Riddell senior footballers produced their best form this season to overwhelm Romsey by 50 points on Saturday, convincing many onlookers the Bombers are now entitled to be the 2024 premiership favourites.
But reigning premier Diggers Rest, still adapting to a new and larger home ground, may have a big say in this on May 25 when the Bombers head south for a real blockbuster.
Riddell is the only unbeaten side at this stage, buoyed in confidence after making amends for last season’s five-point elimination final loss to Romsey in no uncertain fashion. This weekend all RDFNL sides have a holiday, with interleague netball taking place against Southern FNL sides at RSEA Park (old Moorabbin Ground and St Kilda Football Club base.
There was a massive home ground crowd at Romsey Park on Saturday, with the home side coming off the bye and the Bombers arriving after a struggling off-target effort against Woodend-Hesket.
The first appearance of Redbacks’ star forward Jack Jedwab after playing in the VFL was welcomed, but he did not have the anticipated impact.
Jedwab kicked two of the side’s six goals, being moved onto the ball in the second half to try to regain momentum.
Early in the match, Romsey held an edge in general play but could not put goals on the board.
The Bombers tightened up, and led by 15 points at the long interval.
Romsey’s comeback wins this season gave cause for confidence, but it was not to be.
Increasing pressure all over the ground and good use of the ball proved too much for the Redbacks.
Bombers’ first season coach Aaron ‘Skip’ Bray has been urging his side to produce their best for a whole match, and must have been very happy with the overall input and second-half dominance.
Up forward, mature-age recruit Dean Galea, who won the Frosty Miller Medal with Port Melbourne in the VFL on two occasions and then starred in the EDFL, showed his ability with six goals in his best game for the Bombers; another much-travelled recruit Kamen Ogilvie also produced his best game so far and the talented Callum Williamson was also prominent.
Often forced wide, Romsey forwards could not exert much influence, and Bombers’ supporters found full voice as the match progressed.
Straight kicking for a change was also a Bombers’ bonus with the final tally 15.6 (96) to 6.10 (46). Worth remembering a couple of top liners are still on the injured list.
For the Redbacks, ruckman Justin Waldron played really well, with Connor Bills, Nathan Tessaro and Nathan Blair also among the best.
The Redbacks’ brains trust will have plenty to reassess.
Riddell also had results in the other football matches, coming from behind to win in both the U19.5s and the Reserves.
HAWKS STRUGGLE
After kicking three goals in the first quarter at Diggers Rest, Woodend-Hesket struggled for the remainder of the match.
The end result was a 13.10 (88) to 5.7 (37) victory for the home side.
Once again Daniel Toman was a prolific ball winner for the Hawks and must be a chance to repeat last season’s Bowen Medal success.
The Burras have multiple scoring means, and this time Brodie Meyers popped up with five majors.
Macedon’s slow start to matches continued at Wallan, where the Magpies kept the Cats to a miserable 1.1 in the first half.
The second half saw Macedon produce some of its best football so far this season, and other sides thinking of playing finals should not take the Cats lightly. The final margin was 23 points.
The inaccurate Macedon U19.5s were pleased to hold on to defeat second-placed Wallan in a fine performance.
In a match where both sides were chasing their first win of the season, Melton Centrals proved collectively too strong for Lancefield, without injured co-captain Tom Waters.
The Tigers tried hard, and were best served by John Morgan, Riley O’Meara, and Lachlan and Darcy Giles.
Clubs have been reminded that live scoring is compulsory, and all teams sheets should be compulsory at the start of marches.
The league hopes that all clubs will ensure club notes for the RDFNL Record publication are submitted in future rounds.
