ROUND one is officially in the books, with six more Riddell District Football Netball League (RDFNL) teams getting their seasons under way on Saturday, completing the split round to start the campaign off.
Romsey kicked away after half-time to record a five-goal victory over Lancefield at Romsey Park.
In cold, windy conditions, goals were at a premium in the first half, with just one goal kicked in the first quarter, and four in the second as Romsey held a four-point lead at the major break.
However, there were signs of life across the second half, with the Redbacks kicking three goals to one in the third term to lead by 16 points at three-quarter-time, before four goals to three in the last meant Romsey took a 29-point victory, 10.13 (73) to 6.8 (44).
Nathan Rayment was the difference between the two teams, kicking four goals. He was easily best on ground for Nathan Blair’s men, while Corey Pertzel, Matthew Milburn, Judd Rademaker, Jack Jedwab and Darcy Peavey were also named in Romsey’s best.
Jordan Watkins, Walter King, Riley O’Meara, Thomas Indian, Anthony Pacers and Tyreese Sefer-Govender were named in Lancefield’s best.
Wallan rolled out the red carpet for a number of new and returning players at Greenhill Reserve on Saturday, and the Magpies were rewarded with a strong 71-point win over Melton Centrals.
The Magpies couldn’t have asked for a better start with two goals in the opening two minutes en route to taking a 24-point lead at the first change.
In among everything was Lachlan Smart, who kicked four opening-half goals to ensure the Magpies would have a big lead at the main break, leading 59-22.
Wallan continued to dominate in the second half and had far too many goalscoring options for last year’s wooden spooners to handle.
Nine separate goalkickers got in among the action as the Magpies extended their lead to 56 points at the final change, before easing home to win 16.12 (108) to 4.13 (37).
Benjamin Dessent was Wallan’s best player, with Dion Hill, Sean Morris, Steven Boyall, Owen Fowler and five-goal man Smart also named in the best.
It was also go time for the RDFNL’s netball competition for 2026, with Lancefield and Wallan scoring wins.
Lancefield got the jump on Romsey in the first quarter, opening up a 16-6 lead, and after Romsey tried to challenge for two quarters, the Tigers simply had all the answers.
A 28-17 half-time lead became a 17-goal lead at the final change after the Tigers scored 12 goals to six, and it became a blowout when the Tigers added 16 goals to seven in the final stanza to win 56-30.
Shanae Brundell was dominant for the Tigers, scoring 32 goals, while Tarnee Hammond added 13 and Lilli Florance 11.
For Romsey, Savannah Forbes and Emma Grech added 12 goals apiece.
Meantime, Wallan dominated after quarter-time to take care of Melton Centrals by 18 goals.
The Magpies trailed at the first change after Melton Centrals got the jump, scoring 11 goals to 14, but it was the second quarter where the Magpies really started to take control, scoring 14 goals to seven to lead 25-21 at the main break.
Maeve Donegan was too much of a handful for Centrals’ defenders as the Magpies scored 18 goals to 12 to extend the lead to 10 goals by the final change, before adding another 16 goals to eight to finish up 59-41 winners.
Donegan finished with 52 goals in what was a dominant performance in the Magpies’ goal circle.
This week Lancefield hosts Macedon, while Wallan and Romsey make road trips to Woodend-Hesket and Gisborne Giants respectively.
