BRAD O’Connor kicked nine goals as Yarrawonga roared back into form with a 108-point belting of Corowa-Rutherglen at John Foord Oval.
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The Pigeons’ forward line has been the “Fev and Petts show” in recent seasons but on Sunday it became the “Pie and Sauce special” as O’Connor teamed superbly with big man Damon Symes, who kicked five goals of his own in the 20.18 (138) to 4.6 (30) victory.
Co-coach Chris Kennedy was thrilled with the nature of Yarrawonga’s emphatic victory, which followed a draw against Wangaratta and a heart-stopping one-point win over Wodonga.
Seasoned campaigners Craig Ednie, Tim Cooper and Tyler Bonat were among the Pigeons to step up against the inexperienced Roos.
“The last two weeks we haven’t been at our best but the boys brought a good attitude today,” Kennedy said.
“They played pretty hungry, which has probably been lacking for a couple of weeks.
“The older guys played really well for us. They were the ones who identified our effort wasn’t where we wanted it to be and they certainly brought good effort today.
“Craig Ednie has played three games now, Tim Cooper is getting more consistent and having Brady Pritchard back helped our leg-speed.
“We’ve been flat-lining a bit in the last couple of weeks so hopefully we can start moving in the right direction now and build a bit of momentum.”
Riley Welsh rucked all day for the Pigeons, which allowed Kennedy and Drew Barnes to park Symes permanently in the forward line.
Kennedy said the Pigeons were determined to not under-estimate the Roos, who had been competitive without registering a victory in the opening month.
The Pigeons take on Myrtleford in round six, with the Saints coming off a stirring victory against grand finalist Lavington.
“I think what’s happening in the comp now is that sides are hunting sides and if your mental state isn’t there, upsets are happening,” Kennedy said.
“Sides are vulnerable if they’re off their game.”
Tyson Logie, Jack Bates, and skipper Hayden Filliponi were young Roos to impress against the Pigeons.
Corowa-Rutherglen coach Terry Burgess couldn’t fault his side’s effort but said the Roos lacked polish delivering the ball inside their forward 50m arc.
“It was our most inexperienced side of the season today,” he said.
“We got beaten in the contested ball with their bigger bodies and they controlled the ball pretty well from there.
“Then they had Symes and O’Connor in their forward line who were clunking everything.”