Tara Murray
Riddell will take an opening round win in the Riddell District Football League knowing there’s still plenty of work to be done.
The Bombers faced Macedon on Saturday in the annual PUKA Up Cup, with the Bombers coming home with the four points.
The Cats led early on before the Bombers levelled the scores heading into the half time break.
A five goal to one third quarter blew the match open in the favour of the Bombers and that would be the difference.
The Bombers with the win, 8.7 (55)-6.8 (44).
Bombers coach Arron Bray said a win is a win and they’ll take it.
“Macedon was pretty good,” he said. “I think realistically we only played 20 minutes of our football and that was the difference in the day.
“We stuck with what we thought would get the job done.”
Dean Galea kicked three goals for the Bombers, with Bray saying the full forward could have easily had six.
He was the only multiple goal kicker for the Bombers.
Jesse Horton, Jacob Chahine and Trent Stead were the best according to Bray, saying they didn’t really have a standout.
“We had to regroup as a team after quarter time and we were able to do that,” he said.
“We adjusted a couple of things and it paid dividends. It was an arm wrestle for most of the day.”
Another who had an impact was Kamen Ogilvie.,
Ogilvie, who has won best and fairest medals in the Essendon District Football League, joined the Bombers three or four weeks ago, giving them another boost.
For the Cats, Jason Cooke and Sam Indian kicked two goals each, while Hamish Govan and Matthew Dick were named their best.
The Bombers have a couple of injury concerns out of the match.
Dylan Tarczon went off in the first 10 minutes of the game and will likely have a scan, while Brent Swallow had some hamstring tightness late and they pulled the pin on his day.
Bray, who joined the Bombers in the off season, said they know they have a lot of work to do, with several new players.
He said while many people thought they were premiership favourites, he said reigning premiers Diggers Rest was still the team to beat.
The Bombers face Kyneton this Saturday.
The Tigers had the bye after playing Woodend-Hesket on Good Friday, coming away with a good win.
Bray said he was expecting a good game.
In other results on Saturday, Romsey came away with the points against Wallan.
The Magpies led by 26 points at half time before the Redbacks worked their way back into the game, with seven second half goals to one, getting them a 9.8 (62)-7.9 (51) win.
Darcy Lockens kicked three goals for the Redbacks, with Chris Petroro named their best.
Diggers Rest won the other match, proving too strong for Lancefield in the second half, winning 14.10 (94)-7.3 (45).
