Riddell has set up a grand final date with Diggers Rest in the Riddell District Football League.
The Bombers saw off Broadford in their preliminary final at Lancefield Park on Saturday.
The Bombers controlled much of two and a half quarters against the Kangaroos before the latter’s more experienced bodies started to find more of the ball.
It was all the Kangaroos in the final quarter as they peppered the goals in their bid to reduce the margin.
They got within a goal before Brian Ruffell kicked a settler for the Bombers. The Kangaroos responded immediately to get it back with a goal.
The Kangaroos were left to rue poor kicking in front of goal – they kicked 3.6 in the last quarter. Their comeback fell just short, with the Bombers winning 8.6 (54)-6.14 (50) and sealing their grand final spot.
Bombers coach Jamie Elliott said the winning margin was of no consequence.
The Bombers had earlier defeated Macedon in the semi-finals by three points.
“We got there by the skin of our teeth,” he said. “I thought we controlled the game for the first two and a half quarters and they got on top midway through the third quarter.
“There’s always some doubt that we could hold on. They put [Brodie] Holland and some of their bigger bodies in the middle and it made a difference. Our young blokes hung on.”
Competition-leading goal-kicker Brian Ruffell kicked four goals for the Bombers, including the all-important settler in the final quarter.
Ben Sonogan, Tim and Scott Walsh and Michael Treweek were the best for the Bombers.
Elliott, in his first year as senior coach, said the club was probably a little further ahead of where he envisioned it would be.
“At the top end we have a lot of talent,” he said.
“You don’t know what you’re going to get from the younger players. Some have come in and then got dropped, but gone back and learnt and got another chance.”
The Bombers last played in a grand final in 2013. On that occasion, they defeated the Burras by seven points.
That match was the first of three successive grand final losses for Diggers Rest – and on that day, Elliott was coaching the Burras.
About a third of the Bombers’ side from that grand final will play in this year’s grand final.
Unfortunately, Jason Allen won’t be one of them after breaking a bone in one of his hands against Broadford.
Elliott said his absence was an opportunity for someone to come in and make the most of their opportunity.
As for the grand final, Elliott knows the Bombers will need to play well for four quarters to get the job done.
“We’ve ran with them twice this year and have been ahead,” he said.
“If we can play our best footy and get our heads right, we are a chance.
“They will have some mental scars, but we have to get our young players right. Many are playing in their first finals series.”
The Bombers reserves side won’t be in the grand final after losing its preliminary final to the Sunbury Kangaroos.
The Kangaroos will be looking to go three premierships in a row.
Woodend-Hesket ended Diggers Rest’s hopes of having all three sides in the grand final, coming from behind in the under-18.5s preliminary final.
The Hawks, who were runners-up last year, kicked the last five goals of the game to win 11.11 (77) – 9.4 (58).
They will face Rupertswood, which has won the past two premierships.
