Riddell’s incredible debut season in the Riddell District Football League women’s competition has continued with the side through to the grand final.
The Bombers initial focus was on building a strong culture and the building blocks for a women’s side for years to come.
When the results started to come their way, the expectations changed.
On Saturday night, the Bombers won through to the grand final.
Coach Rob Bretherton said it was pretty special for the group.
“It’s what we’ve been working for,” he said. “Last night [Saturday] was really good and the girls are pretty rapt.
“The most important thing for us was to not be the easybeats of the competition. Once we cemented our finals spot the girls had to rest. We won that first final and the pressure was off.”
The Bombers faced Lancefield in the preliminary final with Macedon awaiting the winner in the grand final.
The Bombers had yet to beat the Tigers at home, while the Tigers were still aiming for their first finals win.
Bretherton said his playing group had come to play and they had nothing to lose.
“Lancefield are a really strong team and super experienced a group that have played together the last couple of years,” he said.
“They wouldn’t necessarily be as happy with their performance as we were. There’s still a lot we have to improve on for next week.”
Neither team kicked a goal in the first quarter before the Bombers kicked two in the second quarter to open up a 13 point lead at the main break.
The Tigers didn’t give up and kicked their first goal in the third quarter to bring the margin back to six points.
Riddell was able to finish it off with a final quarter goal to win, 3.4 (22)-1.4 (10).
Bretherton said they felt like they were in control throughout the game despite it being close on the scoreboard.
It was all single goalkickers on the ground.
Molly Connell, Mariam Habib and Emma Croft were named the Bombers best.
For Lancefield, Molly Libardi, Lilly Bromley and Georgia Champion were the standouts.
The Bombers will get six of their starting line up back for the grand final to further strengthen their squad.
Bretherton said the group know they have nothing to lose against the Cats, who are yet to lose a match this season.
He said he hadn’t seen a first season like this before.
“No one expected to be here,” he said. “When I signed with the club, the commitment was that I didn’t excerpt to make finals.
“It was about culture and the chemistry around the team and getting the club around the women’s team.
“They have done an amazing job. Whatever happens it has been a great success. We’ve already made history.”
The grand final is set to be a twilight match at Gilbert Gordon Oval in Woodend.
