Yarrawonga has gatecrashed Dan Leslie’s record-breaking milestone match with a clinical display.
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Leslie toppled Stan Sargeant’s North Albury games record, but the Pigeons showed the Hoppers are still a way off the top five sides with a 17.14 (116) to 8.7 (55) win.
“We did the simple things well and won each quarter,” Yarrawonga coach Damian Sexton said.
But he was quick to praise Leslie’s influence.
“Dan Leslie’s one super player, super person and super competitor,” he said.
“I thought it was a credit to Dan Leslie, he played a bloody good game himself, he took some really good pack marks.
“He just didn’t get to the games record, he actually played well.”
The 35-year old was in the Hoppers’ best in his 290th match.
The veteran might have deservedly stolen all the pre-match publicity, but it was a player almost half his age who featured.
“Ryan Bruce’s running game is probably as good as the best players in the league,” Sexton said.
Bruce played in a variety of positions, including on the wing and half-forward.
“I like the youngsters playing on the good players so that they learn because they’re at an age to be educated by the better players,” Sexton said.
“The previous week I had him rolling with (Albury’s Chris) Hyde, but today (Saturday) he was freed up.”
Boom Goulburn Valley recruit Harry Wheeler again starred in the midfield.
“Look, he’s still got more to come too as he’s still adjusting to our team and what people do and the speed and intensity of the league,” Sexton said.
“One of the things he does so well is he wins his own ball.”
Nick Lawless and Brad O’Connor kicked three goals apiece, while Morris Medal runner-up Mark Whiley chipped in with two.
Along with Leslie, Dylan Hartin and Mitch Mahady were the Hoppers’ best.
North should bounce back when it faces a bitterly disappointing Wangaratta Rovers in round three.