Outer East league: The key players in Yea Tigers’ first win in 1114 days

The Yea Tigers — the local footy side that sat out season 2023 — were back with a bang, celebrating their first win in 1114 days.

The Tigers beat Yarra Glen by 84 points, and the reserves won, too — making it a day to remember for the yellow and black.

Throw in an eye-catching senior debut by a speedy 16-year-old, and an eight-goal haul by a mercurial forward, and the Tigers had plenty to celebrate.

After spending 2023 in recess, Yea’s football teams have returned with talent and depth.

Yea senior coach Mitch Skelly believes the Tigers can even play finals in OEFNL Division 1 this season.

“We believe that we can be pushing for the last finals spot or at least be in contention for that,’’ he said.

“But we needed to get that first win so that everyone believes in what we’re doing, so Saturday was important in building that belief.”

Inspired by captain Patrick Evans, Yea hurried to a 20-point lead at quarter time and then kicked another 20 goals in the next three quarters to walk off resounding victors, 23.12 (150) to 10.6 (66).

Evans kicked three goals and provided drive out of the middle.

Sam Gregory, 16, gave the Tigers a shot of energy with his pace.

“He was awesome,’’ Skelly said of Gregory.

“He brings heaps of speed, pressure and he kicked a nice goal from about 45m out. He’s not one just for the future but he’s shown he can play at senior level already.’’

Dynamic small forward Corbin Sutherland slotted eight goals to take his career tally to 993.

James Marasco played his first game for the season and provided a strong target at centre half forward, booting two goals.

“That’s what we’ve been lacking, just a tall target because we’ve had a very small forward line the first couple of weeks,’’ Skelly said.

“We needed someone who can be that target, even when he wasn’t taking marks he was bringing the ball to ground.’’

Putting icing on the cake, former Footscray VFL captain Josh Prudden kicked four goals as the Tigers purred.

Ben Sandells, Harrison Jarvie and Joshua Buxton also had a big say in the win.

It was Yea’s first victory since Round 1, 2021 and the changerooms were buzzing.

“It was awesome to see all the club, the footballers, the netballers, the committee, everyone was in the rooms singing the song very loudly,’’ Skelly said.

“It was an awesome feeling.

“I’m sure the Royal Mail would have been partying late into the night.’’

Skelly said Yea’s footballers were enjoying being back.

“We had close to 50 at training on Thursday, just the general vibe around the club is at a level it has not been for a while,’’ he said.

“Everyone’s buzzing. There’s a lot of good will. Everyone from other clubs have been really positive towards us about how glad they are that we’re back up and about again, lots of respect for the other clubs that have treated us really well.’’

Aidan McSpeerin fired off five goals as Yea’s reserves beat Yarra Glen by 84 points, 14.19 (103) to 3.1 (19). Darcy Pell kicked four and skipper Ethan Aldous slotted three, while Hayden Witton, Sam Nicholson, Josh Palmer and James Simpson also impressed.

Yea hosts Powelltown in Round 5 on Saturday.

Originally published as Outer East league: The key players in Yea Tigers’ first win in 1114 days