Tigers drought breaker

IT was a bittersweet day for footy fans on Sunday at Yarram.

While Gormandale celebrated ending their 65 game losing streak which stretched back to 2022, Yarram were left gutted by the 23 point loss.

Gormandale President Benn Thexton said it felt like a grand final win.

“It was just a great day all round for the club, we won the three football matches and all but one of the netball,” Ben said

“Our core committee committed to a plan when wer were elected a couple of years ago  and that is now starting to flower,” he said

“Being locals and with generational ties to the club and the area has made a difference.”

“We have a good mix of young players just up from the thirds and mature players.  This week we were missing three of our key players,” he said.

Yarram coach Brett Mitchell conceded his side was left to rue missed opportunities and fading composure late, after going down to Gormandale in a tightly contested clash.

With the scores level or changing on six occasions, Mitchell said the result could easily have gone either way.

“I felt it was a really even game of footy that could have gone either way,” he said.

However, Yarram’s depth was tested, with four premiership players unavailable from the previous week — a factor Mitchell believed proved telling in the closing stages.

“That lack of experience probably showed in the last quarter,” he said.

Rotations were also stretched, with three players forced to back up and play two games following late withdrawals.

“Our rotations were down and I think the heat affected the players — our fitness was definitely a factor,” Mitchell said.

As the game wore on, fatigue began to impact Yarram’s composure, with costly skill errors allowing Gormandale to capitalise.

“In the last quarter, probably due to fatigue, we lacked a bit of composure and there were some key skill errors which resulted in Gormandale scoring,” he said.

“That definitely shifted the momentum.”

Mitchell was quick to credit the opposition, acknowledging the significance of the win and tipping Gormandale to be competitive this season.

“Gormandale definitely deserved the win and I think they will be a very competitive team this season,” he said.

“Full credit to them for their performance.”