Kennedy said.
Nuggety midfielder Matt Gorman can no longer be considered underrated as he’s now a crucial member of the Pigeons’ midfield, racking up 31 possessions and two goals, while Connor Hargreaves was outstanding in defence.
Teenage debutant Bailey Frauenfelder hit the post with his first kick, but no made no mistake with his second as he landed two majors.
The one negative though was the report of forward Brad O’Connor, who kicked four goals, but has been charged with rough conduct following a tackle on Aaron Spargo in the final term.
Yarrawonga was coming off rare successive losses since emerging as the dominant force, alongside Albury.
The Pigeons had been beaten in the middle against Albury and Wodonga, but once Gorman and Co. gained the upper hand, the visitors never relented.
Yarrawonga led by 39 points at half-time, but the move of Brock Knights from defence to attack kick-started the home team.
“We had a chance to be two goals down and we missed a few,” Raiders’ coach Daryn Cresswell said.
“I thought the third quarter was the footy we play, but the second quarter was really disappointing.
“We just allowed them to control the ball by foot, as ‘Yarra’ do, and we weren’t able to disengage that.”
Despite the loss, it was a vastly improved display after a poor effort against Lavington.
“It was a giant step forward from last week and I think we’re going to get better the longer the year goes,” Cresswell said.
“There was some really positive ball movement and we just need to tidy up on the defensive part of the game.”
Brodie Filo added to his highlights reel with a blistering goal midway through the first term.
He sizzled around two opponents and raced clear for a wonderful finish.
Filo picked up double-figure possessions in the first stanza, before the Pigeons moved the equally pacy Bronson Schofield to him.
“He (Filo) just got hold of us a bit early and Bronson’s a very fit guy, so I thought he did a great job, even though Filo still got a lot of the ball,” Kennedy said.
“He was under pressure all day.”
Another highlight was the form of exciting youngster Matt Neagle, who made a series of dashing runs.