Tara Murray
Macedon has claimed its first scalp of the season and thrown its name back in finals contention in the Riddell District Football League.
After a slow start to the season, the Cats on Saturday won their fourth game in five weeks to now sit percentage outside the top five.
Coach Al Meldrum said the win against Romsey was exactly what they needed.
“It was awesome,” he said. “It was good to beat the team above us.
“We have to win games like that to try and get a spot in the finals. To win on our home deck was good too.
“Our first three games at home against Diggers [Rest], Woodend [Hesket] and Wallan we weren’t able to get the job done.”
Meldrum said there were different conditions up at Macedon on Saturday. He said it was one of those days where the wind really hit and made the conditions a bit tricky.
The Cats were able to restrict the Redbacks early, before kicking five goals in the second quarter to open up a 19 point lead.
The margin was reduced to four points at the final break, before four goals to two in the final quarter sealed a 12.5 (77)-9.6 (60) win.
Meldrum said the most pleasing thing for him was how it was not only a four quarter performance, but an even performance.
“The first quarter probably set us up,” he said. “We lost the toss, with a really tricky win.
“We employed a couple of strategies that really worked and we were able to build on that.
“We had more players playing a role, the role players and the lesser likes stood up in really important moments.
“It was very satisfying.”
Declan Phyland led the way in front of goal with six goals, while Dylan Johnstone kicked three.
For the Redbacks, Matthew Hoy kicked three goals.
Meldrum said while there were a number of contributors, there were three standouts.
“Nipper [James Wright] had his best game for a couple of years,” he said.
“He was able to get a hand on the ball lot, earlier in the year he wasn’t getting it as much.
“Declan Phyland kicked six goals out of 12. He has really stepped up in the absence of Jack [Kernan] and Jason [Cooke].
“Dylan Johnstone played his best game of the year as a high half forward. He should have had four goals. He’s just turned 19.”
Meldrum was also impressed with the backline which restricted Romsey’s forward line to just three goals.
The win moves the Cats to a 4-4 record. While they sit in sixth spot, they are only percentage behind Romsey and Riddell.
The Cats have a bye this week before facing Wallan the following week.
Meldrum said they would look to study Wallan the next couple of weeks to hopefully turn around their most disappointing performance of the season.
After the break, the Cats will be hoping to get Jason Cooke and Jack Kernan back from injury.
“Jack and Jason are tracking along okay ,but it’s really difficult to put a date on it,” he said.
“Jason’s wasn’t the standard calf. He’s half a chance for the next game.
“Jack damaged both ligaments in the elbow. Jack is still a few weeks off.
“It will be nice to get Jason back and we can ask a few more questions. Declan has been in good form, but our scoring has been an issue.”
