Sports
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Wonder women claim third flag
Macedon women proved why they were overwhelming favourites for the Riddell League’s 2026 women’s football premiership with a 76-point victory over Lancefield in the grand final late on Saturday afternoon. The third successive premiership for the Cats was widely expected, and the joy and jubilation from players and supporters after the final siren and the…
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Unpredictable final round
Round 18 football in the Riddell League produced its share of surprises on Saturday. With an eye on the finals, some clubs rested players, and others closely watched fitness levels. The big surprise was the senior goalkicking award, with Wallan’s versatile Lachlan Smart coming from the clouds to kick 10 goals and tip out favourite…
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Thunderbolt all the way
Kyneton trainer Nelson Smyth has four-year-old gelding Thunderbolt Way racing in fine form. On Friday, Thunderbolt Way made it successive wins by leading all the way in the D-Day Pest Control BM62 Handicap at Geelong. The galloper appreciates heavy tracks, and Jye McNeil had no hesitation in taking the $6 chance to the front, allowing…
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Cats clinch third spot
Systematic and methodical, Macedon senior footballers wrapped up third spot on the Riddell League ladder by defeating fifth-placed Melton South by 40 points at Tony Clarke Reserve on Saturday. The Cats were runners-up to Riddell in a pulsating grand final in 2025, and they will now play sixth-placed Kyneton in an elimination final. Reigning premiers…
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Netball spots still uncertain
This Saturday the Riddell League A-grade netball final home and away round has plenty at stake for several sides. Macedon, after languishing just outside the top six for most of the season, jumped into sixth spot at Kyneton’s expense on Saturday. To remain there, the Cats would need to defeat third-placed Lancefield at Tony Clarke…
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Magpies fall short against Hawks
Castlemaine Football Netball Club hosted a bumper weekend of football and netball competition at the Camp Reserve last weekend. The action kicked off Friday evening with the Magpies Senior Women’s Football side and Under 18 Girls sides playing host to Eaglehawk and Kangaroo Flat under lights. The 18 Girls were first up and were thrilled…
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Sizeable losses for Riddell, Kyneton
Home ground advantage did nothing to help Riddell and Kyneton as both suffered sizeable football defeats in RDFNL round 16 matches on Saturday. The Bombers expected to bounce back hard after an upset loss to Gisborne Giants a week earlier, but a promising start gradually fizzled out as ladder leader Diggers Rest surged ahead to…
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Hawks back on top
Woodend-Hesket, winner of the last three Riddell League A-grade netball premierships, finds itself back on top of the ladder with two rounds to go before the finals. What an intriguing home and away season 2026 has been, with several teams certainly in contention if they produce their best form in the finals. The Hawks predictably…
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Wedgies play for BCNA
The Wedge-Tailed Eagles hosted Pink Round at Woodend Racecourse Reserve on Sunday, taking on reigning premiers Castlemaine in a hard-fought contest while raising funds for Breast Cancer Network Australia. With a finals chance still in sight, the Wedgies came out firing despite challenging windy conditions. Co-captains Teagan Ainslie and Ayesha Nicholson were influential through the…
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Tigers win back-to-back
Kyneton’s FIDA football team has claimed back-to-back premierships after producing a determined 24-point victory over the previously undefeated Sunbury Kangaroos at the Showgrounds on Sunday. The Tigers entered the grand final as underdogs against a Kangaroos side that had not lost a game all season, but rose to the occasion with a disciplined team performance…
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Giants dethrone premiers
Inspired by an eight-goal haul from captain Brad Mangan, Gisborne Giants toppled reigning premiers Riddell by 16 points on Saturday. It was the most significant victory by the Giants since they entered senior RDFNL ranks last season, and augurs well for the club’s future. Round 15 was the most dramatic for 2026 as far as…
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Riddell by four goals
Versatility across the court was important as Riddell A-grade netballers won a crucial match against Gisborne Giants on Saturday. The Bombers prevailed 42-38 to consolidate in fourth place, with the Giants sliding to fifth. Brianna De Haas turned in one of her top games, and Riddell had four different goal scorers, while the Giants relied…