From the Border Mail
A CHRONIC case of the goal-kicking yips from Yarrawonga full-forward Brendan Fevola prevented the Pigeons from scoring an even bigger win against Wodonga Raiders at the J.C. Lowe Oval on Saturday.
Fevola was the dominant player on the ground but was badly off target in kicking 9.11 in the Pigeons’ 83-point demolition job on Raiders.
The star forward owned the Pigeons’ forward 50 metres and dragged in 16 marks.
But, he didn’t pack his goal-kicking boots as he fluffed some easy shots from close range.
Fevola’s frustrations were evident as he also conceded two 50-metre penalties.
He was off target from the outset and had 1.4 alongside his name in a quarter-time scoreline of 1.8 from the Pigeons, which, if reversed, could have laid the foundations for a three-figure flogging.
The Raiders suffered a body blow before the match when last round’s match-winner, full-forward Dean Limbach, withdrew from the selected team with a recurrence of a thigh injury.
Promising youngster Ben Murphy also dropped out of the selected team, but curiously did the runners’ job in the match.
Limbach’s replacement John Spencer came from outside the three emergencies named which could earn a fine from Ovens and Murray headquarters.
The Raiders were brave in patches but were clearly overpowered by a far superior unit.
The Pigeons’ dominance began at the centre bounces where Steve McKee totally dominated the ruck and provided an armchair ride for their deep reserves of ground level talent.
Cashing in were Jeremy O’Brien, Craig Ednie, Xavier Leslie and Matt Gorman, who ran amok.
