Romsey’s faith in youth and local talent is starting to show through with a massive win over Melton Centrals in the Riddell District Football League on Saturday.
After going close to Broadford and Rupertswood in recent weeks, the Redbacks overcame a slow start against Centrals to win 18.14 (122)-9.6 (60) at Arnolds Creek Reserve.
Redbacks coach Andrew Bubb said his side was second to the ball early in the match and Centrals led by nine points at quarter-time.
But once the Redbacks got going in the second quarter, they seized control.
“We’ve been building to it and getting better every week,” Bubb said. “We were slow starters yesterday and we went over the top of them.
“It’s a big ground and there was lots of space to kick to and we used that to our advantage.
“They didn’t kick a goal in the second and third quarters.”
Phil Romeril was named best on ground for closing down Rex Hickman, while Matthew Burkett and Marc Young were also among the best.
Ben Way kicked four for the winners.
The win is the Redbacks’ second for the season but the first they’ve won on the field; they lost to Sunbury Kangaroos in round 1 but were awarded the four points because of an administrative error by the Kangaroos.
Bubb feels there are plenty of good signs for the Redbacks.
“Out of the guys who played against Melton, all but three live locally,” he said.
“After the Broadford game we did a review and found that 16 players who have played senior football this year have come through the juniors.
“And we’ve had six under-18s play seniors.”
He said Jackson Mills and Ayden Tessari had thrived while taking on leadership roles, while a number of young guys were taking their opportunities to play senior football.
“Harrison Notman and Aaron Paterson played in last year’s preliminary final before missing out on the grand final,” Bubb said.
“Jack Jedwab is still an under-18s player but has played every senior game.”
Even though there are no matches this weekend because of the Queen’s Birthday holiday, Bubb said his team would continue to train.
“With so many new faces in the side there have been a lot of structures and set-ups to learn,” Bubb said. “We want to build on what we did on Saturday.”
In other weekend results, Diggers Rest smashed Woodend-Hesket, Wallan shocked Sunbury Kangaroos, Riddell inflicted more pain on Rockbank, Broadford defeated Rupertswood and Macedon remained undefeated after beating Lancefield.
