By Max Davies
DESPITE a day of celebration for Lancefield Football Club as it commemorated its 150th anniversary, the senior footballers came up short in a hard-fought match against their historic rivals Romsey.
The Tigers, in their maroon with light blue sash guernseys that represented the club’s original jumper in 1888, hosted the Redbacks in the Riddell District Football Netball League round seven clash.
The match ended in a 62-point victory to the visitors.
Lancefield held the advantage at the end of the first quarter, but a series of key injuries early in the match meant the Tigers faded out in a 96 to 62 margin.
Young gun Tiger Zach Webb’s match ended early in the first quarter with broken ribs, while Callan Randall was nursing a corky and Nathan Malone – who has suffered concussion in the past – again took a hit during Saturday’s match, casting doubt over his football future.
Lancefield coach Tim Bannon said despite the difficulties, he was optimistic about his team’s trajectory for the season as they showed strong signs of improvement.
“We pretty much only had 17 fit men by halfway through the third quarter and that made it really tough, not making that an excuse as to why we lost but I think we played some really good footy,” he said.
“Obviously it was a pretty big day for the club with the 150th book launch and we had a huge crowd there so it would have been nice to get a win, but the boys’ efforts from where we’ve come from to where we are now have been pretty good.”
Bannon was encouraged by the Tigers’ improved forward entry during the match, as the team was quick to adapt and were able to consistently attack into the forward 50 – contributing to one of its highest-scoring first quarters so far this season.
Bannon said Lancefield’s efforts were supported by multiple strong individual performances, including first-gamer Darcy Giles who kicked a goal and was one of the Tigers’ ‘top three players for the game’.
“Nick Simpson has been playing as a lockdown backline player and we decided to get some more depth into our midfield, so we ran him through and I thought he was exceptional … he does the stuff you want as a senior footballer and as a coach,” he said.
“He was brilliant, he added that little bit of extra class in the mid and he can play a lockdown role there too. Lachlan Giles off halfback was really good as well, so there’s some really good signs going forward.”
The Tigers will travel to face reigning premiers Riddell for round eight this weekend, with Bannon expecting a ‘tough game’ but an opportunity for the side to learn and improve.
In other Riddell League games, Wallan lost at home against Diggers Rest in a top-of-the-ladder clash, while Woodend-Hesket had the better of Macedon in an away victory for the Hawks.
Melton Centrals were the only team to win at home on the weekend, edging out Riddell by one point to secure its second victory for the season.
Netball
Lancefield’s A grade netballers remain winless for the 2023 season as they were comprehensively beaten by Romsey in a difficult game at home.
Sporting buttercup yellow dresses in recognition of the club’s first netball teams in the 1960s, Lancefield were no match for Romsey as the Redbacks recorded their first win of the season, 75-29, to move above Diggers Rest on the A grade ladder.
A strong unified game by Romsey was more than enough to account for the Tigers, with Redback goaler Uneeq Palavi leading the way with 58 goals.
Palavi also plays in the Victorian Netball League with City West Falcons, and has previously represented Tonga, her father’s home country.
She is also on the Collingwood Magpies’ list in Suncorp Super Netball.
In other Riddell League action, Wallan hosted Diggers Rest and were able to secure a 10-goal victory to move into third on the ladder and match Macedon, Riddell and Woodend-Hesket with five wins apiece.
Riddell took the win over sixth-placed Melton Centrals by one goal in a closely contested match, while Woodend-Hesket won over Macedon in a 42-29 away victory.
In this weekend’s matches, Riddell host Lancefield, Wallan is at home against Woodend-Hesket while Macedon travels to Rockbank to play the Western Rams, and Romsey is set to host Diggers Rest.
Celebration
Lancefield Football Netball Club celebrated its 150th anniversary on the weekend, with a book launch and throwback uniforms featuring as part of celebrations.
The book was put together through a collaboration between the club, the Romsey and Lancefield Districts Historical Society, and local media to document the club’s past in detail. The book is available at lancefieldfnc.com.au.
