Drew Barnes will front the O&M tribunal tonight

Barnes was pulled up by the MRP for rough conduct against North Albury's Nick Holman, who will also front the tribunal after being reported for striking the Pigeons co-coach.

The outcome of the hearing could have significant bearing on Yarrawonga's first semi-final final clash with the Wodonga Raiders this Sunday.

Barnes was named among Yarrawonga's best against the Hoppers on Sunday after battling injury for much of the home and away season.

Meanwhile, Kayne Pettifer says the Pigeons can't afford to get ahead of themselves before Saturday's clash with the Raiders.

After suggestions mid-year that the Pigeons lacked the pace to go with premiership contenders Albury and Lavington, Pettifer said it had been the younger contingent at Yarrawonga that had driven their strong form heading into the finals.

“There's no doubt that we went through a flat spot of form through the middle of the season,” Pettifer said.

“We went away from that and turned it around on the back of some form from our younger players.

“Guys like Logan Morey, Connor Hargreaves and Brady Pritchard have really stepped up in the second half of the year, and that gives the more senior players like Craig Ednie and Xavier Leslie a lot more confidence.”

The Pigeons leading-goalkicker also praised the efforts of Jess Koopman, who was among the best on ground against North Albury.

Pettifer said he'd taken the young forward under his wing, and was pleased to see Koopman develop.

“Jess has been great, he was short of a bit of confidence at the start of the year, but I've developed a bit of a relationship with him and tried to help him out,” Pettifer said.

“He and those other kids have been playing much more consistent footy lately.

“Having both coaches out on the ground certainly helps them a lot.

“It's great for our depth to have them able to step up, it gives the whole club confidence looking forward.”