In what was expected to be a fairly one-sided round in the Ovens and Murray Football Netball League it turned into a competitive and high-quality set of matches.
The round featured a return to form by Wangaratta Rovers and three very brave performances in defeat by Wodonga, Myrtleford, and North Albury.
Wodonga copped its fifth defeat in a row but may have found something like its early season form that will need to be maintained if it is to hold onto its fifth place.
They started the game in brilliant fashion kicking the first four goals of the game against the inform Wangaratta to look like repeating its round two upset win.
The Magpies gradually worked their way back into the game with Morris Medal winner Cal Moore kicking seven goals in a match-winning performance.
Ruckman Chris Knowles dominated against his young opponent Zac Nugent, with Jackson Clarke and Hunter Gottschling outstanding in the midfield.
Albury was made to work extremely hard for its 26-point win against a plucky Myrtleford who had Simon Curtis in great form to be best afield in a losing side.
Curtis kicked four goals and had almost thirty possessions as the Saints kicked five goals in a superb second-term fightback.
Albury finished the better in the second half with Tom O’Brien, Riley Bice, and Isaac Muller leading the charge. Matt Walker kicked three goals in his return.
Ryley Forrest did an excellent job on curtailing Tigers gun forward Jacob Conlan to one goal, while Ryley Sharp and Tyler Harrington were also excellent over four quarters.
An undermanned North Albury put up a very bold showing at Yarrawonga going down by 23 points despite missing several key players.
Tim Broomhead (suspended) and Julian Hayes with a potential season-ending finger injury were out along with Jackson Weideman and Sam Azzi on VFL duties.
Veteran Kade Brown led the young Hoppers superbly with Jack Penny, Josh Minogue, Jack Reynolds, Fletcher Ramage and Jack King in great touch.
Mark Whiley continued his wonderful season, while the Wheeler brothers Willie and Harry enjoyed the clever ruck work of Lachie Howe.
Wangaratta Rovers arrested its form slump with a thumping and a most important percentage-boosting win over Wodonga Raiders by 89 points at WJ Findlay Oval.
Key forwards Alex Marklew and Tom Boyd both kicked five goals feasting on the great work of young guns Justin Lewis, Alex McCarthy and Toby Murray.
With Wodonga’s loss, the Rovers have jumped a game clear of the Bulldogs in 4th place and are now two games clear of Lavington and North Albury outside the five.
The Raiders’ loss was one of its most disappointing for the season with star midfielder Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Cooper Smith and Tom Bracher their best.
On the netball court, Raiders maintained its strong season and third place with a convincing 64-37 win over bottom-placed Rovers.
Ava Koschitzke and Maggy St John were best for the Raiders, while for the Rovers Kelsie Wilson and Rebecca Kreltszheim tried everything against the odds.
North Albury made ladder leaders Yarrawonga work hard in its 40-60 loss, with its third-quarter effort to outscore the Pigeons a promising sign for the future.
For Yarrawonga, their depth under the goal ring was highlighted with Kaleisha Pell netting 29 and the dangerous Maddi Allen 14 as the Pigeons remain unbeaten.
Wangaratta as expected proved too powerful for the young Wodonga side winning 68-36 with the trio of Amy Byrne, Amanda Umanski & Brooke Pryse at their best.
Wodonga started in good style but just could not stop the Magpie’s depth and talent despite great efforts from Cassi Mathey and Ellie Ainsworth.
Myrtleford has pretty much secured a finals spot with a 50-32 win over sixth-placed Albury and moves two games and percentage ahead of Albury.
Sophie Hanrahan and Sally Botter starred for Myrtleford, while Brigetta Singe and Lilli Howe were the pick of the Tigers.
Why wait ’till Wednesday for outdated newspapers?
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