THE Riddell District Football Netball League finals got underway on the weekend, with three shock results setting the finals race upside down.
With Riddell dismantling minor premier Diggers Rest by 83 points on Saturday, all eyes were on Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve on Sunday with third-placed Wallan taking on sixth-placed Kyneton.
The form of both teams differed coming into this elimination final clash, with Wallan in arguably the best form of any of the finalists thanks to wins over Gisborne Giants and Diggers Rest in the final two games, while Kyneton got through on percentage despite a final-round loss to Melton South.
Early on, the footy stayed true to the script.
Wallan shot out of the blocks, with Chris Stewart taking a big mark on the goalline, and converting, before a great snapping goal from Corey Viani really got the Magpies going. Further goals from Harley Short and Jake Layley meant Wallan was leading by 26 points before one could blink.
At times, it appeared Kyneton were blinded by the finals’ lights, making needless turnovers in the corridor which allowed Wallan to run in waves. Another goal to Brodie Gilchrist meant that Wallan enjoyed a game high 27-point lead.
Wallan led 34-8 at the first change, but the game seemed to shift a different gear after a quarter time melee sparked the Tigers.
The second term went completely off-kilter for the Magpies as they suddenly, and unexpectedly, lost their structure. After being hesitant to attack the corridor in the opening term, the Tigers suddenly blossomed and had free men in the middle of the ground at just about every opportunity.
A bit of ill-discipline also crept into the game. None of this was more evident when a downfield free kick to Gilchrist was overturned after he retaliated in frustration, costing the Magpies a chance of a set shot.
With four goals to nil in the second term, Kyneton roared back into the game, with scores level at 36-apiece going into the long break.
With the season suddenly on the line, Wallan desperately needed a good start to the third quarter, and it got it with Victor Micallef snapping a class goal.
However, this was as good as it got for the Magpies throughout the term, as Kyneton again carried its momentum with a fierce crowd backing it all the way.
At times, it seemed the Magpies were simply bereft of ideas, going down the line and not being able to use the corridor, where Kyneton had men ready to intercept if they dared.
Injury did not help the cause. The Magpies were losing men at a rate of knots, with Stewart essentially hobbled at full-forward, while they badly missed Cameron Cloke.
Regardless, Jake Carlisle was doing his bit to keep the Magpies in the game, kicking a goal to reduce the margin to four points. Max Russell also managed a major, but Kyneton seemed to have all the answers as it turned for home 10 points to the good, 65-55.
The danger signs for Wallan turned to life support early in the last term as Kyneton kicked the first goal, extending its lead to 16 points.
Thankfully for the Magpies, Carlisle put on his Superman cape and single-handedly brought the Magpies back into the game.
Carlisle firstly set up Nash King with a goal to reduce the margin, before Micallef kicked his second to bring the margin back to within a kick.
The big man then took another big contested mark and converted, and suddenly, Wallan were in front.
Unfortunately for the Magpies, this burst, despite getting them in front, was also the remaining energy they could give, as Kyneton found another gear to kick a crucial goal to hit the front, before a spectacular mark and goal ended the game, and Wallan’s season with it, with the Tigers victorious, 12.15 (87) to 11.9 (75).
Despite the loss, Carlisle could hold his head up high with a brilliant performance in the ruck and up forward, while Viani provided plenty of highlights. Patrick Mahoney, Short, Sean Morris and Shaun Stewart were also named in the best.
Four teams now remain, with Melton South joining Wallan in being eliminated by Macedon.