What a grand final! Favourite Riddell looked to have the 2025 senior football premiership almost sewn up after a dominating first term on Saturday … and then things changed.

Macedon regrouped and took control of general play for long periods to actually lead by three goals early in the last quarter, with a huge upset clearly on the cards.

It’s hard to keep a good side down, and the never-say-die Bombers rallied and kicked the last five goals to win by 13 points — a margin that did not really reflect how close the Cats had come to victory.

It’s Riddell’s second RDFNL flag in succession, and the Bombers are expected to be prime contenders again next season.

Remarkably, across the second and third quarters Riddell could only manage a meagre 2.10 while Macedon kicked 10.3 as the very large crowd at Romsey became fully absorbed in what was taking place.

There were some very relieved Riddell supporters at final siren time, with the board showing 13.13 (91) to 12.6 (78).

Some admitted they had “given it away”, while some Macedon fans made a too early call of “We’re home” only to finish up completely lost for words.

It was one of those amazing grand finals which comes along on odd occasions.

Riddell coach Arron ‘Skip’ Bray told the large throng at the after-match presentations that the well-coached Macedon is “clearly the second-best side” in the competition, as proven in the finals.

Macedon led for much of the qualifying final against the Bombers, eventually losing by eight points.

‘GREAT GAME OF FOOTBALL’

“It was a great game of football,” Bray asserted.

Bray reflected that the Cats may have “run out of legs” very late in the match, while the Bombers had the advantage of earlier earning a week off and came into the match with the benefit of a rest.

He also heaped praise on his side for fighting the match right out and being rewarded.

He added that the present group of players were very easy to coach, and the win was “a super effort”.

Last year Bray delivered a flag in his first season in charge of the Bombers … could there be a three-peat coming up in 2026?

Macedon coach Al Meldrum said he was “very proud” of all his team members who had fought so hard after an ordinary first quarter.

He also generously praised Riddell players for their very late comeback. Meldrum has been re-appointed for next season.

The ruck battle between Bomber skipper Josh Grabham and the Cats’ talented recruit Charlie Rossetti was one of the match highlights.

Riddell strengthened its side with the inclusion of dynamo utility player Dylan Tarczon and Dylan Podolczak; while being tackled, Tarczon kicked a vital last term goal which bounced through.

Inspiring legendary champion goalkicker Dean Galea finished with five goals for the Bombers, including two very late in the match.

Macedon’s ace forward Jason Cooke went into the match under an injury cloud and finished with two goals. Sam Indian and Michael Rutledge each kicked three.

MEDAL WINNER

Strong utility player Zac Saad has enjoyed a fine finals series, and he was awarded the Doug McIntyre Medal for being best on the ground.

Saad, Galea, Tommy Alkemade, Lachlan Hay — recruited from Macedon — Grabham and Tarczon were listed as the Bombers’ best.

Captain Hamish Govan, Brodie Hoyne, Jacob Gough, Leo Webb, Xavier Morgan and Indian were listed as the Cats’ best.