By David Ball and Alex Woods
Yarra Glen travelled up to Warburton to take on the ladder leaders in fine but windy conditions.
The home team started strongly, winning centre clearances and hitting up fast leading forwards.
The Burras kicked the first 5 goals and were in total control for the first 20 minutes of the quarter.
A long goal from Heath Chamberlain sparked the River Pigs as they started winning the ball in the midfield and getting some defensive dash to close the gap to 13 points at quarter time.
The second quarter was an even contest around the ground, the River Pig on-ballers were winning their fair share of contests.
Up forward Warby were stronger, converting 4 goals to Yarra Glen’s 3 to see their lead stretched to 23 points at halftime.
The Burras reset at halftime and as the rain came in the third quarter, Warburton’s smaller players came into their own.
The Burras were in control of the game, winning the contested ball and then using it well through good overlap running and precise switch plays out of defence.
The Burras left their opponents scoreless and only some missed set shots and kept the margin to 42 points at three-quarter time.
Despite the rain continuing and Warburton holding a comfortable lead, both sides continued to attack the contest with the River Pigs adding 3 goals to Warby’s 4.
Yarra Glen was not disgraced but the Burras did show they were the better side and worthy ladder leaders.
In the end, the Burras came away with a 14.21-105 to 8.5-53 victory.
For Warburton-Millgrove, Liam Westlake kicked another 4 goals this week, Tyler Bert and Trent Elliott both secured 2 goals and Nelson Aldridge, Tom Barr, Jack Farrugia, Bailey Humphrey Pat Huynh and Skipper, Tim McKail all got 1 each. Tyson Henry, Patrick Huynh, Tom Barr, Shawn Andueza, Dylan Walker and Blake Muir were all top performers for the match.
Best players for Yarra Glen were Tom Sullivan, Jayden Schille, Ben Ashton, Richard Wyles, Callum Morison and Jimmy Marks. Goalkickers, Josh Hawkins 2, Marcus Kikidopolous 2, Heath Chamberlain, Steven Mylas, Jayden Schille, Ryan Smith and Tom Sullivan.
An undermanned Yarra Glen Reserves took on the undefeated Warburton Millgrove and the home side took no time to show why they are the top team.
Kicking 5.6 to nil in the first quarter they controlled the ball well in the windy conditions.
Playing his first game for the season, Liam Dwyer was busy in defence for the River Pigs but most forward moves were intercepted by a well-set-up Warby defence.
Yarra Glen provided a much better contest in the second quarter, putting enough pressure to restrict the Burras to 4 goals and forcing a number of rushed behinds.
Being down 9.13 to nil at halftime, things only got more difficult for Yarra Glen as they started to tire.
Warburton added 7.5 as once again Yarra Glen couldn’t get the ball past the centre line to score.
The Burras managed to leave Yarra Glen scoreless the entire match, final scores Yarra Glen 0.0,0 to Warburton Millgrove 22.24., 156.
For the Burras, Damien Egan had another mega game kicking another 10 goals in this match, making it 48 goals in 7 games. Christian Toy kicked 3, Matt Sidari had 2 and Dave Bedggood, Jackson Blake, Noah Erickson, Jackson Jones, Marcel Kocher, Jed Tapsall and Cody Ladewig all had 1 goal each. Cody Ladewig, Christian Toy, Damien Egan, Noah Erickson, David Bedggood and Jackson Blake were all named top performers for the match.
Best players for Yarra Glen were Patty Hayes, Oscar Grenfell, Josh Dick, Liam Dwyer, Max Forbes and Dayne Downward.
Yarra Glen Netball D Grade faced the first-placed Warburton Millgrove.
Yarra Glen was celebrating Sam Chetcuti’s 100th game and their girls came out with great intensity and purpose to be just 1 goal down at quarter time.
Yarra Glen took some control in the second quarter, taking over to be ahead 14 – 12 at halftime.
Some changes for the Burras and Warby lifted in the third, able to generate turnovers and with some excellent goal-shooting they outscored Yarra Glen 12 to 2.
Yarra Glen did not give up and reduced the margin by 3 to finally go down, Yarra Glen 25 to Warburton 30.
For the Burras, Emily Kay, Tayah Humphrey and Georgia Wyatt were named best on with Tayah Humphrey putting up 17 goals and Cam Partel with 13.
Best players for Yarra Glen were Kim Christian, Chantelle Farley and Maddison Oultram.
Yarra Glen C Grade, sitting 3rd on the ladder took on the second-placed Warburton girls and the game started as a great contest.
Yarra Glen was linking up better and was cleaner with their passing to be 4 goals up at quarter time.
Warby lifted in the second and at halftime scores were locked at 14 all.
The Burras tried to remain in control for the majority of the second half. Warburrton-Millgrove would manage to get away with it, only for Yarra Glen would find a way to come back.
The last quarter was nearly goal for goal, but the Burras defence managed to shut down the opponents’ goalers and convert in attack. Patience was the key component to winning this match and Warburton-Millgrove was able to do that and hold on for a 1-point victory, 26 to 25.
For the Burras, Teagan Adams, Grace Robinson and Nicki Cole were awarded top performers and Mel Hancock shot 18 goals, Cam Holland with 6 and Ella Meerkotter with 2.
Best players for Yarra Glen were Ashley Shanks, Courtney Cochrane and Jacinda Fraser.
4th placed Yarra Glen B Grade took on the 3rd placed Warburton Millgrove.
Hopes for a tight contest were dashed early as Warby lead 14 to 2 at quarter time and stretched it to 25 to 9 by half time.
The second half was a bit slower from the Burras as fatigue slowly set in and a few easy mistakes were made but they easily held onto their lead being 16 goals up at
three-quarter time. Yarra Glen came out hard in the last quarter shooting 14 goals, but it wasn’t enough to catch the Burras who also managed to shoot 9 and take the victory by 11 goals.
Georgie Crugnale was shooting well for Yarra Glen, despite the side eventually going down 34 to 45.
Tegan Butcher, Sienna Wyatt and Alexandra Woods were awarded top performers as Jordana Butcher put up 24 goals and Alex Woods 21 scored for the Burras.
Best players for the River Pigs were Tiah Large, Georgia Crugnale (24 goals) and Natasha Bennett.
In the A Grade game, it was a contest between the top side in Warburton Millgrove and second-placed Yarra Glen.
Their previous battle was a one-sided affair, with Warby winning easily.
The Burras did get off to a good start with a score of 16-5 at quarter time and didn’t slow down in the second quarter, scoring 13 goals to Yarra Glens 7.
Warburton-Millgrove moved the ball better and their two-goal shooters were on target whereas Yarra Glen suffered numerous turnovers and their goal shooting was not up to their usual standard.
A switch to defence for Yarra Glen’s Maddy Hargrave didn’t change the momentum as the Burras moved to a 30-goal three-quarter time lead.
With Maddy Hargrave back in goals for the last the Yarra Glen girls improved their centre-court play to outscore their opponents 15 to 12 in the last.
A convincing win to Warburton, Yarra Glen going down 56 to 29.
Gabrielle Woods, Morgan Wyatt and Bianca Daniels were the bets players, the goaling duo were on today both putting up 28 goals each.
The best players for Yarra Glen were Lara Wandin Collins, Gemma Ryan and Kim Williams.
