By Colin MacGillivray
ALTHOUGH their final hit-outs were poles apart on Saturday, Wallan and Romsey will begin their Riddell District Football Netball League finals campaigns brimming with confidence this weekend.
Wallan showed why it was considered a pre-season flag fancy by knocking off top side Diggers Rest with a stifling defensive effort in tricky conditions at Greenhill Reserve.
The Magpies made the most of fair conditions in the first half to build a 23-point advantage at the long break, then conceded only one goal in the second half as persistent rain set in, turning the northern end of the oval into a mud pit.
Wallan controlled the game from the midfield, with a ruck tandem of Will Brock and Pat Mahoney feeding midfielders Jarryd Bonello, Ricky Schraven and Corey Viani on a steady diet of hitouts.
When the Burras were able to venture forward, the likes of Cody Lynch, Matt Bonello and captain Michael Mannix repelled them consistently.
With league-leading goal kicker Matt Perri rested, Corey Grindlay booted three goals for Wallan and could have had more if not for some wasted opportunities, while Brock added two in addition to his ruck work.
Mannix said he was happy with the team’s 10.8 (68) to 4.6 (30) win, which atoned for a 40-point loss to Diggers Rest in round eight.
“It was pleasing to be able to play well in the dry first and well in the wet second. We adapted to the conditions in each quarter, and finals football is the same – you’ve got to adapt to what’s put in front of you, and that’s something we did really well,” he said.
“I think we’ve been pretty confident in our ability all the way through, it was just about putting it together.
“You always respect the opposition, but we’re comfortable and confident that if we play our brand of football, it’s good enough to win.”
Wallan coach Daniel Nolan described the Magpies as a ‘proud group’ and said they were keen to make a statement before the finals.
“I thought what happened last time wasn’t a true reflection of where we are and what we want to achieve,” he said.
“They beat us in most facets of the game last time and I thought it was important for the players to respond, even though we can’t move on the ladder.
“It was important that they showed they can really look at those deficiencies and respond, and they did that for four quarters.”
Wallan’s win was enough to knock the Burras from their perch atop the ladder, meaning the sides will play again in Saturday’s qualifying final at Romsey Park.
Nolan said up to four senior players could be recalled for the match.
“Matt Perri won the league goal kicking and Jesse Davies is one of the best mids in the comp, so they’re both rested and will be ready to go next week,” he said.
“Then you’ve got Lachie Inness and Rhys Frost as well, so for the first final we should have our best 22 available for the first time all year, which is exciting for the group.
“It’s always a bit interesting when you play a team in the last week and then again in the first final. I’m sure it will be very competitive. I know they rested a few as well.”
Redbacks out for revenge
While Wallan enters the finals after an ideal final hit-out, Romsey comes in under a cloud after losing to Woodend-Hesket 8.7 (55) to 11.8 (74).
Redbacks coach Paul Kennedy said Romsey expected to field its strongest side of the season, but instead ended up undermanned.
“It was a bit of Comedy Capers really. We picked a side on Thursday night that I looked at and thought was probably the best side we’d picked all year, with only two to come back in. Then by 2pm on Friday I had just about the whole midfield out with COVID-19,” he said.
“We lost four players before the game, which really stretched us in the midfield.
“Woodend-Hesket should be congratulated because they really came to play and finished their season on a high note. They were really solid all over the ground and we got off to a sloppy start.”
While the Hawks got out to a 40-point lead in the second quarter, Romsey managed to get the game back on its terms but could not reel in the home team.
With captain Nathan Blair, vice-captain Michael Tinkler and key midfielder Corey Purtzel sidelined with COVID on Saturday, Kennedy said he hoped to field a stronger side for Sunday’s elimination final against Macedon.
“I spoke to Nathan on Sunday night and he’s feeling a heap better. He had a couple of pretty average days on Friday and Saturday, so hopefully he’s over the worst of it now,” he said.
“Corey is young and fit, so we’re hoping he throws it off, but Michael Tinkler had a gastro complaint and has also been carrying a back injury, so we’ve got to hope that gets up.
“Either way we should still be going in with a pretty strong side.”
Kennedy said he expected a tight contest with the Cats, with conditions at Greenhill Reserve, Wallan, expected to be wet again this week.
“The last time we played Macedon they had several players missing and we had about nine out that day, so we’ll certainly be a different side to what they played last time,” he said,
“Both games this year have gone down to the wire – it’s been [12] points and seven points – so I don’t think there’s a lot between the two sides. It will just depend who gets the game on their terms.
“Once it gets wet it can get pretty ugly at Wallan, so I’m tipping it will be a highly contested game of footy, which I’m hoping will suit us.”
Lancefield bowed out with a 2.5 (17) to 19.15 (129) loss to minor premier Riddell on Saturday, finishing the season in eighth place with two wins and 14 losses.
Aythyn Robotham was named best afield for the Tigers in his senior debut, with Ben Sankey, Blake Rix, Scott Jowett and Will Janky other junior call-ups to impress.
