The eagerly awaited clash between reigning football premiers Riddell and unbeaten ladder leader Wallan was expected to be close on Saturday … it was anything but, with the jubilant Magpies winning by 62 points.
And this match was at Bomberland, with 39-year-old ruckman-forward Chris Stewart a match winner for the visitors.
Stewart, who won the 2024 Bowen Medal, kicked eight goals and posed a constant threat as the Magpies led throughout.
The outcome may have been a shock for Riddell playing coach Matt Darby and the club’s loyal supporters, but it is worth pointing out the Bombers were without evergreen defender Ben Sonogan and their leading goalkicker Zac Saad.
Nevertheless, Wallan impressed, and some of their followers are talking about the prospect of another premiership (the last one was in 2021).
The Magpies’ depth was illustrated by their 17.11 (113) to 3.4 (22) victory in the Reserves.
Former Collingwood champion Heath Shaw, with 325 AFL games behind him, has just been signed up by the Magpies for the remainder of the season.
At half-time Wallan led 7.7 to 2.6, and the hoped-for comeback by the Bombers failed to eventuate.
Hungry for the ball, the Magpies rammed home 5.4 to a goal in the last term to illustrate their superiority.
Final scores were 15.12 (102) to 5.10 (40).
Vice-captain Patrick Mahoney and Stewart were stand-outs for the visitors, and Riddell was best served by the consistent Nathan Hrovat, Elijah Bretherton and speedster Jack Hammerley.
CATS’ BIG REVIVAL
A strange afternoon at Macedon’s Tony Clarke Reserve, where the home side struggled in the first half and Melton Centrals led by a point at the long break.
Whatever unflappable Cats’ coach Al Meldrum and other team leaders decided on at half-time certainly worked.
The revitalised Cats played much better generally and went into the last quarter with a lead of 10 points in the ‘must win’ match.
Centrals stopped to a walk, and the Cats slammed on 10 goals to no score to end up with a 19.23 (137) to 9.5 (59) victory and moved to third on the ladder.
An astonishing turnaround, with Blake Watson continuing his fine form, big ruckman Charlie Rossetti dominating, and Michael Rutledge coming up with seven goals in one of his top performances.
POWERHOUSE DISPLAY
The powerful Diggers Rest combination came to Gilbert Gordon Oval intent on securing a confidence-boosting win.
While the Hawks tried hard, with irrepressible captain Dan Toman again shining, the visitors reigned supreme.
Final scores were 25.16 (166) to 5.5 (35).
Star forward Callum Moore kicked nine majors to extend his lead in the league’s goalkicking.
Diggers Rest look almost certain to earn a double chance, with the Burras having the confidence to give Wallan a run for premiership honours.
Gisborne Giants gained their second win for the season, defeating Lancefield 17.16 (118) to 3.6 (24).
The Giants kept the Tigers to 1.5 across the first three quarters, with Matt Quigley, Mitchell Bongiovanni and captain Brett Mangan in their top three.
Lancefield’s best were Leroy Ristevski, Tully Fattore and John Anstee.
In the remaining match, Melton Centrals slammed on nine goals in the first quarter to stun Romsey.
The Redbacks tried hard but could only manage 1.7 in the second half.
Final scores were 17.17 (119) to 4.13 (37) as Centrals gained their fourth win of the season.
Romsey was best served by consistent ball winner Corey Pertzel, Sam Wilson and Matthew Milburn.