Ovens and Murray 2023: Yarrawonga prevails in grand final rematch
Yarrawonga prevailed in country footy’s most-anticipated clash of the weekend. Here’s how the Pigeons got it done in the O&M grand final rematch.
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Yarrawonga has extended Wangaratta’s early season pain with a 31-point win in the Ovens and Murray grand final replay at Yarrawonga on Saturday.
It was the first time Wangaratta could earn points following the club’s salary cap breach, but the Magpies remain winless after a dominant display by the Yarrawonga midfield.
The Pigeons blew the game open early in the second quarter when they banged on eight goals to three to lead by 36 points at half-time.
Young forward Ned Pendergast and last year’s O and M leading goalkicker Leigh Williams kicked four goals each.
Yarrawonga’s drive came from the middle of the ground through ruckman Lachie Howe and on ballers Willie Wheeler and Mark Whiley who had five centre clearances in succession.
Coach Steve Johnson said a first-round loss to another flag contender Albury had proven a blessing in disguise.
“The good thing about that is we had a really good look at ourselves and the areas we needed to improve on,” he said.
“It started around the contest and I thought our midfield was right on top.”
Wangaratta’s key forwards, coach Ben Reid, Callum Moore and Michael Newton, kicked 11 goals between them.
Wangaratta’s dynamic midfield from last season has been decimated with Joe Richards drafted to Collingwood and Abe Ankers and Matt Kelly yet to play this year.
“I think they kicked seven goals in 20 minutes so that was probably the ball game,” Reid said.
“We’ve had a tough start to the year, but we will learn from it.”
Meanwhile, Wangaratta is still hoping to have an appeal heard by AFL Victoria against the Ovens and Murray league board’s bombshell call to strip it of the premiership.
The AFL’s legal department has been reviewing the request for appeal for nearly a month and a final decision is expected late next week.
The club is exploring other legal avenues to reclaim the premiership if the appeal bid is rejected.
Wangaratta elected not to appeal the initial penalties handed out by AFL North-East Border and blamed an “administrative error” for the over payments.
Yarrawonga 16.18 (114)
Wangaratta 12.11 (83)
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