Ovens & Murray: Wang Rovers have 4-1 record against Yarrawonga in grand finals
Yarrawonga and Wang Rovers have resurrected a rivalry that dates back to the early 1970s, as they prepare to meet in a grand final for the sixth time.
Former Geelong star Steve Johnson can cap his two seasons as Yarrawonga coach as the first man to lead the club to premiership glory against old foe Wangaratta Rovers in 65 years.
One of the Ovens & Murray league’s most underrated rivalries has been rekindled with Sunday’s grand final their first showdown in the premiership-deciding match since 1991 when the Rovers reversed a second semi-final defeat to beat Yarrawonga.
Rovers also downed Yarrawonga in grand finals three times in four years in the early 1970s with the 1974 victory again coming after a second semi-final defeat.
The 1971 and 1972 losses were even more painful when Rovers came from the sudden-death first semi-final to beat the Pigeons in the grand final.
Yarrawonga won the only other grand final meeting in 1959 when Bill Stephen led the Pigeons to their first O&M flag to deny the Rovers a hat-trick of premierships under their legendary coach Bob Rose.
The Geelong triple premiership player and Norm Smith medallist has only been at Yarrawonga for two years, but admits he’s had a crash course from long-suffering fans on the antipathy towards the Rovers.
“They have played a lot of finals over the years and some supporters have certainly reminded me of the fact there is quite a strong rivalry,” Johnson said.
“I’ve experienced it between the Wang Magpies and Wang Rovers as a kid growing up.
“But I think it’s equally as big between these clubs.”
Yarrawonga enters the grand final as hot favourites after thrashing the Rovers in the second semi-final by 71 points.
Rovers coach Sam Murray (suspended) and onballer Sam Cattapan (concussion) missed, but the star pair were back when they ended North Albury’s fairytale run in the preliminary final on Sunday.
“They had a couple of key players out and they would have been disappointed with the way they played,” Johnson said.
“We expect it to be a really hard, contested style of footy certainly early on in the grand final.”
Yarrawonga has won premierships in 2006, 2013, 2014 and 2023 since Rovers last played in a grand final in 2002 and won a flag in 1994.
Johnson said small forward Nic Fothergill, who hasn’t played since round 17 with a hamstring injury, was a chance of playing.
“We won’t pick him unless we’re confident he’s ready to go, but if he trains well this week it’s a no-brainer for us,” he said.
Rovers had no fresh injuries from the preliminary final and could regain Dylan Stone for the grand final.
Johnson is weighing up coaching options for next year in Geelong after knocking back the chance to coach his original club, Wangaratta.
He will be replaced as Yarrawonga coach by key forward Leigh Williams.
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