The race for finals spots in the Riddell District Football League is heating up.
After the favourites won most games in the first half of the season, surprise results and close finishes are becoming more frequent.
Riddell has been the big mover, winning its past four games.
After a big win against Romsey the previous round, the Bombers knocked off a team above them for a second straight week by defeating Sunbury Kangaroos.
The Bombers made the most of their shots on goal to lead at every break in the 11.6 (72)-7.15 (57) win.
Bombers coach Jamie Elliott admitted the Kangaroos’ poor kicking in front of goal was a blessing, but praised his side’s pressure.
“Our pressure against Romsey was terrific for the whole game and it just followed on from there,” he said.
He said pressure was the main difference in the side in the past month, compared to earlier in the season.
He said that was coming with more experience, with the club fielding one of the youngest senior teams.
At least 15 players have played their first senior games this season.
“That’s unheard of,” Elliott said. “Ben Radford has just turned 16 and Harry Power is 18. Lachlan Henson can still play under-18s. Liam Read, Jack Hickey and Brad Collins are all still young.
“Players like Micky Sahlberg haven’t played a lot of senior football. It’s a feather in the cap of the club – these guys deserve to play senior football.
“The experienced players are playing well and the younger guys are following.”
Haydn Ross, Tommy Alkemade and Matthew Panuccio kicked two goals each for the Bombers. Panuccio was named their best.
The win has put the Bombers in sixth spot, only percentage behind fifth-placed Sunbury Kangaroos.
Elliott said that despite improved performances in recent weeks, the goal had remained the same.
“We don’t talk about finals, but we’d love to play finals as we are a proud club,” he said. “If we can get the balance right and get into finals, we could scare a few clubs.”
Romsey sits outside the top six on percentage after beating Woodend-Hesket. Diggers Rest, Rupertswood and Macedon had big wins.
