Border Mail |
SATURDAY’S bumper crowd at J.C. Lowe Oval was the biggest at the ground since 1979, according to long-time Yarrawonga president Glenn Brear.
In a financial windfall for the Pigeons, between 6000 to 8000 people turned out for the Ovens and Murray blockbuster with Brear believing the number was closer to the latter figure.
Yarrawonga ordered 4000 copies of The Critic and sold out.
“The planets just aligned,” Brear said.
“We had great weather, the Ovens and Murray’s two undefeated teams were playing on the long weekend and we had a sensational game of football.
“You couldn’t ask for a better day.
“The only crowd I can remember coming close to this was in 1979 when Corowa had just joined the league and played Yarrawonga in a qualifying final with Peter Chisnall and Noel Long coaching.
“The venue was decided by a toss of the coin.”
Brear believed Saturday’s crowd was comparable to star full-forward Brendan Fevola’s controversial debut for Yarrawonga against Lavington at Mulwala’s Lonsdale Reserve last year.
The Pigeons took more than $100,000 in gate takings and catering income, before costs, with national media turning out in their droves to watch the former AFL star kick seven goals and be reported.
“I would have thought Saturday’s crowd would have been similar to that game,” Brear said.
“I haven’t seen anything like it at Yarra for a long time.
“There were a lot of people in town for the weekend and Albury has one of the best followings in the league as well.
“I would have thought it was a great day for our club and the league in general.
“It was fantastic to see the number of kids out on the ground having a kick during the breaks.”
In another sidelight, the Pigeons organised a Clydesdale-driven CUB beer wagon from Melbourne to do a lap of the ground before the match.
Yarrawonga firmed as flag favourites with a gritty 10-point win over the Tigers after trailing 22 points at half-time.
Fevola’s former teammate Lance Whitnall turned up to watch the game.
