By Tara Murray
Riddell got a much needed win in the Riddell District Football League on Saturday.
At the risk of starting the season 1-3, the Bombers put in their best performance of the season to beat a strong Wallan side.
The game was in the balance at half-time, before the Bombers kicked 12 goals to two after to win, 21.12 (138)-9.8 (62).
Bombers co-coach Jamie Elliott said they played out some really good football.
“I had a look at them [Wallan] last week when we had the bye,” he said.
“They’re a quality side and it was going to be about who won the battle in the middle.
“For three quarters we controlled the middle which was pleasing. We had a plan and they executed it to a tee, besides the second quarter.
“I was really happy with it. We needed a win like this as we didn’t know how our form stacked up.”
Elliott said the most pleasing thing about the performance was the even spread of contributors.
He said the younger guys played their roles, while the experienced guys led from the front.
“It was a pretty even spread and we’re hard to get beaten if we do that as a team.”
Dylan Tarczon kicked six goals in a best on ground performance, while Haydn Ross and Matt Panuccio were also solid contributors.
The win brings the Bombers back to 2-2, after starting the season 0-2.
Elliott said they had made some slight changes in their last two matches, which has helped them turn around their form.
“It’s a few little things, nothing major,” he said. “There was some discipline issues.
“We tinkered with the game plan a little bit and made some positional changes.”
Elliott knows that they need to continue the momentum they’ve gained with their last two wins, with a tough back end of the season.
Unfortunately for Riddell it will have to wait another week to continue that momentum, with the interleague bye this week.
“We’ve got to keep performing that way,” Elliott said.
“We have to turn the screws and keep going.
“We don’t want to be in a position where you have to keep winning games to play finals.
“The last seven or eight games are against the top sides, the likes of Diggers, Rupo and Wallan.
“We have to stay strong and string a few wins together.”
Melton Centrals were competitive against Diggers Rest in the closest game of the round.
The Burras had enough class to win, 16.10 (106)-11.8 (74).
Macedon found some form against Woodend-Hesket, winning 14.15 (99)-7.3 (45).
It was one sided affairs in the other games.
Rupertswood smashed Rockbank, 43.21 (279)-0.1 (1), with Nick Grigg kicking eight goals.
Mitch Jensen and Jack Jedwab kicked seven goals each in the Redbacks 32.25 (217)-0.0 (0) win against Lancefield.
MORE RDFL NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/melton-centrals-on-the-improve/
