When the interleague senior football match between Riddell and Southern leagues went into extra time at Romsey in 2019, it was hard to believe it could happen.
Yet, the same scenario occurred again on Saturday when the two leagues met again at RSEA Park Moorabbin, and this time the RDFNL missed out by a point after entering the last quarter 33 points ahead. For Southern, it was redemption for losing five years ago.
It was dramatic, heart-stopping football and the drawn score at full-time left both sides and supporters somewhat stunned.
Then, in five minutes each way of extra time, Riddell’s Dylan Jobson marked within scoring distance ONE SECOND after the final siren began to sound.
Match over, with Southern winning 14.15 (99) to 15.8 (98).
Riddell’s senior coach, Daniel Nolan, thanked both sides “for putting on a great show”, but was left wondering how the RDFNL has lost a game they had controlled for so long, kicking eight unanswered goals at one stage in the first and early part of the second quarter.
Woodend-Hesket’s star on-baller Daniel Toman, who starred in the 2019 cliff-hanger, captained the RDFNL side on Saturday.
Earlier in the day, Riddell’s Under 19s lost by a goal after leading for most of the time in a low scoring contest, and the RDFNL’s women’s and netball teams were beaten by superior opposition.
‘PROUD OF THE WAY WE COMPETED’
“We are proud of the way our four teams competed and represented our league, RDFNL’s general manager of operations, Grace Bibby, commented afterwards.
“We knew the size and strength of the Southern League and we took it up to them despite not getting a win.
“Extra time in the final match was a fantastic finish to what was an exciting program.
“Having not had senior interleague since 2019 it was great for the coaches and players to come together and experience representative football and netball.
“We’re grateful to the senior coaches who gave up their time and committed to the program, as well as the players.
“A huge thank-you to Southern FNL CEO Lee Hartman and his team for hosting us where the football facilities are first class,” Bibby concluded.
RESHUFFLE NEEDED
Riddell was forced to reshuffle its side when big ruckman Chris Steward (Wallan) withdrew with an injury, and Southern opened up with two precise goals.
Reuben Rode, Sean Morris, and Tom Schwarzenberg and Jobson were prominent early, and Riddell soon had the Southerners worried.
By half-time, it was 8.5 to 4.9 in Riddell’s favour, with accurate kicking for goal helping.
Late in the third term the home side kicked a couple of goals to prune a worrying deficit to 33 points.
Riddell was entitled to be confident, but the Southerners threw caution to the wind and took risks, which paid off.
Was Riddell ‘running out of legs?’
Positional moves were made to try and stop the momentum, but as the clock ticked down former Sydney Swans player Trent Dennis-Lane levelled the scores.
The full-time siren sounded with Riddell defending desperately.
Then it was time for extra time – Southern kicked a goal in the first period, then Rode’s kicked bounced through for Riddell late in the second period of time.
Rode finished up receiving the best player medal for Riddell, with Morris, defender Harrison Huntley, Tommy Alkemade and Jobson included in Riddell’s ‘best’ list.
In the Under 19s, scoring was restricted at both ends of the ground, but Riddell held a handy lead at the last change.
Southern kicked three goals to Riddell’s no score in the last quarter to take the points.
Final score: Southern 6.9 (45) to Riddell 5.9 (39).
Angus Nolte, enjoying a fine season for Kyneton, was the medal recipient for Riddell.
Riddell found the going tough in the women’s match against a well-organised side with some very experienced players.
Generally well beaten around the ground, Riddell tried hard, and were rewarded when captain Tegan Ainslie kicked the side’s only goal very late in the match.
A kick after the siren rolled through for a goal with final scores 8.11 (59) to 1.1 (7).
With women’s football in its infancy, improvement is anticipated in the RDFNL as time progresses.
Woodend-Hesket star Katrina Bau received the medal for best Riddell player.
