AS the sun set over Lancefield Park, supporters got their first look at women’s footy in the Riddell District Football Netball League (RDFNL) for the 2026 season as Lancefield took on Macedon.
The Tigers weren’t able to capitalise on their early momentum and Macedon pounced to kick two goals late in the quarter.
Valiant defensive efforts from Esme Keen and slick ball movement from young gun Alice Bromley kept the Tigers in the game, but the half time score showed a 26-point deficit, and it stretched to 32 by three-quarter-time.
Alice snagged the only goal of the last quarter but it wasn’t enough to catch the Cats who took the win 40-12.
Caitriona Goldsworthy was the best for the Tigers, and she was joined by Alice, Luzanne de Kock, Keen, Harmony Cassar, Bethany Lyons and Kloe Soper with standout performances against the reigning premiers.
Earlier in the day, Lancefield’s men took on Macedon in what turned out to be a tough day for the Tigers.
Coming off a loss to Romsey in their opening match, the seniors were keen to prove they wouldn’t be easy beats for the premiership-contending Cats.
Kicking with the breeze, it was the visitors who got the score rolling early with the first two majors.
Lancefield hit back with two of their own to square things up midway through the quarter, and a late goal meant they held a one-point lead at quarter-time.
It became an uphill battle for the home side, and kicking with the wind did not prove to be as decisive when it was the Tigers’ turn again in the third quarter.
Macedon kicked six goals to three to push the lead to 52 after three quarters of play.
In the last, Macedon’s Blake Watson and captain Hamish Govan continued to cut through the Lancefield defense, who after relentless pressure from the visitors had begun to tire.
Macedon kicked the last nine goals of the match to run out 94-point winners.
Thomas Sayers did his part up forward kicking four majors, while Max Taylor chipped in with two, and Hunter Jenkins added another.
Sayers and Taylor were named in the Tigers’ best, alongside Riley Omeara Walter King, Jordan Watkins and Tully Fattore.
Across the league, Romsey travelled to Gisborne to take on the Giants in what was a forgettable day for the club.
Jack Jedwab kicked five for the senior Redbacks squad but there was little else for them to celebrate, going down by 65 points.
The reserves didn’t fare any better, going down 112-6, and the under 19.5 side struggled to a 102-point loss.
News was better for the Wallan seniors who held off Woodend-Hesket in a high-scoring affair.
Buoyed by the return of ex-AFL player Jake Carlisle, Wallan led at every break to come out winners 115-93 at Gilbert Gordon Reserve.
Carlisle featured among the best, but it was Corey Viani who stole the show, kicking two and being named best on field.
On the netball court, Lancefield’s A-grade team had to come from behind to take down a valiant Macedon side 39-35.
Down by two after the first period, Macedon strung together multiple scoring possessions in a row to take a lead of four goals at the midway point, and remained in front by a couple of shots heading into the last.
A 13-7 final quarter led by sharpshooter Shanae Brundell and goal attack Lilli Florance ensured a gritty victory for the Tigers who now move to 2-0.
Earlier in the day, Tarnee Hammond put up 50 goals to help the B-grade side take the win 59-45, and D-grade also got the job done by 12. The 19 and under side won 41-24, while C-grade fell by 12 goals.
Elsewhere, Wallan made the most of its trip to Woodend, winning comfortably in both A and B-grade.
Romsey had a tougher time against Gisborne Giants, with only the B-grade side getting a win thanks to a 45-goal performance from Maddison Thompson.
This week’s Anzac Day games see Wallan hosting Melton South, while Lancefield take on fellow Tigers Kyneton with the senior football to be played under the lights at Lancefield Park. Lancefield’s women head to Harcourt to take on Mount Alexander on Saturday as well. Romsey has a bye.
