Tara Murray
Romsey showed its fighting spirit to move into second in the Riddell District Football League on Saturday.
At half time against Woodend-Hesket, the Redbacks were on the back foot trailing by eight points in a low scoring affair.
The Redbacks kicked four goals to none in the third quarter to turn the deficit into a 16 points lead.
They were able to extend it in the final quarter to seal a 7.10 (52)-4.3 (27).
Redbacks coach Justin Sherman said wins like that really show where the side is.
“It was quite challenging in this game and we were able to find a way when we weren’t playing well,” he said.
“The group last year would have dropped our heads… Our group has fought through adversity when things haven’t gone our way.
“We’ve done it a few things this year and I can’t be prouder of the boys.”
Sherman said the big change from the first to the second half was getting control around the ball.
He said the Hawks dominated the contest and they were getting out too easy.
“They were really controlling it around the coal face,” he said. “We needed to turn it over in the midfield as they were getting a surge forward and putting us under pressure.
“We were able to hit the scoreboard early and get back into the contest.”
Nathan Perrone kicked two goals for the Redbacks.
Sherman said they had a lot of contributors with skipper Nathan Blair the standout on field with the way he set the side up.
For the Hawks, Daniel Toman continued his outstanding form.
With Diggers Rest winning and Wallan having the bye, the Redbacks are now second on the ladder.
Riddell has all but secured top spot, so the three teams are fighting for the remaining two double chances.
Sherman said it’s something they had focused on trying to achieve.
“We want to go deep into finals and a double chance is what you need in your arsenal,” he said.
“If things don’t go your way in the first final, you have the second chance. We’ve spoken about wanting to take a different pathway this year, we need to put ourselves in the best position.”
The Redbacks will have a massive test this week, facing Riddell.
Sherman said these are the games that you want in the lead up to finals.,
“They touched us up the first time,” he said. “We have to fix our starts that have been ordinary, if we give them a start it will be hard to get back into it.
“We spoke after our last bye that there were important weeks that you can’t look too far ahead.
“You need to put out consistent performance at this time of year.”
Elsewhere, Kyneton finals hopes received a boost with an upset win against Diggers Rest on Saturday.
Many expected the Burras to come out firing, but it was the Tigers that led at the first break with the Burras kept goal less.
The margin stayed steady at half time with the Tigers straight kicking of 6.1 to 2.8 a major difference in the game.
The Tigers managed to stay ahead in the second half in a low scoring affair, winning 8.5 (53)-4.10 (34).
Macedon continues to hold Kyneton at bay in the battle for fifth with a win against Lancefield.
The Cats led by 20 points at quarter time and that would be the difference in the game, with the Cats winning 8.7 (55)-6.2 (38).
Riddell continued its good form with a strong performance against Melton Centrals.
The Bombers kicked the first four goals of the game with the margin staying steady heading into half time.
After half time, it was all the Bombers as they kicked seven goals to one to win, 13.11 (89)-3.3 (21).
