The Riddell District Football Netball League’s 2024 season will open with just two clubs involved on Good Friday, March 29.
The football and netball matches will be between former Bendigo League club Kyneton and neighbouring Woodend-Hesket. Kyneton Showgrounds will be the venue, with Kyneton senior footballers having well credentialed Ethan Foreman as the new playing coach, while the Hawks have Al Davie debuting as playing coach after five seasons with the Hawks in leadership roles.
Last season the Hawks were runners-up to the strong Diggers Rest lineup in the Riddell League grand final, while the Hawks’ netballers created history by winning the first-ever A-grade premiership for the club by beating Riddell in an extra-time thriller.
Being a one-off match on Good Friday, Kyneton v Woodend-Hesket should entice a large crowd to the Showgrounds.
The other three first round matches take place on Saturday, April 6.
With Western Rams departing to the Western Region Football League, there is no longer a bye in the senior football.
INTERLEAGUE AGAIN
Interleague football returns for the Riddell League this season, with acquaintances being renewed against the Southern FNL. In the 2020 Country Championships played at Romsey, there was an extraordinary finish to the main football match between these two leagues.
When the siren sounded, Southern was a point in front according to the scoreboard, but this was incorrect – it was actually a tie! So 10 minutes of extra time ensued, and goals to Dan Toman and Mitchell Jensen saw Riddell home by two points.
In the netball seniors, Riddell won 40-39 via a very late goal to Lauren Close. Applications for coaching positions in senior men, women, and under 19.5s football close with the RDFNL league Aaron McLean on January 21.
The RDFNL has secured a three-year extension with the Russell Corporation to be the official provider of footballs and netballs. Sherrin footballs and Spalding netballs will be utilised. GameFace will be responsible for all filming and streaming of Riddell League matches through the 2024 season.
