Hit hard by injuries, Macedon’s 2019 football prospects received a major boost on Saturday with a gutsy six points victory over Wallan at Tony Clarke Reserve.
“Our best football is yet to come,” relieved coach Ben Tankard said after his side’s gallant last quarter effort which put the Cats back into the top six.
With a bye this week, and then matches to come against the bottom two sides in Rockbank and Lancefield, Tankard envisages Macedon having a six wins/two losses ratio leading into the June 22 encounter with reigning premier Diggers Rest.
Goals were scarce for much of the match at Macedon on Saturday, with both sides using plenty of rotations. The Cats were somewhat depleted with topliners in Jason Cooke, Dan Markworth and Alastair Collins sidelined through injury, and further injuries left the side “two down” in the second half.
Trailing by eight points at half time, Macedon seized control on resumption in some areas but failed to fully capitalise.
It was anyone’s match heading into the last quarter, with plenty at stake for both sides in the context of this season’s finals.
Positional moves were made, and the Cats hit the front almost straight away as captain James “Nipper” Wright kicked truly from 40 metres. Wright turned in one of his best games.
Producing their best team football for the match, the Cats surged to what looked likely to be a winning margin with a mercurial goal from Jordie Watkins, as the Magpies were left floundering.
Then late in the quarter Wallan fought back with quick goals and Macedon’s lead was cut to six points with desperation football in the time-on period.
Tankard praised his players’ resilience after the match, and singled out tireless ruckman Tom Waters for an outstanding effort in ignoring injury and rucking throughout the second half; defender Tom Hildrebrand had contained Wallan’s ace forward Matt Perri, and Seb Miletic kept the dangerous Nathan Fowler in check.
Experienced recruit Campbell also impressed in his first game with the Cats.
The similarity in guernseys with similar coloured stripes and hoops did not make it easy for spectators at times.
Hawks press leaders
At Gilbert Gordon Reserve Woodend-Hesket hoped to repeat last season’s upset win over Diggers Rest, with past players and officials and many from the 2009 Hawks’ Under 18 premiership side in attendance.
The first half was promising and the margin was just 12 points. In the end, greater depth prevailed and Diggers Rest emerged with a hard fought five-goal victory. The Hawks face up to another big test at Wallan on Saturday.
A star-studded Romsey line-up kept Rockbank scoreless in the last three quarters, and further boosted percentage.
Joel Naylor was named as the Redbacks’ best, and Mitchell Jensen went to the top of the league’s goalkicking ladder with nine goals as the home side monopolised the ball to kick 33.34.
Riddell travelled to Broadford and predictably won by a big margin (111 points) in a lead-up to this Saturday’s big clash against Rupertswood at Bomberland.
In the remaining match Rupertswood had too much class for Melton Centrals.
Following the Riddell League’s dramatic extra time victory over Southern League at Romsey on May 18, AFL Victoria has released official rankings for the 2020 AFL Community Championships.
Riddell has moved up to the 18th spot among the 30 country leagues. Northern FNL is number one, and Bendigo has climbed to number eight.
Final farewell
Last Wednesday, Macedon club legend and life member Duncan Beatson was accorded a fitting farewell with a large gathering of family, friends and community assembling at Tony Clarke Reserve for his funeral and celebration of his life.
After six rounds, positions are: Rupertswood 24 points, Macedon 20, Romsey 16, Wallan 16, Diggers Rest 14, Riddell 14, Rockbank 12, Melton Centrals 10, Wooend-Hesket 10, Broadford 4, Lancefield 4.
