Stoic defence and a first-half scoring blitz were the backbone of Rupertswood’s win over Sunbury in the Riddell District Football League on Saturday.
The 16.6 (102)-8.10 (58) scoreline told the story, with Rupertswood far too good in the first three quarters. Sunbury restored some pride late to win the final quarter after being held scoreless in the third.
The match between the two finals aspirants started at a cracking pace, but it was Rupertswood that showed its class up forward, bagging seven goals from eight shots to open up a 28-point margin by the first break.
While his side was well in front on the scoreboard, Rupertswood coach Kevin Fitzgerald was impressed with the contest provided by home side Sunbury.
“It was a really good standard of footy, especially early,” he said. “There was a lot of heat in the contest and the ground was dry, so the ball was moving around pretty quick … we were happy to open up that early lead and then go on with it.”
While attack was the visitors’ strong suit early in the match, it was their defence over the next two quarters that delivered the win.
Sunbury scored a single goal in the second quarter and none in the third as Rupertswood stretched the lead out to 58 points at three- quarter time.
The match petered out to a degree in the final quarter, with Sunbury slotting five goals to trim the margin, but it was Rupertswood’s day as it consolidated its hold on fourth spot. Sunbury sits in seventh.
While Todd Podolczak grabbed four goals and Brent Swallow was a stand-out through the middle for the victors, Fitzgerald was most impressed with the efforts of some of his younger brigade.
“Blokes like Dylan Podolczak, Dylan Featon and Luke Cannon are all under 18 and they led the way, really, which was great to see,” the coach said. “We’ve got a tough run home, playing some very strong sides, so we’ve just got to keep winning these games against the teams around us to keep us in those finals positions.”
John Corso (corked thigh) and Liam Berry (corked calf), the only injured players for Rupertswood, will be monitored during the week.
