Darcy Hope was at his enigmatic best against the league's best midfield group at the Pigeons’ JC Lowe Oval on Saturday.
Yarrawonga 15.13.103 def Corowa Rutherglen 4.7.31
Goals: Darcy Hope 2, San Dunstan 1, Jesse Johnstone 1.
Best: Darcy Hope, Brady Morton, Jesse Johnstone, Mak Lavis, Joe Hansen, Tom Forrest.
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Winter conditions had well and truly hit Yarrawonga's JC Lowe Oval on Saturday as the Roos took on the Pigeons in a tough encounter.
Despite the scoreline the Roos applied plenty of pressure on the Pigeons.
Corowa Rutherglen had a new look in charge on Saturday, with Coach Steve Owen handing the keys to assistant Brady Morton to get a taste of the hot seat whilst supporting from the bench.
Morton brilliantly took on the playing coach role and, while making some positive adjustments to the game plan, also managed to attract plenty of possession and pressure acts himself.
The reigning premier Pigeons came out fast, but struggled to convert their opportunities, while the Roos were maintaining a high level of pressure around the ball carrier.
While Yarrawonga had plenty of scoring efforts, the Roos ensured they were not easy chances, led once again by their stifling backline.
Ryan Eyers once again proved his status as a rising star, keeping Pigeons’ key forward, Leigh Williams, to just a single major for the game.
Young gun Ryan Eyers had the task on champion forward Leigh Williams, once again proving his status as a rising star, keeping Williams to just a single major for the day.
The back pack featured heavily in the best, with Mak Lavis, Tom Forrest and Joe Hansen all putting together terrific games despite the home side's regular flow of forward entries.
Lavis' intensity and effort really led the way for all of his teammates, and he has made some big strides in 2024 as a top-line defender.
Forrest, still part of the Under 18s Bushrangers, took on another tough senior opponent and never looked out of place, whilst working in tandem with Eyers to control the air. Hansen was leading from the front yet again, using his rebounding pace and elite foot skills to work the ball out of defensive 50.
However, the enigmatic Darcy Hope was best afield, thrust into a midfield hit out against the league's best midfield grouping.
Hope used his incredible mix of speed and strength to bully opponents off the ball and create plenty of opportunities for the Roos all day.
Unfortunately for the young Roos, the home side just had too much quality around the ball, and their former AFL/VFL veterans proved their class in difficult conditions.
The Roos maintained a high level of pressure around the ball carrier on Saturday..
The Roos will have this week off with a general league bye, before taking on Myrtleford at home on August 3.
Corowa Rutherglen Reserves took on the Pigeons in freezing temperatures and the game started slowly for the Roos.
Yarrawonga surged to a six-goal break before Bailey Minogue chimed in with a handy major, converting a composed goal 35 metres out against the wind.
It wasn’t long until Jack Keys stormed in with the Roos’ second goal and his first with a good passage of play.
Although the lead was out of Corowa’s reach before halftime, it was an effort to keep their heads up with the Roos trying valiantly to keep up with the experienced Yarrawonga outfit.
Kane Quirk, Aaron Spencer, Ben Black, and Jed Ansell’s continued commitment to the Reserves, showing up each week shouldn’t go unnoticed. Yarrawonga was too strong in the end. Thanks to the third’s boys for stepping up this week.
The Roos have a bye next week, so hopefully, the return of a few key players might be back for Myrtleford.
Saturday’s game against Yarra was the first true country Victoria winter day this season. It was cold, windy and drizzled with rain.
The first term was a great hit out, playing 14 a side. Both teams adapted to the windy conditions really well. Utilising the extra space on the ground the Roos were able to move the footy with more freedom and really back our runners going forward and ended up with our noses in front at the first break.
Although the Roos lost the lead in the second term, they had some really positive passages of play and were able to move the ball the best we had for the year.
The mids battled hard each way and managed minutes really well with limited rotations.
As Yarra started to get the game on their terms after the main break, some of the defensive efforts and one-percenters from our boys were a pleasure to see, considering things weren’t going the Roos’ way on the scoreboard.
The Roos continued their attempt to claw back in the last quarter but were unable to capitalise on their inside 50s.
Again, you could not fault the boys' effort and resilience to give up until the final siren.
And then for some of them to go play in the reserves and give another four quarters is something as a club we are extremely thankful and grateful for.
A credit to those who have helped out when things are tough. This does not go unnoticed.
Thirds Awards - Isaac Dickinson, Lenny Hill, Rory Beattie, Declan Thomson.
Club report
The Roos head into a bye round to rest up for the last 4 games. Next home game is August 3 against Myrtleford Saints. The club will be holding their Ladies’ Day from 1pm onwards, come and watch the A grade netball also. Tickets available on the club’s website.
Roo Lotto winners: 210 - Alex Finlayson, 211- Nicole Griffin.
