By Tara Murray
Romsey was on a mission on Saturday, easily accounting for Woodend-Hesket in the Riddell District Football League.
Having been smashed by the Hawks the last time the two teams met, the Redbacks were ready to get one back over them.
Besides a small period of play late in the first quarter, the Redbacks put on a show and blew the Hawks off the park, winning 25.15 (165)-7.7(49).
Redbacks’ coach Corey O’Sullivan said they pencilled the game in as an “eight point” game.
“We had a really poor game against Woodend last year over there and we were pretty stung by it,” he said.
“They are coming for our spot, and as far as we are concerned we’re not going to give it up.
“It’s pleasing that we’re understanding our game plan better, the way we want to play our footy.
“We injected a few players into there who can expose a bit of pace, it was good.”
O’Sullivan said they dominated from early in the game, but it took a while to get the reward on the scoreboard.
A few changes in the forward line worked wonders, as they outscored the Hawks 20 goals to four after quarter-time.
Most pleasingly for O’Sullivan was the tackling pressure.
“We tackled really well today, which was a focus,” he said.
“Woodend are a hard-at-it side and play a brand of football which is hard.
“We had 54 tackles for the game. In a game where you’ve had 40 scoring shots, dominating across the ground, to have that many tackles was pleasing.”
O’Sullivan said their workrate was good as well, with the group putting in those extra efforts.
Mitch Jensen led the way up forward with seven goals, but they had plenty of targets, with six other players scoring multiple goals.
O’Sullivan said Connor Whelan in the ruck and Jaidyn Caruana (four goals) were the best two players on the ground.
Whelan finished the game on the bench having copped a slight knee injury. O’Sullivan used the opportunity to try a few things.
“Harrison Notman went into the ruck and Joel Naylor went onto the ball as a 6’4 midfielder and got four clearances,” O’Sullivan said.
“You’ve got to make sure you have players who can play multiple positions to play finals football and win, we haven’t done that in the past.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Romsey vs Woodend-Hesket
Tyson Chapman was the only multiple goalscorer for the Hawks, kicking two goals.
Ben Toman was named their best on a tough day.
The Redbacks will, for the first time this season, play in consecutive weeks, facing Macedon this week.
O’Sullivan said these are the games they need to win.
“Macedon in Macedon is hard to beat,” he said. “We’ve beaten Macedon over here, but haven’t beaten them over there while I’ve been coaching.
“It’s something we have to do.”
In other matches, Rupertswood claimed the points in the annual Anzac Day clash against Macedon, winning 10.8 (68)-5.4 (34).
Diggers Rest remains undefeated after beating Wallan, 13.15 (93)-9.14 (68), while Riddell got its first win of the season, beating Lancefield 29.19 (193)-1.2 (8).
Broadford also got its first win of the season, beating Rockbank 22.14 (146)-6.8 (44).
MORE RDFL NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/diggers-rest-on-a-roll/
