By Tara Murray
Rupertswood has overcome Wallan and the wind to come away with a vital win in the Riddell District Football League.
With both sides already assured of playing finals, the result of Saturday’s match was important in shaping final positions.
The Sharks were wasteful in front of goal, but came from behind to win 8.16 (64)-6.9 (45).
Sharks coach Nick Ash said it wasn’t a pretty game, with the four to five-goal wind making it hard for both sides.
“It was really windy to the city end,” he said. “It was one of those games that wasn’t a pretty spectacle.
“It took away from the contest a little bit. We were lucky [that] when we had the wind, we were able to kick a few more goals.”
Ash said that while the wind played a part in the poor kicking for goal, at times his players took shots when they should have passed off.
Ash said the players had been challenged in the lead-up to the match after a poor performance against Diggers Rest the previous week.
He was thrilled with how they responded.
“It was a game in which we needed to respond,” he said.
“We got shown up and cannot turn up and think it will happen.
“We put the onus on the boys to go up to Wallan and perform where we don’t normally play too well.”
Ash said Brent Swallow was clearly best on ground – not just when he had ball in hand, but also for his leadership.
Jordan Tentonello, in his third senior game, was the other stand-out for the Sharks.
The win has Rupertswood sitting in fifth, with just one game separating the top six.
Ash said it was a really even season.
“I think this year more than any other year, it doesn’t matter where you finish,” he said.
“Anyone can beat anyone. It’ll be about who has the right players on the park at the right time.”
Rupertswood will have some selection headaches in the lead-up to finals, with several players to return.
The side that played Wallan had seven changes from the Diggers Rest game.
Among those to return are Brett Chambers, Patrick Scanlon, Kayne Murphy, Cam McRorie and Billy Cannolo.
Chambers and Cannolo are yet to play this season.
Ash said the club weren’t taking any risks at this time of year.
“We’ll have several come back this week and about four or five the week after,” he said.
“A couple have been training for the last couple of weeks – we’re making sure we get the load into them.
“This time last year, we were injury free and playing with the same side – and then we had injuries in the first final.
“This year we have played 45 or 46 players in the senior side, so they’ve got senior experience.”
Riddell, Diggers Rest, Macedon and Lancefield were the other winners.
MORE RDFL NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/coaching-change-at-woodend-hesket/
