Tensions boil between leaders
There were a lot of tensions between the teams at the start of the third-round clash between the league leaders Yinnar and fourth on the ladder Yallourn-Yallourn North.
It was a hard fought game despite Yinnar creating a huge lead by the third quarter 92 points to Yallourn-Yallourn North’s 15.
Yallourn-Yallourn staged a slight come back in the last twenty minutes of the third quarter kicking six goals but it was all just too late with the scores at the final whistle Yinnar 18-3 (111) to Yallourn-Yallourn North 10-8 (68).
Yinnar started out applying some great pressure but an early breakthrough of Yinnar’s defences saw Yallourn-Yallourn North scoring an easy first goal that trickled across the line in the first quarter.
There was a bit of tension in the sides, and some punches flew, costing both sides two players to the sin bin for 20 minutes. Despite this, there was some great passing and grabs from both sides but Yinnar got the edge ending the first quarter Yinnar.
It was a dominating Yinnar side that came out flying in the second quarter. Both teams started the quarter with two players still with 10 minutes in the sin bin.
For the majority of the quarter Yinnar held the game in their half of the field and gave Yallourn-Yallourn North minimal chances to get into their stride.
Just as everyone thought it was all over for Yallourn-Yallourn North as Yinnar came out totally in charge scoring five goals in the first five minutes.
Yinnar managed to pull some tricks out of the hat and kept the majority of the game in their half for the rest of the quarter, managing to pull many rabbits out of the hat with six goals to pull back some much needed points.
Yinnar still ahead though at the end of the third quarter 16-2 (98) to Yallourn-Yallourn North’s 8-5 (53).
Both teams held their own during the last quarter with neither side giving much away. Even pressure was being applied by both teams and both teams only managed to score two goals apiece.
Yinnar coach Jamie Aitken said he was delighted with his team’s performance.
“I’m absolutely wrapped with the team’s performance, especially in the second quarter,” he said.
“I put it on the lads to keep up the intensity and the tackle rate, and this kept us on top of the game.
“After half time, Yallourn/Yallourn came out revved up and we just dropped our intensity, having created such a big gap we probably slowed and our execution dropped off.
“They only outscored us by a goal and a couple of points in the third quarter so I was happy with that..
“We’re obviously pumped to have won three games in a row but its early days .
“Next week will be a tough one, as I regard Newborough as the yardstick. They are an older more mature team so we will just have to see how we go.
Liam Visser played his first game in about three years and kicked five goals.
Aitken said that there a few of the guys in the team who are just good mates in their twilight years, just trying to have fun and passing on their experience to the younger players.
Yallourn-Yallourn North coach Adam Bayley said it was a disappointing result.