By Max Davies
WALLAN’S senior football premiership bid started with a flyer as it won a close seven-point match over Woodend-Hesket in Riddell District Football Netball League’s qualifying final on Saturday.
Facing off at Romsey Park, the two sides came into the finals equal on points for second and third on the ladder – the Magpies this time able to learn from previous encounters to quell the fast-starting Hawks, securing an important win and the right to play ladder leaders Diggers Rest this Saturday.
It was a successful weekend for Wallan football as a whole, as its Reserves team defeated Romsey while the under 19.5s defeated Woodend-Hesket – along with club’s women taking out the Northern Football Netball League division three premiership on Sunday.
Senior assistant coach Spencer Mathieson said Wallan’s strong early game against the Hawks was key to its qualifying final victory.
“We were a bit wary of Woodend’s starts, the last couple of times they’ve started really well against us, so we wanted to make sure that didn’t happen again,” he said.
Despite trailing by 26 points at half time, the Hawks came out firing after the long break, kicking a string of unanswered goals to take the lead.
However Wallan mounted a comeback, scoring the final two goals of the match to regain the lead in the dying minutes.
“It was a bit of a seesaw, but we expected that because it’s hard to keep a side quiet for all four quarters and we knew they’d have their time to get a bit of the footy and tip the scoreboard, which they did,” Mathieson said.
“In the end, we were able to save the last couple of goals to finish the game.”
Standing out among the team were Riley Gilchrist, Sean Morris and Corey Viani on the ball, while Todd Muldoon was lively in the forward line, Brody Gilchrist held down the Pies’ defence and half forward Jordan Port impressed with his consistent pressure.
Wallan will now look ahead to Saturday’s semi-final against Diggers Rest in Romsey – a compelling rematch following its defeat to the Burras in round 14.
“We know they’ve only lost one game this season, so they’re going to be tough but we’re pretty confident with the way we’re going and we’re getting better every week,” Mathieson said.
“We’re a young side with a lot of confidence. Diggers Rest, they’d better not take us lightly because we’re not going to take them lightly.
“We’re looking forward to the contest and just seeing if we can knock them off and cause an upset.”
In Sunday’s elimination final, underdogs Romsey sent Riddell out of the finals early in a hotly-contested match.
The two sides could barely be separated by more than five points for the entire match.
Redbacks coach Justin Sherman last week said the side would be looking to ‘embrace the opportunity’ to play finals footy after sneaking into the top five, and Sunday’s result may have already exceeded expectations.
Seven goalkickers contributed to Romsey’s 97-point total, headed by Nathan Rayment with three majors.
Leading league goalscorer Jack Jedwab added another two to his tally, while Benjamin Way, Corey Pertzel and Jaxson Kinnear were also listed among the best.
The Redbacks will travel to Woodend’s Gilbert Gordon Oval this Sunday to face the Hawks.
Saturday, September 2, at Romsey
Second semi-final
Football
Seniors: Diggers Rest v Wallan
Reserves: Diggers Rest v Wallan
Under 19.5: Gisborne Giants v Macedon
Netball
A Grade: Riddell v Woodend-Hesket
B Grade: Macedon v Diggers Rest
C Grade: Macedon v Riddell
Under 19: Western Rams v Riddell
Sunday, September 3, at Woodend
First semi-final
Football
Senior: Woodend-Hesket v Romsey
Reserves: Romsey v Woodend-Hesket
Under 19.5: Romsey v Wallan
Netball
A Grade: Macedon v Romsey
B Grade: Western Rams v Riddell
C Grade: Western Rams v Woodend-Hesket
Under 19: Melton Centrals v Wallan
