Kyneton senior footballers beat newcomer Gisborne Giants by 110 points as the Riddell League’s new season began in ideal conditions on Saturday, but the Tigers are not getting carried away.
There was a large crowd at the multi-million-dollar Macedon Ranges Sporting Complex on Saturday for this historic match, but Kyneton playing coach Ethan Foreman is making sure his side is realistic about tougher matches ahead.
Foreman kicked seven of his side’s 21 goals in an astute forward display.
It’s the second season in the RDFNL for the Tigers, who have their sights set on the finals, having learnt a lot in an up and down 2024 season after crossing from the Bendigo League.
Giants have been on a planned building program for years and now provide the Gisborne area with a second football club.
The sporting complex is ‘home’ to the Giants, and it would be no surprise to see finals played there in the future, such is the quality of the facilities.
The Giants won the Under 19.5s and went down by two points to Kyneton in the Reserves, but their senior side appeared somewhat over-awed as the visitors dominated to ram home 8.4 to a solitary goal in the first term.
Perhaps nerves played a part, and the Giants will learn as the season progresses. They tended to show improved composure as the match progressed.
Strongly built Danny Grmusa was touted as a top recruit, and certainly impressed, as did big ruckman Haydn Smith and Jimmy O’Sullivan. Captain Harry Huntley will add further strength to the side.
A trip down the road to Woodend awaits Kyneton, and the Giants will have learnt a lot from this match and can only improve. They look forward to this Saturday’s clash with Macedon.
Final scores were 21.15 (141) to 4.7 (31).
BOMBERS WILL BE THERE
Defending premier Riddell dominated the first half against Macedon, but found the opposition much more effective in the second half.
Macedon was without ace forward Jason Cooke but showed enough to prove last year’s performance to reach the preliminary final was no fluke.
Riddell will be there again, with coach Arron Bray having plenty of depth and experience at his disposal.
Both sides had players injured during the match, with the final score 17.11 (113) to 7.3 (45).
ROMSEY EASILY
Slow out of the blocks, home side Lancefield trailed by 37 points at the first change.
The Redbacks were never going to lose, and showed sufficient form to encourage their loyal supporters once again.
Lancefield can only improve and have the bye this week to reassess their position after going down by 68 points. Their netballers really showed the way!
At Gilbert Gordon Reserve, Woodend-Hesket struggled to shake off Melton Centrals.
Both sides struggled for goals, and a head count at one stage added to the interest when the Hawks were accused of having an extra player on the field.
Final scores were 9.12 (66) to 7.8 (50).
The Hawks will need to lift to keep Kyneton at bay in round two.
NOTE: The informative ‘Riddell Record’ publication, which many RDFNL followers are familiar with at matches, is no longer available in print form, but can be read online.
