WALLAN is maintaining the rage in the Riddell District Football Netball League and have closed the gap on the top two to just one game after securing a big win over Lancefield.
The Magpies are making its move as the main challenger to Diggers Rest and Riddell, sitting in third position with a month of the home-and-away season remaining.
Despite a little quarter time scare, the Magpies kicked 20 goals to four in the remaining three terms to sweep aside Lancefield’s challenge.
Lancefield, which were still on a high following its drought-breaking victory over Gisborne Giants the week before, kicked five goals to two in the opening term to open up a 31-16 lead.
But Wallan started to take control around the ground in the second term and looked to sully the Tigers’ hopes of an upset triumph, kicking six goals to two for the term to lead 57-44 at the main break.
The Magpies continued to dominate affairs after the main break as its experience was telling, kicking another six goals to two for the quarter to take control of the match, leading 96-56 at the final change.
Wallan was dominant in the final term and perhaps could have won by more had they kicked a little straighter in front of goal, kicking eight goals from 16 scoring shots.
Irrespective of that, the Magpies will take great confidence into what will be a gigantic three weeks against finals contenders in Macedon, Riddell and Diggers Rest, scoring a 22.20 (152) to 9.4 (58) victory.
Riley Gilchrist and Nash King were in the thick of everything for the Magpies, as was Sean Morris, while Matthew Perri kicked six goals to lead the charge. Brodie Gilchrist and Victor Micallef completed the best players for Wallan.
For Lancefield, Riley O’Meara, Noah Smallacombe, Leroy Ristevski, Jerome Ristevski, Walter King and Thomas Sayers were named in the Tigers’ best players, with Sayers and Tom Jackson kicking three goals apiece.
Romsey’s hopes of securing a spot in the top six took a significant boost with a dogged victory over Melton South.
Three goals to two in the first term meant the Redbacks were able to hold a 20-15 lead in the opening term, but it was the second quarter where Romsey made its big move, kicking the final three goals of the half to lead 47-37 at the main break.
Melton South wasn’t done with business yet and made its own move to give Romsey some significant nerves, kicking two goals to one to make the margin just three points at the final change, with the Redbacks leading 55-52.
However, Romsey finished with all the running, kicking the only two goals in what was a clutch final term to keep its season alive, taking a 10.9 (69) to 7.13 (55) victory.
Jack Jedwab continued his big season with four goals, and together with Nathan Rayment, were key to the Redbacks’ success. Matt Burkett, Joseph Stapleton, Corey Pertzel and Ethan Beer were also named in the best for Romsey, as the Redbacks now look ahead to a big clash with local rivals Lancefield.
In the netball competition, Wallan is continuing to firm for a miraculous finals berth after disposing of Lancefield by 13 goals, 50-37.
It was the second quarter that was key for the Magpies, scoring 16 goals to seven to steal a march, before controlling the pace of play throughout the second half.
Romsey put together their most dominant performance of the season, scoring 91 goals to defeat Melton South by 59 goals.
Charlize Bellette was utterly dominant, scoring 81 of the Redbacks’ 91 goals.
In the Goulburn Valley Football League, Seymour missed a golden opportunity to keep in touch with its rivals in the top six, and now need a miracle to make finals, with inaccuracy costing the Lions at Kings Park on Saturday against Mansfield.
The Lions were off to a great start as they kicked five goals to two in the opening quarter to lead 34-13 at the opening break.
However, Mansfield made the most of all their opportunities in the second term, kicking seven goals, while the same could not be said of the Lions, who kicked 1.6, meaning that it was Mansfield who led 55-46 at the main break.
It was a similar story in the third term. Mansfield kicked four goals from five shots at goal, whereas the Lions, for all its opportunities, just weren’t taking advantage and it meant that Mansfield continued to increase its lead at the final change, leading 80-63.
Seymour ran out of steam in the final term, as Mansfield ran riot, kicking seven goals to three to end the Lions’ challenge, winning 20.4 (124) to 11.19 (85).
For the Lions, Cooper Holdsworth-Rose, James Wooster, Nathan Beattie, Jack Murphy and Lachlan Giles all played their role, while Cameron Osmond kicked three goals.