By Colin MacGillivray
DESPITE heavy player turnover, Wallan showed its determination to remain among the Riddell District Football Netball League’s upper echelon sides with a tough 13-point win against Romsey on Saturday.
The Magpies lost about a dozen players from last year’s side that came within one win of a grand final appearance, fielding a staggering 10 debutants against the Redbacks on Saturday.
But while Wallan assistant coach Spencer Mathieson said the side was still finding its footing, the Magpies were able to pull together to turn a first-half deficit into a 7.12 (54) to 5.11 (41) win amid windy and rainy conditions.
Romsey kicked with the breeze at its back in the first term and got three goals on the board to earn the ascendency.
Wallan was able to create chances of its own in the second quarter but kicked an errant 1.5 to trail by four points at the long break.
Mathieson said the team came out with renewed focus in the third quarter.
“We had to make sure we came out after half time with the same intent we had in the first quarter. We had a very good quarter in the first quarter going into the wind,” he said.
“I thought our third quarter was the best for the game. I think we won the quarter by 11 points kicking into the breeze.”
Of the 10 new faces in the Wallan side, Carlton VFL-listed big man Hayden Gill was a standout, dominating ruck contests and collecting plenty of possessions.
Gill meshed well with Wallan’s returning senior players, with reigning Bowen medalist Steve Boyall, half forward Sean Morris, emerging youngster Brodie Gilchrist and captain Michael Mannix all named among the team’s best.
Mathieson said the Magpies had plenty of scope for improvement after the encouraging win, while also paying tribute to their Romsey opponents.
“We’ve played a couple of practice matches and the more time we play together the better we’re getting. It will take time, but there were positive signs for sure,” he said.
“Romsey have improved. They’ve recruited some good players over the off-season, so they’re going to be in the mix for the top four as well.”
New Romsey coach Justin Sherman said a loss of composure in the third quarter that saw Romsey give away three 50-metre penalties cost the Redbacks.
“We felt like we probably had the upper hand in the first half and then a few undisciplined acts in the third quarter really cost us,” he said.
“When they got their tails up, we couldn’t stop the rot. It was unfortunate, but like I said to the boys after the game, it’s an easy fix.
“It’s not like we have to change anything within our game plan, it’s just about being disciplined and staying in the moment when things are going against you.”
Sherman said he was pleased with the effort from all of his players but singled out the performance of young defender Kane Brinkhuis, who held Wallan spearhead Matt Perri goalless.
“[Perri has] been a terrific forward in our competition for a long period of time and it was a really big match-up for Kane being an up-and-coming star for our team,” Sherman said.
“I thought he was sensational and he was certainly our best player. He killed every contest and gave us a lot of rebound out of the back 50, so all in all I thought he was terrific.”
Wallan will now turn its attention to a round two match against Melton Centrals, while Romsey has a bye. Lancefield will play its first match of the season this weekend in a road game against Woodend-Hesket.
