Yarrawonga is looking to reclaim its title as a perennial finalist

You still think of that record-smashing six straight grand finals between Albury and Yarrawonga as the other day, but it's actually been eight years.

And Yarrawonga hasn't been a genuine contender since a Josh Porter-inspired Wangaratta won a thrilling 2017 preliminary final.

Albury and Wodonga are traditionally known as having large supporter bases, but a Pigeons' crowd on a sunny day takes some topping.

ARRIVALS

Michael Gibbons (Carlton), Leigh Williams (Norwood, Eastern FL), Jordan O'Dwyer, Nick Fothergill (Tatura), Jye Cross (Leopold), Ryan Einsporn (back from Melbourne)

DEPARTURES

Jett Smith (Queensland), Joel O'Dwyer (Geelong University), Josh Tonna (Rennie)

WHAT WE SAY

ANDREW MOIR: The Pigeons have a gun top 10, but the bottom six will count against them in the big games.

BRENT GODDE: Yarrawonga started the season last year on the receiving end of a 94-point spanking from the Tigers and never recovered. There is no prizes for guessing the Pigeons will be the league's biggest improvers after a big off-season on the recruiting front and only winning three matches last year. The Pigeons' finals fate could hinge on their bottom six players who could be exposed against the powerhouses in Wangaratta and Albury.

STEVE TERVET: Rival clubs expect Yarrawonga to be the big improvers this season and the competition will be better because of it.

Q&A WITH NICK FOTHERGILL

Q: When you signed, football director Leigh Ramsdale praised your decision making, is that your strength?

A: I suppose people would see me as being pretty clean (with the ball), I'm more of a midfielder, but I can push forward as well.

Q: You were a joint winner of the Canberra Demons best and fairest (with ex-Adelaide rookie Ben Dowdell) in 2015, was that all part of a plan to reach the highest level?

A: Absolutely, when I was younger, I missed out of the (Murray) Bushrangers, so when the opportunity came to play at a state league level, I jumped at it. I always had that philosophy of getting the most out of yourself.

Q: Were you ever given a reason why you missed selection with the Bushies?

A: No, but when you're not super tall (176cms) or super athletic, you've probably got to have something else going for you in those talent pathways, you can fall by the wayside pretty quickly.

Q: You spent time at VFL club Williamstown, but never played a senior game yet you captained the club in a pre-season game, that's a huge honour, what's the key to being a good leader?

A: You've just got to lead by example, your actions always speak the loudest, that always holds you in pretty good stead.

SO CAN THEY WIN THE COMP?

Absolutely. Look, you would still have them fourth cab off the rank behind Albury, Wangaratta and Myrtleford (in any order), while Wangaratta Rovers would argue they too are ahead in the pecking order. And it's a fair call because as good as the Pigeons have recruited, and they are dux of the class, they only won three games last year. That is a long way to come.

IS THEIR TOP 10 THE LEAGUE'S BEST?

If there's a better one, it's a photo finish. The Pigeons signed four profile players and history (think former Albury superstars Chris Hyde and Dean Polo) shows a 26-year-old straight from the AFL like Michael Gibbons is as good as anyone. Leigh Williams has kicked more than 600 goals in a decade in the powerful Eastern Football League, Jye Cross was a gun defender in the Geelong Football League and Nick FothergIll is a bush gun. Then there's best and fairest Leigh Masters, the Wheeler brothers (Willie and Harry), plus a rejuvenated Brandon Symes, ex-VFL ruck Lach Howe and coach Mark Whiley.

IN OTHER NEWS:

SHOULD MARK WHILEY CHANGE HIS GAME?

In terms of leadership and courage, no. But in terms of position, yes. Whiley is one of the league's fittest players, but he simply took too much on, particularly last year in his first coaching stint. The cavalry has arrived and Whiley doesn't need to be everywhere. It's not his go to sit back and watch the game flow, but perhaps from a coaching point of view he can do that. Of course, his first job is to get a kick, but the goal posts have changed. Plus, since sadly breaking his hand in mid-2018, he's had a frustrating injury run, so to keep his head out of every contest, like he did, might also help him and therefore the team.

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