Good Friday football is here to stay in the Riddell League if last Friday’s match between Riddell and Woodend-Hesket is any indication.
In perfect conditions in front of a bumper crowd, both teams provided a tremendous display of football and signalled to the rest of the competition that they are likely to be in the mix come 2022 finals time.
Riddell won a high-pressure low-scoring thriller by two points in a contest that could have gone either way.
“Stick together, we’ve got big games ahead (at Wallan and Diggers Rest),” coach Justin Belleville implored his players after the game.
Belleville and Bomber supporters are rapt the side is undefeated after three matches, having defeated Macedon, Romsey and Riddell with a combined margin of just 13 points.
And the side on Friday was not at full strength, without prime movers Mick Edwards (injury) and Dylan Tarczon (suspended for two matches).
Woodend-Hesket is rueing a tie against Wallan and a two point loss at Riddell in the past two rounds, but there are plenty of positives for captain-coach Josh Pound and fellow Hawks, with the next two matches sure to be chalked in as certain victories against Melton Centrals and Western Rams.
The Good Friday trendsetter was sponsored by Raine & Horne Real Estate with both teams competing for the inaugural Raine & Horne Cup. It’s great to have Community football back up and running.
FOUR GOALS TO NIL
After close wins to Riddell in the Reserves and U19.5s, the main game began at a frantic pace with the home side goaling within 30 seconds, followed by another three majors for the term to open up a 23-point lead at quarter time.
The Hawks began to get their running game going in the second term and responded with three goals to go into the half-time break trailing by 10 points, with the match very much in the balance.
The fast pace continued in the third quarter with tackling pressure a highlight for both teams.
Riddell captain Josh Grabham continued to give his onballers first use at clearances and enabled Callum Williamson and his fellow onballers, including Lucas Shaw and Nathan Bridgland, plenty of opportunities to deliver the ball into their forward line.
Experienced recruit Andrew Duhau limped off after showing his undoubted class with two long goals.
Woodend-Hesket had lifted their game and went into the last term trailing by 11 points with the belief they could run over the top of the Bombers.
It was a desperate affair with Josh Pound kicking two crucial goals to give the Hawks a narrow lead halfway through the quarter.
Marcus Stapleton and Tom Gawthrop were almost impassable in defence, it seemed they may have done enough to seal victory.
The last 10 minutes of the term saw both teams looking to break open the game to score the match winner.
Riddell finally delivered the ball deep into attack, and Nathan Croft kicked the vital goal eventually secure won the match.
This match had everything, even a few perplexing umpiring decisions.
The after-match presentation of the Raine & Horne Cup to Riddell skipper Josh Grabham signalled the end of a tremendous day of football and netball for the two clubs, who should be congratulated for embracing the concept of a Good Friday bonanza with both clubs looking forward to the return clash at Woodend next year.
MATCH DETAILS
Riddell 4.1, 5.2, 7.5, 8.8 (56) d Woodend-Hesket 0.2, 3.4, 5.6, 8.6 (54).
Goals (R) – C. Williamson 3, A. Duhau 2, D. McGrath, T. Stead, N. Croft.
Best – J. Grabham, Williamson, S. Treweek, L. Shaw, N. Bridgland, R. Paterson.
Goals (WH) 0 J. Pound 3, T. Pears, J. Arceri, T. Chapman, J. Hicks, A. Rae.
Best – Rae, M. Stapleton, F. Fazzolari, L. Randle-Hewitt, Arceri, D. Bramley.
