The Riddell League’s two football finals at the weekend were certainly action-packed, with the undoubted highlight being fifth-placed Romsey’s dramatic five-point victory over arch-rival Riddell on Sunday.
This elimination final played at Woodend will be talked about for a long time, with both sides having chances to wrap up the match, and seven goals kicked in the see-sawing last quarter.
Saturday’s qualifying final at Romsey also had its moments, with Woodend-Hesket outplayed by Wallan in the first half, then fighting back to hit the front before the Magpies scored two late goals to win by seven points.
The Hawks now play Romsey at Gilbert Gordon Reserve in the knockout first semi-final this Sunday.
Riddell supporters must be wondering if last season’s premiers are jinxed.
The only side to beat flag-favourite Diggers Rest this season, the Bombers were on an eight-game winning streak until their disastrous one-point loss at Lancefield; then they went down to Wallan with a kick after the siren, and they could not keep the Redbacks at bay on Sunday.
Diggers Rest will be breathing a sigh of relief now Riddell has been eliminated.
Favourable weather and good ground conditions were just what the RDFNL ordered for the start of their finals series.
An incredible 35-34 A-grade netball qualifying win by Woodend-Hesket against Macedon on Saturday set the stage for close finishes.
FAST AND FURIOUS
The Riddell v Romsey qualifying final at Gilbert Gordon Reserve was fast and furious, with plenty of speedy young players in both lineups.
The Bombers small brigade posed problems at various times after Romsey started brightly. Redbacks’ star Jack Jedwab kicked a long early goal but was not as damaging as in some matches. His last term efforts lifted the side.
Riddell star Dylan Tarczon tried hard to influence proceedings but his kicking for goal was astray.
There was just a point the difference at half-time and speculation grew on which side could seize the initiative.
Veteran ruckman-forward Ben Way had a big task, and he was still going strong at the end, as was another veteran in Nathan Rayment.
Players flashed in and out of the game, and the Bombers made some positional moves in the third term to lead by five points going into the last quarter.
Wasted opportunities were spread across this match on both sides, and some players had bursts of expertise and then faded in and out.
At least four goals came from 50-metre penalties during the match.
Riddell led by five points entering the last quarter, and the lead kept changing as the crowd became more and more involved.
The Redbacks looked to be home when they opened up a 16-point lead, but a free kick when the player kicking out ran too far handed Hadyn Ross a ‘gift’ goal; Oscar Besanko goaled again and the lead was three points.
After the 20-minute mark was reached, Romsey was forced to defend desperately, a lead of two points extended to five and the siren sounded with the clock ticking over to 28.52.
First season Redbacks’ coach Justin Sherman was elated; he felt Way was his side’s most valuable player and expressed admiration for his side’s will to win and desperation.
Tommy Alkemade kicked four goals and worked hard all day for Riddell.
Riddell coach Justin Belleville has become used to cliffhangers, and would recognise his side had chances, to no avail.
The Bombers are resolute and should be back in force again next season.
In the Reserves, Woodend-Hesket 6.7 eliminated Riddell 4.5, and Wallan 12.8 ousted Woodend-Hesket 9.3 in the Under 19.5s.
HAWKS’ POOR FIRST HALF
Woodend-Hesket, in the finals for the first time since 2009, had plenty of early chances in the qualifying final, but could not find the goals.
Big ruckman Tim Martin was prominent early for the Hawks, but Wallan’s Riley Gilchrist knocked up winning the ball.
By half-time, the Magpies had a 6.7 to 2.5 advantage.
To the Hawks’ credit, they revived with coach Josh Pound kicking two angle goals, and Ethan Minns winning plenty of the ball around the midfield.
Two goals down at the last chance, the Hawks surged to hit the front as Dan Davie and Ollie Watt goaled.
Wallan regrouped, and kicked the last two goals of the match to earn a second semi-final berth against Diggers Rest.
The Hawks will now be looking to rebound on their own ground against Romsey.
In the Reserves qualifying final, Wallan gained a first-half advantage and ended up defeating Romsey 9.4 to 6.5.
Macedon Under 19.5s took control in the second half to defeat Romsey 8.7 to 56.
Michael Rutledge (ex-Kyneton) starred with six goals for the Cats.
