By Jackson Russell
Romsey came back to earth with a thud after a 54-point loss to an undermanned Riddell in a first versus second on the ladder clash.
The Redbacks started well, kicking the first two goals before Jaidyn Caruana snapped the Redbacks’ third.
Riddell replied with two of their own to trail by four points at quarter time.
The Bombers won the game with their outstanding second term, kicking eight goals unanswered to lead by 43 points at half-time.
The Redbacks were able to get back on the scoreboard in the third term but Riddell extended their lead out to 55 points with a three goal to one quarter.
Facing an insurmountable challenge, Romsey was able to stay even with Riddell in the final term but the match was over early.
Romsey coach Corey O’Sullivan said the first 10 minutes were played just as a team should play with the wind, long and direct through the corridor but it started to go wrong after that.
“The last 15 minutes of the first, for whatever reason, we started to chip the ball and Riddell were able to pressure us better and score two goals into the wind,” he said.
“We just didn’t play smart footy and in the second quarter, when Riddell get up and going, they’re really hard to stop.
“It was a bad loss for us, we didn’t bring a level of intensity that’s required when a side gets on top and we weren’t able to shut them down which was the most disappointing thing about the day.
“The other thing was Riddell had some major players out of their side so it was a fantastic win for them but made it so much harder for us.
“We just couldn’t match their intensity and that’s an area we need to work on.”
The loss was just Romsey’s third for the season and brings the Redbacks level with Riddell and Diggers Rest on premiership points on
The Redbacks are just one percentage point ahead of Diggers Rest, making every goal crucial.
Romsey 6.7 (43) def by Riddell 15.7 (97)
ROMSEY
Goals: A. Paterson, J. Carroll, J. Naylor, J. Caruana, J. Jedwab, M. Burkett.
Best: N. Blair, N. Rayment, J. O’Sullivan, J. Jedwab, M. Goodwin, M. Burkett.
RIDDELL
Goals: E. Foreman 4, H. Ross 2, L. Henson 2, D. Tarczon 2, T. Alkemade, G. Urquhart, P. Sahlberg, L. Tarczon, R. Miller.
Best: R. Miller, L. Tarczon, T. Ford, P. Sahlberg, D. Tarczon.
