WHILE Wallan is still reeling from the early exit from the senior men’s finals of the Riddell District Football Netball League competition, there is still some positive news for the Magpies as they will be represented in the league’s football grand finals in the reserves competition.
The Magpies also confirmed on their social media channels on Thursday that senior men’s coach Daniel Nolan will perform his duties for one final year in 2026, before a succession plan is implemented for 2027.
“’Nugget’ formulated a proposal, which has been approved and accepted by the committee for next year to be his final year as football senior coach. He will assist the club with a transition and succession plan for 2027. This allows for a strong strategic plan for the club’s future,” Wallan’s statement read.
The good news continued for the club on Saturday, with Wallan surviving a fierce Romsey comeback in the reserves competition at Romsey Park to continue its unbeaten run and book its spot in the grand final in two weeks’ time.
After conceding the first goal, Wallan was well and truly in the contest by kicking three goals in five minutes, with Kobey Christall, Alexander Crawford and Daniel Perkins ensuring the Magpies would take a 13-point quarter time lead, 19-6.
The Magpies continued on their way in the second quarter, with Blaide Dickson extending the lead to 20 points, but Romsey, with the wind, would soon find itself back into the contest, kicking two goals to trail by five points at the long break, 21-26.
Wallan needed a good quarter with the wind, and got it with three goals through Alex Tomsky, Christall and Jake Layley giving the Magpies a game-high 23-point lead at the final change, 44-21.
With the wind in the final term, Romsey threw everything at the cause, but despite this, the Redbacks’ charge was too late, with two late goals closing the margin to two points by the end, with Wallan winning 7.3 (45) to 6.7 (43).
Jesse Nelson, Christall, Tomsky, Jordan Roberts, Riley Evans and Layley were all in the best for Wallan, while Matthew Hoy, Kane Brinkhuis, Nathan Tessari, Aaron Paterson, Chris Petroro and Kayne Murphy were all in the best for Romsey.
Romsey will now have to beat Riddell in the preliminary final to earn another crack at the Magpies.
After finishing on top of the ladder, Romsey were bundled out of the under 19.5 finals in straight sets, losing to Kyneton by 23 points on Sunday.
Wallan also booked a spot in the 19 and under netball grand final, scoring a good win over Gisborne Giants, 25-13.
On Sunday, Wallan threw everything at the cause in both A grade and C grade against Riddell but fell desperately short of securing a preliminary final berth in both grades.
The Magpies fell three goals short in the C grade competition, losing 26-23, while the A grade was closer to snaring a preliminary final berth, losing in heartbreaking fashion by just one goal, 46-45.
There was better news for Lancefield in B grade, winning its first semi-final against Melton Centrals 56-51 to book a preliminary final berth with Romsey, who will need to rebound after a 42-56 loss to Riddell in the second semi-final.
The Redbacks were successful in their 19 and under semi-final, staying alive with a 40-29 win over Riddell.
