Whiley joined Yarrawonga in 2017, taking out the club’s best and fairest in his first year after partaking in a five year stint in the AFL with the GWS Giants in their early days as well as nine games with Carlton.
Whiley had a very successful and enjoyable time at JC Lowe Oval in his seven seasons with the club (albeit the 2020 season never got underway), playing 88 matches in the blue and white hoops, finishing runner up in the 2017 Morris Medal and polled in the best for the award 58 times.
The Yarrawonga Football Netball Club released a statement about Whiley last week, finishing their statement with hashtags that the door will always be open for his return, that he will be missed and that he and his family are part of the Pigeon family.
“It is with a touch of sadness, but also with a huge amount of thanks, the Pigeons announce Mark Whiley’s departure to Finley,” the statement read.
“Mark joined the Pigeons after his AFL career with the Giants and Blues. He was a standout for the Pigeons from the first bounce.
“As a player and then leader of the Pigeons, Mark developed into a fine coach. Always learning and striving for more. An excellent leader, his work ethic on and off the field was his trademark.
“With his work now based in his hometown of Finley, Mark is returning to where it all began (albeit still in Pigeon colours).
“The Finley Football Netball Club has produced many Pigeons: Koopman, Congram, Sharp and the Sextons, just to name a few, who have crossed the river and made a positive impact.
“We take this opportunity to thank Finley for sending our way so many talented players to test them themselves.
“To Mark, you would have to go a long way in sport to find a better teammate and guy.
“Don’t be sad that it is over, be glad that it happened!”
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