By Tara Murray
Riddell is a step closer to a grand final after a strong win against Rupertswood in the Riddell District Football League qualifying final.
While the Sharks finished on top, it was the Bombers that entered the game as favourites.
Having built up a rivalry in recent years, there is no love lost between the two sides and there was no surprise the first half was a tough contest.
But the Bombers stepped up after the main break. They took a while to hit the scoreboard, but once they did, they kicked seven goals to two, to win 15.7 (97)-9.5 (59).
Bombers coach Jamie Elliott said they out-muscled the Sharks late in the game to take control.
“I thought it was a pretty good contest for three quarters,” he said.
“I thought we were really good and really hard. We are a pretty good group when hunting the footy and hunting the man.
“The mental toughness was really good.”
Elliott said they had expected the Sharks to come out hard and it was about trying to maintain composure and discipline.
“I thought we coughed the footy up a bit early on and we weren’t great with our discipline.
“I gave them a bit of a cook at half-time about that [discipline].
“They came out and became men. You could see them grow up before your eyes.
“We cleaned the footy up going forward.
To get an effort like that and the boys’ ability, your always a chance to win the game.”
Elliott said the back line stood up strongly. He said Scott Walsh was best on ground while Tom Cassidy, in his first seniors finals game, and the Sahlberg boys, Paul and Michael [three goals], were also good.
Dylan Tarczon also kicked three goals for the Bombers.
Dean Putt and Brett Chambers both played their first senior game back in a number of weeks.
Chambers left the ground limping in the third quarter, before returning to the ground in the last quarter, but only played deep forward.
For the Sharks, Nick Grigg kicked three goals and Brent Swallow kicked two.
Swallow and Kayne Murphy were named their best.
Elliott said Matthew Panuccio, who missed the win, is a chance to return this week.
The Bombers will play Diggers Rest for a spot in the grand final on Saturday at Clarke Oval.
Diggers Rest had no issue accounting for Romsey with their best four quarter performance of the season in an elimination final on Sunday.
The Burras won 19.10 (124)-6.7 (43). Cameron McCabe kicked five goals, while Mathew Medcraft played his best game for the club.
Rupertswood will look to keep its season alive against Macedon in a semi-final on Sunday.
Macedon stunned Wallan, in an elimination final on Sunday, winning 20.14 (134)-11.10 (76). The Cats led by eight points at half-time before kicking away.
Matthew Knox kicked eight goals in a best on ground performance for the Cats.
For more details on Macedon and Diggers Rest’s wins:
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/experience-shines-through-for-macedon/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/diggers-rest-brings-its-best/
