Round 15 saw Romsey and Lancefield clash for the final time this season on a muddy oval with icy rain bands forcing the field to step up or step off.
Romsey showcased its intentions to compete in the 2025 Riddell District Football Netball League (RDFNL) finals and Lancefield had plenty of work to do in front of a loyal crowd at Romsey Park.
The 7.10 (52) to 2.9 (21) victory was set up thanks to an electric first quarter from the Redbacks, who kicked four goals to none in the opening term to take a 28-point lead at the opening change.
Lancefield however kicked the opening two goals of the second quarter causing Romsey some concern, however the Redbacks had a convincing 21-point lead at the main break, leading 36-15.
Romsey continued on its merry way in what was quite a physical game with champagne slides across wings and courageous marking. Despite the sleet, the Redbacks kicked two goals to none in the third term to increase their lead going into the final change, 51-15.
The Redbacks did what they needed to in the final term when the Tigers contained the ball in their forward line for six consecutive behinds to Romsey’s one after the final siren.
Ayden Tessari and Liam Muir were named among coach Chris Wilsons best players for tactics in defence.
Samuel Wilson provided plenty of drive for the Redbacks in their victory, and when Matt Burkett cleared the interchange bench, he joined the cause.
Nathan Rayment and Jack Jedwab were the key goalkickers on the ground with two each while Burkett, Charlie Jedwab and Wilson added one apiece.
Lancefield had plenty of grunt and were indeed pretty competitive in the second and final quarter keeping their fans in the game.
Tom Jackson and Thomas Sayers kicked one goal each, while Walter King, Reuben Schembri, Riley O’Meara, Leroy Ristevski, Corey Reid and Zachary O’Halloran were the better performers for the Tigers.
Later in the day the Lancefield Women’s team defeated Romsey, 0.3 (3) to 4.3 (27).
NETBALL
ARCTIC BLAST: The first time coaching break improved Wallan’s outcome on Saturday.
It was fantastic news on the court when Lancefield defeated Romsey, taking a 25-point victory, 33-58.
The Gisborne Giants played hard to get with their 9-point win over Kyneton, 30-39 and Melton South had a bye.
Riddell defeated Melton Centrals by a tidy point, 41-42.
While Wallan is missing 2024 NFNL best and fairest Dakota Lister since she injured her ACL in round 5 against Macedon, they defeated Macedon, also by a point, 36-35.
THE MAGIC IN THE MIDDLE: Wallan’s Genevieve Carboon took centre stage on Saturday.
Woodend Hesket defeated Diggers Rest by 31 points, 31-62 and finished the round on top of the ladder with Riddell in second place, and the Giants in third.
The march towards the finals campaign continues next week when Wallan plays away against Diggers Rest and Melton Centrals travel to Kyneton for a chance to climb the ladder.
The top sides, Woodend Hesket and Riddell compete at Gilbert Gordan Reserve and bottom side, Melton South will host Lancefield.
Round 16 in the Northern Football Netball League (NFNL) saw Kilmore play away against the Fitzroy Stars at Sir Doug Nicholls Reserve in Thornbury on Saturday.
The Blues were defeated when the Stars who held the boys to account with a 59-point victory, 11.15 (81) to 3.4 (22).
Kyle Wheatley put three goals away and Ralph Bamblett and Elijah Taylor kicked two apiece. There were singles from Johoro Harvey-Connellan, Neville Jetta, Kain Proctor and Raman Winmar.
The club is on top of the ladder and Kilmore sits in fifth place.
Benjamin Barton, William Bowshall-Tanner and Liam Monaghan each scored goals for the Blues, two in the first quarter and one in the last.
The women’s team had a bye yet still travelled to see their future rivals play Lower Plenty.
They are hopeful to take their second win over Fitzroy Stars when they play at JJ Clancy Reserve next week.
Back to the men’s, Laurimar deserve second place on the ladder after finishing 80-points in front of the Old Eltham Collegians, 20.7 (127) to 7.5 (47).
Epping finished in front of Ivanhoe by 62-points, 6.9 (45) to 15.17 (107).
At Crispe Park, Reservoir defeated Lalor by 14-points, 10.10 (70) to 7.14 (56).
Kinglake played another great game against Mernda and may be final contenders after their 27-point win, 5.7 (37) to 9.10 (64)
Next week, round 17, Kilmore lace up to play Heidelberg West which is fresh from a bye, while Mernda, Laurimar and the Old Collegians rest.
Fitzroy Stars host Epping and Ivanhoe play Reservoir at Ivanhoe Park.
Lalor and Kinglake meet for another round which may indeed be Lalor’s last this season.
GVFL
Seymour may have had its finals chances all-but snuffed out due to results which went against the Lions with three games to play, but its victory on Saturday against Euroa was certainly one to be remembered.
Heavy rain pelted Kings Park throughout the majority of the afternoon, turning the game into a boggy, difficult affair.
The Lions dominated the first quarter, kicking goals through Cameron Osmond and Dylan Davis to hold a 15-point lead at the first change.
Euroa fashioned up a response to start the second term, but it appeared the Lions had all the answers when Nathan Beattie goaled to restore a two-goal cushion.
Remarkably, this would be the last goal of the afternoon for the Lions.
They held a 13-point lead at the main break, but as conditions continued to deteriorate, scoring became much harder in the second half.
Euroa would add one goal in the third to close the gap to seven points at the final change, before adding another in the last term to level the scores.
Seymour was able to add two late points to score a 3.8 (26) to 3.6 (24) victory.
In tricky conditions, Ben Cooney stood tall, while Lachlan Giles, Nathan Fowler, Beattie and Jack Murphy were also named in the best.
