Sports
-
Agonising finish — Tigers bow out
Oh, so close. Kyneton senior footballers bowed out of the 2026 Riddell League finals in a desperate last term finish that saw Wallan snatch victory by three points on Sunday. The Tigers put themselves in a great position to advance to the preliminary final when they opened up a lead of 21 points with a…
-
Hawks into grand final
Chasing four premierships in succession, Woodend-Hesket A-grade netballers reached the RDFNL grand final by defeating Riddell 55-41 in Saturday’s semi-final. The Ty Coppinger-coached Hawks had to work hard to overcome the Bombers, drawing away in the last quarter in the clash between these two keen rivals at Kyneton Showgrounds. With an array of quality young…
-
Five championship wins to Kyneton
After the season’s end, Kyneton District Soccer Club secured five junior teams at the top of the ladder claiming them FV Greater Bendigo League Champions. This is the premier winning spot in soccer that shows a teams consistency in skill and game play over the whole season. KDSC president Ron Cole said the coaches and…
-
Record score stuns ‘Dogs
Seemingly set to play in the Bendigo League’s 2026 qualifying final, Gisborne senior footballers were unceremoniously pushed into an elimination final due to reigning premier Eaglehawk kicking an astonishing all-time record league score on Saturday. The impending bad news for Gisborne players, officials and supporters at Gardiner Reserve became more apparent as progress scores began…
-
Dynamic Diggers, Kyneton run hot
There was plenty of sustained action as the Riddell League’s 2026 football finals series kicked off with qualifying and elimination finals at the weekend. On the football field, Diggers Rest jumped back into outright flag favouritism by outclassing ladder leader Wallan by 49 points on Saturday, and sixth-placed Kyneton turned in its best all-round team…
-
Hawks’ dream continues
Woodend-Hesket’s bid for a fourth successive Riddell League A-grade netball premiership is very much alive after the first round of finals at the weekend. The Hawks, under the astute on-court leadership of coach Ty Coppinger, had to work hard to defeat second-placed Wallan 38-28 in the qualifying encounter at Kyneton Showgrounds on Saturday. Adaptability and…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…