There was plenty of sustained action as the Riddell League’s 2026 football finals series kicked off with qualifying and elimination finals at the weekend.
On the football field, Diggers Rest jumped back into outright flag favouritism by outclassing ladder leader Wallan by 49 points on Saturday, and sixth-placed Kyneton turned in its best all-round team performance for the season on Sunday to knock third-placed Macedon out of the finals.
In the other elimination contest, reigning premier Riddell trailed for three quarters against Melton South, then rallied with four goals to two points in the last term to win by 11 points.
The stage is now set for two semi-finals this weekend, with Diggers Rest and Riddell clashing at the Kyneton Showgrounds on Saturday, and Kyneton challenging Wallan on Sunday at Gilbert Gordon Reserve in Woodend.
MATCH WINNER BOOTS 8
Those who went to the Kyneton Showgrounds for the qualifying final on Saturday saw star Diggers Rest recruit Callum Moore turn in a peak best-on-ground performance with eight goals.
Moore led the league goalkicking for much of the season, finishing the home and away season with 81 majors, only to be pipped on the post by Wallan’s Lachlan Smart who came up with 10 in the final round.
My apologies to Smart for giving him an incorrect name when acknowledging his great performance in last week’s report.
The Burras managed to contain Smart to two majors, and Wallan’s ‘big guns’ in Chris Stewart and Jake Carlisle did not have their usual influence on the game.
Diggers Rest was really revved up for this clash, racing to a 9.6 to 3.4 half-time advantage.
The outcome was never in doubt with the Burras 51 points up at the last break. The final score was 18.17 (125) to 11.10 (76).
Jaidyn Caruna is a big occasion player, and proved his class, with Diggers Rest laying down the “beat us” challenge to all contenders.
Jake Layley, with five goals, was best for the Magpies who hope to put this game behind them and bounce back against Riddell at Kyneton in the semi-final this Saturday.
KYNETON ALL THE WAY
Kyneton produced the form that playing coach Ethan Foreman and supporters had been looking for, with all players contributing against an in-form Macedon.
Four goals to one in the first term at Wallan lifted the Tigers’ confidence; the Cats fought back and it was nine points the difference at half-time.
Many expected the Cats to take control; instead it was a hungry Kyneton that dominated the third term to establish a 33-point advantage.
Final scores were 17.11 (113) to 11.16 (82).
Jacob Grinter played a top game, and Isaac Barassi produced six goals in a fine display for the Tigers.
Hamish Yunghanns, defender Ethan Turner and Charlie Thompson also stood out in the commendable team performance.
Macedon coach Al Meldrum had expected more from his troops, with the Cats now looking to see what they can do in 2027.
Baden Dickins, Blake Watson, Sam Indian, Josh Govan, Harrison Huntley and Leigh Brennan were listed on their ‘best’ list.
The Cats still have premiership prospects with their Reserves and U19.5s.
RIDDELL RECOVERY
Defeated by Melton South by 31 points eight days earlier, Riddell found a way to win despite trailing for the first three quarters in Sunday’s elimination encounter at Wallan.
Captain Josh Grabham led by example on the ball, and ace recruit Nathan Hrovat again excelled.
The Bombers are a proud combination, chasing three flags in succession, and it was last season’s grand final hero Zac Saad who came up with five goals in the hard fought 12.11 (83) to 10.12 (72) victory.
There was some confusion created when an apparent technical hitch led to online match watchers seeing a ‘FINAL’ score indicating Melton South had won the match.
It took some time to fix the unexpected problem.
Melton South is a likely improver next season.
The winner of the Diggers Rest v Riddell semi-final advances straight to the 2026 grand final.
Top side Gisborne Giants enhanced their U19.5 premiership prospects with a 12.10 (82) to 4.11 (35) victory over Kyneton.