By Colin MacGillivray
WALLAN’S senior footballers must quickly put the disappointment of a three-goal semi-final loss to Riddell behind them as they prepare for a do-or-die preliminary final at Macedon on Saturday.
The Magpies entered the weekend full of confidence as they prepared to play for a spot in the Riddell District Football Netball League grand final, but were left to rue the Bombers’ 10-goal second quarter blitz that ultimately sealed an 11.7 (73) to 14.7 (91) loss.
The game at Romsey Park started promisingly for Wallan, with midfielder Corey Viani outworking his opponent to force a loose ball forward, before a Jake Layley handball over the top of the defence sent Sean Morris into an open goal barely two minutes into the first quarter.
Wallan struck again after a 50-metre penalty brought Todd Muldoon within scoring range, and when Jesse Davies hit leading forward Matt Perri – back in the side after a month-long injury layoff – who converted another set shot, the Magpies led 20-0.
Wallan’s defence was superb in the opening minutes, with Corey Baker intercepting Riddell forward entries and the likes of Brenton Cox, Cody Lynch and captain Michael Mannix providing timely spoils.
It looked as though the Bombers would go goalless in the opening term, but a running goal by Jesse Horton in time-on saw Riddell draw within 13 points at the first change.
The goal was a sign of things to come from Horton, who dominated across the ground to finish as one of the Bombers’ best players.
His goal seemed to spark Riddell into action, with the Bombers goaling in the first 90 seconds of the second quarter.
Although Steven Boyall delivered a beautiful ball to Perri on the lead to give the Magpies a quick reply, the Bombers began to wrest control of the centre clearances.
After Perri’s third goal of the match at the eight-minute mark of the second quarter, Wallan conceded eight straight goals to end the term, with small forward Jack Hammerling combining with Horton to do the bulk of the Bombers’ damage.
Wallan seemed powerless to stop the onslaught, with the frenetic pace of the game playing into Riddell’s hands.
Half time offered a welcome chance for Wallan to reset, and coach Daniel Nolan said he used it to deliver a simple message to his team.
“[I told them] we’re still in it. I’ve got faith in this list that if we just go in five-minute sections and try to peg the game back [we can do it],” he said.
“I thought if we were in it at three-quarter time, we could get some belief. We don’t want to look too far ahead – just win every five minutes.”
Jake Layley appeals for a holding the ball decision. Sean Morris outruns Riddell’s Jesse Horton to kick the first goal of the game. 
Cody Lynch applies a desperate tackle. Daniel Mackertich releases a handball as he is tackled by a Riddell opponent. Corey Grindlay evades Riddell’s Ben Sonogan. Todd Muldoon kicks a goal for Wallan. Jake Layley wraps up Bomber Dylan Tarczon. 
Riddell ruckman Josh Grabham, left, and Wallan’s Patrick Mahoney compete for a hitout. Lachlan Inness stretches for a mark as the ball sails over his head. Corey Baker prevents his Riddell opponent from marking on the lead. Wallan’s Will Brock, left, and Riddell’s Josh Grabham take to the air in a centre ball up. Jack Hammerling is on the receiving end of a Riddell centre clearance. Wallan’s Brodie Gilchrist kicks on the run. Cody Lynch marks at half back. Patrick Mahoney and Josh Grabham at a centre ball up. Wallan vice-captain Ricky Schraven sends the Magpies forward. Corey Baker hangs onto opponent Oscar Besanko any way he can. Wallan captain Michael Mannix spoils an opponent. Wallan players huddle ahead of a big last quarter. Corey Viani streams through the centre of the ground. Steven Boyall attempts to bump Riddell’s Jordon Reardon. Lachlan Inness sheds an opponent. Daniel Couwenberg, right, lunges for a loose ball. Ricky Schraven sends Wallan on a final foray forward in front of a crowd of onlookers. Riddell players celebrate at the final siren.
Nolan’s message got through, with Wallan regaining control of the match in the third quarter to boot 4.3 to 1.1, coming back from 38 points down to be within 11 at the final change.
Forward Corey Grindlay, playing higher up the ground to create space for Perri and Nathan Fowler, helped turn the tide with a goal halfway through the term, giving Wallan a spark.
Although Riddell kicked the first two goals of the fourth quarter to re-establish a 23-point lead, Wallan never stopped trying.
Daniel Couwenberg’s tackle on the goal line to force a holding the ball decision gave him his second major of the game and the Magpies some faint hope, but Riddell was able to grind life out of the contest with repeated stoppages and possession football.
It was that ball control that Nolan said decided the game. He said Riddell’s second-quarter surge was not due to a drop in confidence by his side, but an inability to adjust to the state of the game.
“It was more about adjusting to the tempo of the game – getting it and holding onto it, and forcing repeat stoppages,” he said.
“They were able to keep playing their free-flowing game, which they’re good at. They run and carry and they’ve got some good outside runners.
“Late in the game it was in the balance for a little bit, and then I thought Riddell played slow play for a bit. When we were coming they were able to hold the tempo a little bit, and that’s something that we needed to be able to do in the second term.
“They were able to get extra numbers in our forward line and take the pace off the game. Full credit to them – they’re a good team.”
Wallan will now play Diggers Rest for the third time in four weeks after the Burras defeated Macedon 12.9 (81) to 10.4 (64).
Nolan said the Magpies still believed they could contend for a premiership.
“I said to the boys after the game that it’s not over. We’ll be disappointed, but it’s a different path to our destination,” he said.
“We know where the destination is that we want to get to, but now we’re taking a longer way to get there.”
Wallan’s reserves will play in the grand final after downing Diggers Rest 7.8 (50) to 3.6 (24) in on Saturday, earning a week off. The Magpies’ under 19.5 side was defeated 5.7 (37) to 8.10 (58) by Riddell and will play Romsey in Saturday’s preliminary final.
