AN undefeated season culminated in silverware for the Wallan Magpies reserves, with the side claiming victory against the Romsey Redbacks on Saturday afternoon at Romsey Park.
For the Magpies, it was a triumph months in the making. Pre-season began back in November under coach Matt Bell, who returned hungrier than ever after last year’s near miss.
The Magpies’ hard work paid off with a flawless 16–0 home-and-away record, and it carried that momentum through finals, beating second-placed Diggers Rest in the qualifying final, 50-24, and edging Romsey in a semi-final thriller, 45-43, to book its ticket to the decider.
From the opening bounce in Saturday’s clash, Wallan meant business. The Magpies hit the scoreboard within the opening minutes before a 10-minute dry spell, or rather a tough contest, kept the Magpies from finding their second. Romsey quickly responded, with the score a manageable 15-6 heading into the first change.
The determination to disallow neither side to score continued in the second term, with pressure and defensive pressure on full display. However, it was the Magpies once again who were the stronger side and were able to score another two goals to the Redbacks’ one to push their margin out 28-12 into the main break.
Into the third quarter and the tug-of-war continued. It took 16 minutes for the ball to find the sticks, with Wallan scoring the first major of the term. Just seconds later, Romsey responded to keep the margin to 16 points into the final change, while Wallan had led the entire match, Romsey was adamant it was still in it.
Missed opportunities though from both sides saw neither team convert any majors, as both sides only managed to add two behinds each to their totals as the clock ran down, with the final scores 5.6 (36) to 3.2 (20).
For Wallan, triumph. Deserved after its stellar season and redemption from the 2023 38-point grand final loss.
For Romsey, heartbreak. All too familiar with the feeling of grand final defeat, having lost to Diggers Rest just 12 months ago, again on its home ground.
Wallan’s goals were shared by Jake Layley, three, and John Bellino, two, while Taylor Boorman, Nathan Hoy and Charlie Jedwab each scored for Romsey.
Blaide Dickson was awarded the coveted Tom Sankey Best on Ground Medal, while Layley, Jordan Roberts, Kale Frost, Joshua Anderson and Jett Kennedy were named among the club’s best performers on the day.
Nathan Stevens, Kane Brinkhuis, William Di Pietro, Jedwab, Mitchell Adamson and Aaron Paterson were named Romsey’s best.
