ROMSEY have showcased their intentions for the 2025 Riddell District Football Netball League (RDFNL) season, giving new coach Nathan Blair a first-up victory and showing a new-look Lancefield they still have plenty of work to do in front of a bumper crowd at Lancefield Park.
The 17.11 (113) to 7.3 (45) victory was set up thanks to an electric first quarter from the Redbacks, who kicked seven goals to one in the opening term to take a 37-point lead at the opening change, 44-7.
Lancefield, themselves under first-timer Ryan O’Meara, were keen to make inroads in search of a drought-breaking victory stretching back to 2023, and to their credit, rebounded strongly from their opening quarter to keep pace with the Redbacks throughout the second term.
Indeed, both teams kicked three goals each as the Redbacks took a 40-point lead at the main break, leading 66-26.
Romsey continued on their merry way in what was quite a physical game, with the Redbacks kicking four goals to two in the third term to increase the lead going into the final change, leading 91-38.
The Redbacks did what they needed to in the final term in adding a further three goals to one, giving Blair the perfect start to his coaching debut.
Samuel Wilson and Kane Brinkhaus provided plenty of drive for the Redbacks in their victory, while Jack Jedwab was the key goalkicker on the ground with four, with Nathan Rayment and Darcy Lockens adding three apiece.
Lancefield had some good moments and indeed were pretty competitive after quarter time in what was a positive sign.
Riley O’Meara kicked two goals, while Walter King, Darren Robinson and Leroy Ristevski were the better performers for the Tigers.
Romsey assistant coach Chris Wilson was pleased.
“It was a bit scratchy at first,” he said.
“But that’s to be expected. There was some exceptional kicking. To win away from home is always good, and against our rivals too.”
Netball
While the Tigers lowered their colours on the football field, it was better news on their new netball court, with the Tigers launching their new court in style with a dominant middle two quarters, helping them take a 13-goal win over the Redbacks.
Lancefield started strongly to open up a two-goal break on the Redbacks at the first change, scoring 12 goals to 10.
But the second term was where the Tigers really started to motor, and they added 16 goals to 11 to make it a seven-goal game at the main break, leading 28-21.
It was a similar story in the third term, where the Tigers again added 16 goals to 11 to essentially seal the game, leading 44-32 at the final change.
The Tigers cruised home from there, going goal-for-goal with the Redbacks in the final term to ensure they would take a 56-43 victory.
Shanae Brundell was the dominant goalscorer on the court, finishing with 41 goals from 54 shots, including all 16 in the Tigers’ second-quarter feast.
Tarnee Hammond scored eight goals, while Darcee Ellard added seven.
For Romsey, Charlize Bellette scored 34 goals, while Emma Grech added nine more for the afternoon.
Lancefield netball co-ordinator Kerry Hammond was thrilled with the day for her group.
“Everyone was really hyped to have the new facelift for the first game against our rivals, Romsey,” she said.
“Only our U19 lost (by three). All our teams were strong.”
Lancefield now head into the bye ahead of an ANZAC Day clash against Kyneton.
In the RDFNL’s second round, Wallan will kickstart their season with a football grand final rematch with Riddell at Greenhill Reserve, while Romsey will travel to Diggers Rest.
