There’s renewed hope for Riddell League football premiership contenders after Saturday’s sixth round of matches.
Diggers Rest had seemingly rocketed to favouritism, but the scenario changed when second-placed Wallan slammed on seven last term goals to upset the top side by 26 points.
Kyneton had a day out at the Showgrounds, lifting confidence with 25 goals and a massive 124-point margin over sixth-placed Melton Centrals.
Playing coach Ethan Foreman turned the clock back with seven majors in a match where the Tigers dominated to lead 13.8 to 1.3 at half-time.
Percentage could play an important role in regard to teams obtaining a double chance this season.
Seemingly the current top five teams are likely to be there at the end of the home and away games.
BIG WIN FOR CATS
“It’s the first time we’ve won over here for 12 years,” Macedon coach Al Meldrum said after third-placed Macedon had a big win over Romsey.
He was particularly pleased with the efforts of some of the side’s younger players, with Michael Rutledge kicking six goals and Ronan Yow Yeh turning in his best game this season.
Blake Watson continued his fine form as well.
The Redbacks struggled to kick just one goal in the first half, with the final score 17.15 (117) to 7.12 (54).
Coach Nathan Blair, Jack Jedwab and Joshua Crump were again listed in the top three for the home side.
Wallan’s 17.9 to 13.7 win over Diggers Rest was a prime talking point around the competition on Saturday night.
The Burras ace forward, Callum Moore, kicked 15 goals against Gisborne Giants seven days earlier but the Magpies’ defenders kept him well in check.
With a population explosion occurring in the Wallan area, the town’s football-netball club seems likely to become even stronger both on and off the field in the future.
Riddell led by 33 points at half-time against Melton South, but the visitors fought back in the third term before the Bombers regained composure to win 13.12 (90) to 8.5 (53).
Bryce Williamson continued his fine ball-winning form, ruckman Josh Grabham played well, and the mercurial Zak Saad kicked another five majors.
There was only three points the difference in the Lancefield versus Woodend-Hesket match at half-time.
The Hawks lifted their game in the second half and went to gain their second win for the season, 16.13 (109) to 9.8 (62).
ONE-SIDED MATCHES
There were several very one-sided Under 19.5 and Reserves matches on Saturday.
In the U19.5s, Woodend-Hesket outclassed Lancefield by 113 points, Kyneton demolished Melton Centrals by 98 points, and Macedon defeated Romsey by 68 points.
Top Reserves side Macedon overran Romsey by 126 points, Lancefield Reserves defeated Woodend-Hesket by 59 points, and Kyneton Reserves went down to Melton Centrals by 54 points.
In contrast, Riddell Reserves won by five points, and Wallan edged out Diggers Rest by a point.