Tara Murray
Romsey may have left it to the last quarter of the regular season, but it did enough to qualify for the Riddell District Football League finals.
The Redbacks needed to win in the final round against Lancefield and hoped that Macedon lost to Woodend-Hesket to take fifth spot ahead of Cats.
At three quarter time both the Redbacks and the Cats trailed in their respective matches.
A five goal final quarter would prove enough for the Redbacks to get home against the Tigers, 10.10 (70)-8.6 (54), while the Cats would fall short ending their finals hopes.
Redbacks coach Justin Sherman said there was a bit of relief to have finally locked in that finals spot.
“We are excited,” he said. “We have three teams in the finals and I don’t know the last time we did that.
“The club is in a good position and we’re really happy. We were the final piece of the puzzle.
“We had a really hard pre-season and it’s a reward for effort.”
The Redbacks led at the first two changes on Saturday against Lancefield, before the Tigers kicked five goals in the third quarter to open up an eight point lead heading into the final.
The Redbacks steadied late to come away with the win.
Sherman said the Tigers made them really work for it.
“It was pretty nerve racking,” he said. “The boys were really challenged and it’s one area that we have struggled with this season, coming from behind to win.
“Lancefield challenged us and we were up for the fight. The boys found a way to up the ante when it was needed.”
Jack Jedwab kicked four goals for the Redbacks, while Corey Pertzel chipped in with three goals.
Sherman said it was their leaders that really stood up late when it was needed to get them over the line.
He highlighted the performance of Jaxson Kinnear, who moved into the ruck in the final quarter, as pivotal.
Sherman said now that they are in the finals, they are confident that they can match it with any of the other teams.
“We just need to challenge them for long enough,” he said. “We do it for three or four quarters, the challenge is to do it for four quarters,
“Anything is possible and we go in as underdogs but our best footy is more than good enough and we will go in and take it on.”
The Redbacks will face Riddell on Sunday in an elimination final. Wallan will play Woodend-Hesket in the qualifying final, while Diggers Rest has the week off.
Sherman said they were ready to try and end the Bombers hopes of back-to-back premierships.
“They are the reigning premiers for a reason,” he said.
“They are a really good side and play tough, hard footy and move the ball strongly. We’ll try and curtail their ball movement.
“We’ll look to bring our best when it counts.”
