Having struggled to beat Melton Centrals a week earlier, Romsey footballers produced a devastating first term to take control of Saturday’s match against a Kyneton side hoping to rebound from an ordinary performance at Riddell.
It seemed the Redbacks were quite at home on the Showgrounds, running into space, backing one another up, and keeping the Tigers off balance.
The scoreboard showed the Tigers facing a 5.3 to 0.2 deficit at the first break, and playing coach Ethan Foreman must have been wondering how long it would take for his side to play the ‘Kyneton brand of football’ that had previously troubled opposition sides in the Bendigo League.
In contrast, Redbacks’ coach Justin Sherman was buoyed by the confidence and teamwork being engendered.
With star forward Jack Jedwab trying his luck in the VFL, Romsey is working on finding alternative avenues to goal.
The absence of injured Tigers’ ruckman Jayden Eales was noticeable.
The second term became a scoring feast from both sides … Kyneton lifted and kicked five goals, but conceded six.
A half-time advantage of 37 points was in direct contrast to Romsey’s previous efforts against Wallan and Melton Centrals – games they won.
Earlier in the afternoon Kyneton Under 19.5s thrashed Romsey by nine goals, and Romsey Reserves won by 55 points, making plenty of Tigers’ supporters apprehensive of what the main game may produce.
Comments from barrackers can range from brilliant to sheer stupid, and there was a share of the both from over the fence during the main match.
Kyneton absorbed the half-time messages and began to win more of the ball in the second half, but it was all to no avail as the Redbacks always had the outcome under control.
The final scores were 15.7 (97) to 11.9 (75), with the Tigers turning their thoughts to the Anzac Day match at Lancefield, and the Redbacks looking forward to the bye with three wins from three matches.
Matt Burkett has been a great servant of the game at Romsey, and his ball skills and will to win are assets many younger players can follow. His four goals put him in line for best afield, with youngster Ethan Beer, Aaron Paterson and fast-improving forward Darcy Lockens also enjoying good games.
Foreman led by example and kicked three goals for the Tigers, and Dylan Holden, defender Dom Bennington, Harrison Huntley who kicked two goals when moved forward, Jake Safstrom and live wire Angus Nolte were also on the ‘best’ list.
The ‘Battle of the Tigers’ at Lancefield gives Kyneton a golden opportunity to find some consistency, with tougher games ahead.
BOMBERS UNFAZED
Unbeaten Riddell found a way to curtail Wallan’s scoring opportunities at Greenhill Reserve, despite the Magpies being confident after a big win over Diggers Rest.
Ruckman Josh Grabham continued his form, Ben Sonoghan put his vast experience to full advantage, and Haydn Ross used the ball ell in a low scoring contest.
The Bombers were 21 points up at half-time, and restricted the Magpies to two goals in the second half.
And this was without injured stars Dylan Tarczon and Brent Swallow.
REVIVAL FOR HAWKS
At Gilbert Gordon Reserve, Woodend-Hesket finally recaptured some of the form which carried the side to the 2023 grand final.
Lancefield Reserves caused a big upset with a five-points win as a lead-in to the main match.
The further the main match went, the further the Hawks went ahead, with star on-baller Daniel Toman back to his Bowen Medal winning form, and Trent Laverie and young Ryley Ferguson making their presence felt.
Lancefield’s Zac Webb suffered a concussion injury, and the Tigers simply could not emulate the form they showed against Diggers Rest.
Eventually it was a 15.7 to 2.4 victory for the Hawks, making amends for the loss to Macedon.
Diggers Rest must have been sharpened up after losing to Wallan, and came out meaning business to thrash Melton Centrals by 121 points.
More like a premiership prospect once again.
