Pigeons A Grade claim 10th premiership

By Yarrawonga Chronicle

Sep 24, 2024

The powerhouse Yarrawonga Pigeons A Grade claimed their 10th Ovens and Murray premier with an 8-goal victory over 2024 minor premiers, Wodonga Raiders, at the Lavington Sportsground. Photo by Les_Garbutt

Laura joins dad as premiership coach

Tilly Kennedy moves the ball into the attacking half in the second quarter. Photo by Les_Garbutt

Yarrawonga 40 def Wodonga Raiders 32

In 1989 with Pigeons in crisis, Neil Davis guided the Pigeons football team home and now in 2024 his daughter Laura, along with co-coach Laura Ryan, has guided a senior premiership in the netball.

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The 2024 flag, was the Pigeons 10th, with a finish no worse than 3rd since the early 2000s. A more dominant era would be hard to find in sport.

Laura Irvine searches for a well positioned teammate in the goal circle. Photo by Les_Garbutt

It was the second-quarter push that saw the Pigeons establish a nine/ten goal buffer that they maintained to close out the grand final contest 40-32.

Kaleisha Pell only has eyes for the net. Photo by Les_Garbutt

The defense of Emily Laracy and Kylie Leslie set the win up, with Laracy earning the Paula Cary Medal for best on court.

Co-coach Laura Ryan capitalised on intercept opportunities in the midcourt. Photo by Les_Garbutt

Young star Pigeon Kaleisha Pell was dominant at the other end shooting 29 goals. Her partnership with Bridget Cassar and Maddy Allan defining the contest.

Laura Irvine simply controlled the mid court and Tilly Kennedy's 100th game is one that she is unlikely to forget.

Maddy Allen pivots into position in the last quarter. Photo by Les_Garbutt

Whilst the Pigeons dominated the contest all day, the momentum swung throughout the first half particularly, but the experienced heads of Yarrawonga found a way to keep the Pigeons in a winning position.

Em Laracy jumps high to prevent a Raiders goal.

The 2024 season was not without adversity, not the kind of '89, but with an excellent blend of youth and experience the team of 2024 earned their place in the record books.