Tara Murray
Riddell is playing some of its best team football in a number of years and it’s showing in the Riddell District Football League.
The Bombers continue to pile on the wins, despite missing key personnel due to injury and COVID-19.
Bombers football director Craig Rowsell said the group had come together really well.
“Everyone is buying into what we’re doing,” he said.
“Everyone is playing their roles. We’ve had four or five close ones this year that we’ve won. Everyone is chipping in and we’re playing our best team football for a few years.”
As part of this focus, the Bombers have looked to bring through younger players, who are the future of the club.
So far at least eight have made their debuts, with Roswell saying they’ve really stepped up while some of their leaders have been out.
“We’ve got a lot of games into the kids and they’ve really stepped up and some have cemented their spots, which is really positive.
“At the start of the year we didn’t look like having under-18s, and now they’re sitting second.”
On Saturday the Bombers came away with a big win against Macedon, 13.10 (88)-3.13 (31).
The day wasn’t without drama, with the Bombers losing a few players late. Roswell said at one stage on game day they had 18 or 19 players, with two players needing to double up.
“It’s a great win,” he said.
“The last four or five encounters with Macedon have been won by less than a goal. With COVID and injury we were missing five or six key players.
“Macedon had similar issues with COVID.”
The Bombers jumped out of the blocks with five goals to nil in the first quarter and were able to build from there.
Mick Edwards kicked three goals for the Bombers. Tommy Alkermade was named best on ground.
For the Cats, it was all single goal kickers. Alec McGregor was named their best.
The Bombers, who sit second, with aims of finishing in the top five and securing a double chance.
They have a bye this weekend, before facing the bye two teams in the final two rounds of the season.
Roswell said Andrew Duhau, Lucas Shaw and Dylan Tarczon would all return after the bye.
The news isn’t as good for Tim Walsh who had surgery on his quad and is done for the season.
Roswell said the addition of Duhau and Shaw, who had both been captains at their previous clubs, had been really beneficial.
“Not just on the field, but even more off field,” he said.
“The leadership has been fantastic and they’ve had coaching roles the last few weeks.”
Roswell said the last couple of games the focus was to continue to build and try not to lose anyone to injury.
In other results, Wallan smashed Lancefield, Diggers Rest beat Romsey, while Melton Centrals were able to account for the Western Rams.
