In-form Riddell inflicts Macedon’s first defeat of the RDFL season

RIDDELL became the first team to knock off Macedon this season as it stormed to a fifth-straight win in the RDFL on Saturday.

Riddell’s Daniel Jurczyluc marks on Saturday. Picture: Andy Brownbill

RIDDELL became the first team to knock off Macedon this season as it stormed to a fifth-straight win in the Riddell District Football League on Saturday.

The Bombers were batt­ling at the main break, but overran the Cats in the second half to triumph 14.10 (94) to 11.7 (73) in heavy conditions at Tony Clarke Reserve.

Riddell’s Brian Ruffell on his way to eight goals on Saturday. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The home side led by 17 points at halftime, having been on top of the midfield battle during the opening two quarters.

But once Cats ruckman Thomas Waters left the ground due to injury, Riddell big man Brayden Allen dominated the rest of the afternoon, giving his midfielders first use of the ball.

“We were up against it at halftime, but the boys came out and played some pretty good footy after that,” Riddell coach Jamie Elliott said.

“(Waters) and Brayden Allen were having a great duel in the middle and when he went down we dominated through the ruck and we got on top that way.

“We had to pull our finger out a little bit but we started to play a little quicker through the middle and we started to win the footy a fair bit. They had a couple of injuries, too, which helped us because they couldn’t rotate as much.”

Nathan Croft was named best afield in his fourth senior game, kicking two goals from the half-forward flank.

The 16-year-old is still eligible for under-16s this year.

“He did a terrific job,” Elliott said.

“He’s a kid that hopefully we won’t see a lot more of after this year. He’ll go a lot further, no doubt. His football nous is as good as I’ve seen from a kid his age.”

Brian Ruffell booted eight goals to take his season tally to 48 majors, including 22 from his past three outings.

Elliott said while his side still had improvement left, its form over the past month had been pleasing.

“We’ve turned the list over a fair bit and we’re playing all the young kids and it’s starting to click,” he said.

“It’s still only in patches but if we can get them all to play well on the one day, we’ll be pretty hard to beat.”

Elsewhere on Saturday, Rupertswood hammered Melton Centrals by 103 points, Sunbury Kangaroos downed Lancefield by 37 points, Broadford took down Woodend Hesket by 20 points, Diggers Rest overcame Wallan by 21 points and Romsey thumped Rockbank by 167 points.