By Tara Murray
Riddell was at its ruthless best in a massive win against the Gisborne Giants in the Riddell District Football League.
The Giants first match up against last year’s premiers was one that would be among their hardest in their first season so far.
The Bombers led by 52 points at quarter time and it was a sign of things to come.
Riddell’s margin below out to 136 points heading into the final quarter before they took the foot off the pedal.
They still won the final quarter in a 30.22 (202)-7.3 (45) win.
Bombers coach Arron Bray said it was a really good performance.
“We had a lot out, which is a bonus,” he said. “We were able to get a win by that much and our structures and strengths were still pretty good.
“Credit to them they have a lot of kids who are going to be OK in the next few years but we were ruthless in what we did yesterday [Saturday].”
Bray said with the margin so big it was hard to stay focused in the final quarter but they were still able to put more score on the board.
Dean Galea kicked seven goals for the Bombers, while Lachlan Hay kicked five goals and Luke Cannon kicked four.
Bray said young ruck Ben Taylor, who is also with the Calder Cannons, was outstanding while Dylan Tarczon was another strong contributor in what was a really good spread.
Brad Mangan and Thomas Doyle were named the Giants best in the loss.
Bray said they were missing six or seven of their top players.
Skipper Josh Grabham, Dylan Podolczak, Matt Darby and Callum Williamson were among those missing.
Bray said Grabham should return next round, while some of those returning would likely come through the reserves with the depth they had.
There’s a competition wide by this weekend due to the long weekend. The Bombers face Lancefield after the bye.
The Bombers enter the bye in second spot with a 6-1 record.
Bray said they were happy with where they were having gone under the radar a little bit.
He said they would look to have a mini pre-season in the coming weeks to keep them prepared for the winter months.
“Against Diggers [Rest] we had similar numbers out to yesterday [Saturday] and they were pretty much full strength,” he said.
“We were up by five points at three quarter time. We’re pretty happy with where we are and hopefully we’ve had the majority of our injury spell already.”
In other results, Macedon got its second win of the season as it beat Woodend-Hesket, 10.11 (71)-6.5 (41).
Melton South upset Kyneton, 12.15 (87)-10.6 (66), while Diggers Rest beat Lancefield, 18.22 (130)-3.7 (25).
Wallan beat Melton Centrals in the other match.
