New faces, new hopes and a thrilling clash against Yarragon

By Geoff Wyatt

POOWONG opened the 2024 season against Yarragon at home with the Club having teams available at all levels with good numbers in football and netball, juniors and seniors.

The Club has a new President in Matt Henshall following the retirement of Ted Attenborough and a new Senior Coach in Dale Carroll replacing Rod Gundrill who has moved interstate. During the off season the Club has carried out a lot of work at the club rooms with a new kitchen and the upgrading of the bar facility including new computer systems showing their commitment to local country football in the future.

On the field under the new Coach Dale Carroll they have seen the return of Jake Cochrane, Josh Chiavaroli and Jye Loughridge and the promotion of juniors Rory Nettle, Gavin Monson and Ben Fowler all very promising footballers. The Seniors have a young side but there is a lot of potential among the ranks, and we are looking forward to the 2024 season with the team growing in stature in this the 150th year of the Poowong Community.

The game started with Poowong kicking to the Nyora end in the first quarter of the 2024 season and were first on the board with a point. Both sides defences were controlling the game, play was scrappy whether it was the clash of jumpers especially from the back that caused a lot of turnovers. Both sides added points until Yarragon kicked the first goal from the pocket, Poowong broke the ice with a good goal to Josh Chivaroli and a second from Alex Henshall from tight on the boundary. Poowong led 2.5.17 to Yarragon 1.2.8.

Poowong had opportunities but failed to make the most of them where they could have been in a solid position at quarter time having seven shots to three.

The second quarter started with Poowong adding a point, play was continually on the far wing from the rooms, until Yarragon went forward from a series of passes and goaled.

Poowong’s defence was holding strong with some good marks. Zac Gray added Poowong’s third from the forward pocket but unfortunately Steven McInnes went down with a knee holding up the game.

Yarragon took advantage of the stoppage with three goals. The first a free kick, the second a running goal and on the siren their third to go in at half time two points up. 

The game was up for grabs, Poowong’s young players Rory Nettle and Gavin Monson were holding their own in their debut games and Poowong’s defence were working hard but the forwards were failing to take advantage of their opportunities.

The game did not reach any great heights as both defences were controlling the game, Yarragon’s snap added a point, before Yarragon off the pack ran in for a goal their fifth. Poowong went forward but the kick fell short, Yarragon went forward from a free kick on the boundary with the kick across goal being knocked out of bounds, from the throw in Yarragon kicked their sixth to open up fifteen-point lead. Jack Hazendonk’s kick for goal was out of bounds. Yarragon had a couple of opportunities failing to score. Three quarter time Yarragon 6.4.40 to Poowong 3.8.26.

The last quarter started with both sides hitting the post until Yarragon goaled from a free kick on the boundary. A good pass from Mitch van’t Hof to Alex Henshall resulted in Poowong’s fourth unfortunately Yarragon added a further goal from a snap. Poowong were still working hard and added their fifth with Mitch DeKleuver goaling, Yarragon scored a couple of late points then lost a player with a late yellow card. 

When the siren sounded Yarragon home by 24 points 9.9.63 to Poowong 5.9.39. Poowong were disappointed with the loss after some solid preseason games, they will be competitive and will only improve from this game as their young players gain match experience.

Next week we travel to Trafalgar for round two who also lost their first game, the thirds will play their first game after Yarragon forfeited, the fourths will be looking for their second win and the reserves are hoping to break the ice, all the best.