Riddell has made a big statement by thrashing ladder-leader Rupertswood in the Riddell District Football League.
Rupertswood has been something of a bogey team for the Bombers, defeating them three times last year and five out of the past six times they have met.
But on Saturday, the Bombers put in one of their best performances for the year, ensuring the Sharks had their worst.
In a sometimes physical game, the Bombers played consistent football for three and half quarters. That’s all they needed to earn a 14.6 (90)-3.9 (27) win.
Bombers’ coach Jamie Elliott said they weren’t necessarily surprised by the result, but the margin was a different story.
He said the Bombers played good, tough footy.
“We thought we would be really competitive,” he said. “The way we went about it, the game opened up for us quite a bit.
“We thought we controlled the game and played well. In the third quarter, they had a few shots and it could have been a bit closer.”
Brayden Allen, who came back into the side for this third game of the season, was named the Bombers’ best.
Elliott said it was hard to name a best six, with as many as 15 players being contenders.
Elliott said a bit more experience had been brought into Saturday’s side, though there
were still six or seven under-18 players in the team.
“That is the pleasing thing,” he said. “We had senior players stand up, too, and it was a good, all-round performance.
“The depth is quite good and we had a couple of players go back to the seconds and play well and put their hands up.”
Another pleasing aspect for Elliott was improved goalkicking, the side having struggled with that in recent weeks.
The win moves the Bombers to fourth, just two games off top spot and well and truly back in the mix. The Sharks have slipped from top to third.
Elliott said they were exactly about where they thought they would be.
“We thought we would be around the mark,” he said.
“We were 0-3, but we were beaten by a kick in the first game. It was just a matter of putting the pressure on.”
The Bombers will this week face Rockbank.
In other results, Diggers Rest smashed Lancefield 22.20 (152)-6.3 (39).
Josh Wallace, Thomas Taylor and Brent Tuckey kicked four goals each for the Burras.
Romsey was too strong for Sunbury Kangaroos, winning 13.14 (92)-5.10 (40).
Wallan won the closest game of the round, defeating Woodend-Hesket 10.14 (74)-8.5 (53).
Melton Centrals and Macedon had no issues getting over Broadford and Rockbank respectively.
