“The first time Riddell has put together four sustained quarters of good football this season.”
This is how coach Justin Belleville described the Bombers’ comprehensive victory over second-placed Woodend-Hesket on Saturday.
Belleville said there were often ups and downs as far as on-field performances were concerned, possibly thinking back to Riddell’s shock one-point defeat at the hands of Melton Centrals on May 27.
Injuries also hit Riddell hard but the tide is clearly turning.
New recruit ruckman Hamish Everett from Rokewood is expected to fill the gap left through the loss of injured captain Josh Grabham.
The fourth-placed Bombers have won four in a row, and look forward to taking on Macedon and Romsey in the next two rounds with the aim of making the finals to defend their 2022 premiership.
The first half of Saturday’s match was closely contested with goals scarce for both sides on a soft surface.
Woodend-Hesket had a somewhat makeshift lineup due to injuries and other absences, with a plus being the return of topliner Tom Gawthorp who has been sidelined since the first match of the season.
When Gawthorp snapped a goal early in the second quarter the Hawks were in front – they were then restricted to just 1.2 for the rest of the match as Riddell grew in confidence and largely used the ball well.
“Be brave with the footy … our pressure will get us over the line,” Belleville told his players at the three-quarter-time break.
The Bombers, with supporters becoming increasingly vocal with a string of last quarter goals, ran away with the game.
Final scores were Riddell 11.8 (74) to Woodend-Hesket’s 4.4 (28).
The in-form Tommy Alkemade, Dylan Tarczon and Hayden Ross were among the Bombers’ best, while the irrepressible Daniel Toman, Tobi- Duff-Tytler and Cody Bowen were among the Hawks’ best.
Acting Riddell captain, Bryce Williamson, is enjoying his role and predicts the side will continue to improve with even more players, including Matt Panuccio, expected to return.
Experienced premiership player Lucas Shaw played his first game for the season on Saturday.
Riddell’s annual Ladies Luncheon in the social rooms was well attended on Saturday.
Woodend-Hesket has more depth than in recent years, and the Reserves side did well to defeat Riddell.
The Hawks will be look to re-group and win their next three matches against the three sides at the bottom end of the ladder.
CATS GO DOWN
Sixth-placed Macedon went to Wallan in anticipation of a good showing, but the Magpies wrapped up proceedings to a 10-goal-to-three first half, eventually winning by 54 points.
Macedon dynamo Jason Cooke played his first game after a frustrating run with injuries.
Unbeaten ladder-leaders Diggers Rest encountered a tenacious Lancefield, and eventually won by 38 points at Tigerland.
Michael Day kicked four goals to join Romsey’s Jack Jedwab as leading goalkicker for the season.
The much-improved Melton Centrals demolished Western Rams by 127 points, and some of the sides battling to sew up a finals berth will be wary of what Centrals may produce.
