By Tara Murray
Rupertswood claimed an important win against Riddell in the Riddell District Football League on the weekend.
Having lost to the Bombers twice last season, the Sharks were keen to get one back.
The Sharks led at every break and while they were never able to fully break away they did enough to win 13.9 (87)-8.9 (57).
Sharks coach Nick Ash was pretty happy with the result.
“It was a good win, a good team performance,” he said.
“We played some good football. There were times both teams had some momentum, they missed some gettable goals that would have got them closer at stages.
“The game never blew out past five goals.”
Nick Grigg and Matthew Knight kicked four goals each.
Those four take Grigg’s total to 29 goals in seven matches, placing him third on the league goalkicking table. Last year he kicked 23 goals in eight games after coming across mid season.
“It’s always hard coming to a different club mid season,” Ash said of Grigg.
“He had two or three trainings and then had to go out there and perform.
“He could have given up footy but he still had the hunger and we were lucky to get him.
“He then signed on for this year. He’s a really good bloke and fitted in really well.”
Knight and Lochie Muir were named best on ground, but it was two of the younger players that impressed Ash.
“Bailey Marshall, in his fourth game, was really good. His development over the last 12 months has been exceptional.
“We’ve put a lot of time into him and the other under-19s. It was the best of his four games.
“Patrick Scanlon has now played three games in a row in the seniors, played a really solid game.
“The younger players are getting opportunities and making the most of them.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Riddell vs Rupertswood
The win moves the Sharks into third spot with a 5-2 record.
Ash said they had been in every game this season.
“The games we’ve lost, we’ve been in winnable positions.
“The Romsey game, they would have thought they could have won that.
“We’ve played the rest of the teams from the top six last season.
“We’ve still got to play four or five of those teams twice, and Woodend and Broadford who have both improved.”
The Sharks this week face Lancefield.
Rupertswood are expected to get a number of key players back in the coming weeks after a bad run with injuries.
“We’ve still got a few to come back. Chambo [Brett Chambers] should be back for a half next [this] week.
“Nash Egan and Matt Smith are still a while way. Leigh Wellington has played two games back in the reserves after having knee surgery.”
In other results, Diggers Rest, Broadford, Wallan and Romsey were the winners.
