YARRAWONGA coach Bridget Cassar declared the pressure was off the Pigeons after they charged into the A grade grand final with a 49-38 win over North Albury at Bunton Park on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Pigeons skipped away in the opening quarter and were never seriously challenged as they advanced to their 11th successive flag decider.
They will meet minor premier Lavington at Lavington Sportsground on Saturday.
“We haven’t beaten them this year but every game has been two, one and three goals,” Cassar said.
“We have a hard job ahead of us, but as far as I’m concerned the pressure isn’t on us at all.
“We just have to go and work on our game.
“The girls all did well today.”
Yarrawonga led by five goals at quarter-time and seven at half-time before putting the match out of reach in the third quarter by stretching the margin to 11.
Annalise Grinter led the way for the victors while Hannah Symes was typically strong in defence.
North Albury young gun Nakita Singe once again stood up against quality opposition with support coming from Kirby Hilton and Jordan Farrugia.
Cassar put Yarrawonga’s string of grand final appearances down to sheer hard work.
“We have had a core group and obviously in Yarrawonga we don’t have any other Ovens and Murray clubs,” Cassar said.
“We work hard on the track and off the track.
“We have grown up together and want to do it for each other.
“I think we have a special thing at our club. We’re looking forward to Saturday.”
While disappointed with the result, North Albury coach Fiona Boyer said the Hoppers were continuing to build with their youth.
“We have five kids at school and what they bring is a lot of enthusiasm,” Boyer said.
“They are a good group of kids.
“We had plenty of the ball, but Yarra probably played the game a little better.”
Boyer said it was difficult to split Lavington and Yarrawonga in the grand final.
Lavington’s B grade advanced to grand final after edging out Yarrawonga 50-48 in over-time.
The Panthers accounted for Yarrawonga in the C grade 44-34.
Yarrawonga edged out North Albury 49-45 in the 16 and under.
Saturday’s grand final draw is:
A grade: Lavington v Yarrawonga at 2pm
B grade: North Albury v Lavington at 12.15pm
C grade: North Albury v Lavington at 10.30am
16 and under: Wangaratta v Yarrawonga at 9am