YARRAWONGA superstar Steph Tyrell admits the Pigeons rely on her.
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But Tyrell, the youngest winner of the Toni Wilson medal, remains confident the three-time reigning premier can make it four flags in a row this year.
Tyrell, who in the eyes of most is the best player in the competition, has missed two games this season.
Yarrawonga, which had previously tasted defeat just once since 2009, has lost both those games.
And while she couldn’t hide from the fact Yarrawonga relied on her in attack, the star 21-year-old said it wasn’t the only factor behind Yarrawonga losing its aura of invincibility this year with losses to Myrtleford and Wodonga.
“I guess they rely on me a bit,” Tyrell said.
“But that’s more because we don’t have any other natural goalers at the moment with ‘Bridge’ (Bridget Tait) overseas now as well.
“We’ve got a few girls who can go in there but it’s not really their natural position.
“We’re struggling with numbers a bit, too.
“We’re still waiting on players to come back from injury and stuff like that.
“Our main goal is just to make finals.”
She’s not injured and she most certainly hasn’t been dropped, so why has Tyrell missed two games, you ask?
The star shooter has spent the past three years playing with Monash University Central in the Melbourne-based State league.
Those commitments come first.
While most are mid-week games, there is the occasional weekend clash between her two teams.
But in positive news for the Pigeons, Tyrell said that clash was likely to happen just once more this season.
“There are only five games left in the season I think and one more weekend game,” Tyrell said.
“That team takes preference over Yarra.
“The travel is starting to get to me a little bit.”
While chinks are starting to appear in the Pigeons’ once seemingly impenetrable armour, Tyrell said it wasn’t a sign of decline at J.C. Lowe Oval, rather natural progression.
“We’ve been so blessed with the team we’ve had over the past few years,” she said.
“But it happens to every team”.
“You lose players and have to bring others up.”
Tyrell remained hopeful older sister and fellow Pigeon star Kylie would return over the second-half of the season.
The star defender endured her second knee reconstruction last year and is still to return from injury.