By Tara Murray
Romsey had its best win of the Riddell District Football League season, holding off Rupertswood on Saturday.
After dropping a thriller to the Sharks earlier this season, the Redbacks made sure it didn’t happen a second time.
There wasn’t much between the two teams all day.
The Sharks took the early ascendancy in the last quarter, but couldn’t convert on the scoreboard.
The Redbacks regained the lead late, and despite a last ditch shot at goal by the Sharks, hung on to win 11.8 (74)-9.8 (62).
Redbacks coach Corey O’Sullivan said the game was a real finals-type game.
“It was hard, it was contested and it was tough, like finals football,” he said.
“You have long periods of the game where you’re not playing your best footy.
“For us to fight back showed a lot of character. We’re really pleased as a group to get the job done.”
O’Sullivan said both teams were more accountable than the first time they played each other, which showed on the scoreboard.
He admits that had the Sharks converted early in the last quarter it could have been a different result.
“I really thought there were times Rupertswood looked so dangerous and hard to stop.
“They missed some chances, but I also like to look at little things. They had a shot from 25 metres out and missed, but Joel Naylor kicked it straight to him from 15 metres away, that’s a poor kick also
“[But] When you stick strong and believe in your team and that you can get it done, you hope things go your way and they did.”
O’Sullivan said everyone stood up when they needed to.
Jack Jedwab kicked four goals after moving from centre half-back at half-time. Blake Henderson, Jaidyn Caruana and Nathan Blair were the other standouts.
The win keeps Romsey sitting atop the ladder.
“The challenge for us now is doing the little things well, the team things well and the unselfish things well,” O’Sullivan said.
The other winners were Macedon, Riddell, Wallan and Woodend-Hesket.
