Ovens and Murray: Yarrawonga holds on to win after late miss from Albury’s Jeff Garlett

The O&M grand final has been decided by less than a goal for the second year in a row. See how the final minutes played out.

Yarrawonga stared down grand final heartbreak before surviving to win its first Ovens and Murray league premiership in a decade against old sparring partner Albury on Sunday.

Former AFL player Jeff Garlett had the chance to snatch glory for Albury when he had a set shot from inside 50m with less two minutes remaining.

But Albury hearts sank when his kick fell short and star Yarrawonga defender Leigh Masters took a brilliant pack mark on the last line to save the day.

Yarrawonga held on for an 11.10 (76) to 10.12 (72) victory in a finish eerily similar to last year’s grand final when Pigeons’ forward Jess Koopman’s late set shot on goal drifted right of the goals and Wangaratta held on for a three-point win.

Wangaratta subsequently had the premiership taken from it for a salary cap breach with Yarrawonga’s flag the first to be officially recognised since 2019 after the 2020 and 2021 seasons were wiped out by Covid.

Yarrawonga coach Steve Johnson and captain Leigh Masters after the Pigeons heart-stopping grand final win over Albury. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Former Geelong star Steve Johnson became the latest Yarrawonga premiership coach in his first year at the helm.

But in a nice touch during the presentation Johnson asked his coaching predecessor Mark Whiley to come forward and help lift the premiership cup.

“It was just the effort of the players to go the distance that got us the win,” Johnson said.

“They looked like they were running over the top of us, but we found a way to dig deep.

“At times we had the momentum, but at other times they had the momentum.

“It just showed a lot of courage from the playing group to come back and hit the front.”

Yarrawonga are the 2023 Ovens and Murray league premiers.

Albury went into the grand final as underdogs, but almost produced one of its most famous wins when it led by a point at three quarter time and kicked the first goal of the final term to lead by seven points.

Logan Morey kept Yarrawonga in the game with the next goal before Bailey Frauenfelder capitalised on an Albury kick-in blunder to regain the lead for the Pigeons.

Yarrawonga’s Ryan Bruce booted an important goal in last quarter.

Ryan Bruce booted another goal from the square to make the margin 11 points and Yarrawonga looked safe.

But Albury raised one more effort with top-10 AFL draft prospect Connor O’Sullivan snapping around his body to make the margin five points.

Brydan Hodgson, who had kicked three goals, had an opportunity to kick a fourth to put Albury in front.

Albury’s Jay Hillary and Yarrawonga’s Nick Forthergill get up and close and personal in the grand final.

But his shot sailed left before Garlett had his chance to snatch victory soon after.

Johnson said he felt for Garlett, who had kicked 0.3 earlier in the match.

“You’ve got to feel for him as he probably feels as though he let his club down,” he said.

“But that’s not the case because I thought he had some important moments on the day.

“Both teams kicked a bit inaccurately during the finals series.”

Yarrawonga’s Cameron Wilson and Bailey Frauenfelder celebrate the latter’s goal in the final term.

Former Carlton player Michael Gibbons put behind him two injury-interrupted seasons to claim the Did Simpson Medal for best player on the ground with 32 possessions.

Captain Leigh Masters also played well as did Whiley, Nick Irvine, Jordan Urquhart and Harry Wheeler, who returned to the team from a long stint on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Connor O'Sullivan soars over the top of Albury teammate Isaac Muller.

Albury suffered a major blow early in the match when defender Jesse Wilson went down with a knee injury.

But other backmen, Lucas Conlan, Max Byrne and Jay Hillary performed well.

Veteran Brayden O’Hara also caused some angst for the Yarrawonga defence with 2.2.

Albury’s Riley Bice arrives late to fly over three Yarrawonga opponents in the grand final.

Albury co-coach Anthony Miles said his team would be “hurting” from the loss in its first grand final appearance since its 2018 triumph over Wangaratta.

“We are hurting, but we will be back bigger and better, don’t worry,” he said.

Miles returned mid-season from a serious lower leg injury he suffered late in 2022.

He kicked a goal that levelled the scores in the third quarter after Yarrawonga had threatened to run away with the match with two goals to Willie and Harry Wheeler after scores had been level at halftime.

Yarrawonga’s Leigh Masters tackles an Albury opponent.

Yarrawonga’s Brayden Coburn marks over Albury’s Jay Hillary.

Yarrawonga captain Leigh Masters and Albury’s Brayden O’Hara go hard at the ball.

Yarrawonga’s Logan Morey attempts to drag down Albury’s Riley Bice.

Albury’s Leigh Williams celebrates his goal in second quarter.

Albury players punch the ball clear of Yarrawonga’s Leigh Williams.

Harry Wheeler is congratulated on his third quarter goal for Yarrawonga by teammate Michael Gibbons.

Yarrawonga’s Bailey Frauenfelder wraps up Albury’s Rhys King.

Albury’s Elliott Powell soars over Yarrawonga ruckman Lach Howe.

Albury’s Rhys King is tackled by Yarrawonga’s Lach Howe.

Yarrawonga’s Leigh Williams is swamped by the Pigeons crowd after the final siren.

Yarraownga won its sixth Ovens & Murray premiership.