Dean Galea boots eight goals as Riddell holds off Macedon in nail-biter

Legendary goalkicker Dean Galea reached the 1200-goal mark with an eight-goal haul, inspiring Riddell to a nail-biting win over Macedon.

Dean Galea in action for Riddell. Picture: Josh Chadwick

Dean Galea brought up a major goalkicking milestone on Saturday.

The legendary forward kicked his 1200 career goal as Riddell edged Macedon by five points at Riddell’s Creek Reserve.

Galea finished with a season-high bag of eight majors, taking him to 1205 in 352 matches, averaging an extraordinary 3.4 goals per game.

A two-time Jim “Frosty” Miller Medallist and VFL premiership-winner at Port Melbourne, Galea has been an ever-present danger throughout a storied career.

He now looks set to add a RDFNL goalkicking medal to his trophy-laden resume, leading the league with 39 majors.

Dean Galea celebrates a goal for Riddell. Picture: Josh Chadwick

Riddell coach Arron Bray couldn’t speak highly enough of his spearhead after the 11.6 (72) to 10.7 (67) victory.

“He was really good, I think he kicked eight straight too,” Bray said.

“It was always going to be a case for Dean when he was going to crack it and (Saturday) was one of those days.

“He was really good with his contest work, his second efforts and that sort of stuff.

“His third took him to 1200 career goals as well, which is a big achievement.

“It’s not like he’s kicked 1200 at Riddell level, he’s kicked 99 per cent of them at high levels.”

In a nail-biting clash, Riddell was pushed to the limit by a young Macedon outfit.

The Cats had led all day in a tight arm-wrestle, searching for a win that would have cemented a top-five spot.

Riddell coach Arron Bray watches on. Picture: Josh Chadwick

The Bombers trailed by 13 points late in the third quarter before two Galea goals made it a one-point ball game at the final change.

Galea then made it four in a row early in the fourth to put the hosts in charge and a Jacob Chahine major extended the margin to 11 points.

The Cats got one back late to make for a nervy finish but couldn’t find the winning goal.

“They’re a good side, really well coached and they structure up well,” Bray said.

“They’ve got a good young list so we knew it was going to be a tough gig.

“We just had to stick to our process and our structures, we know what works for us and if we don’t go away from it sooner or later it will hold us in good stead.

“We made a few little changes, put blokes in different areas, and it paid off.”

Galea was named best-on-ground, while Cal Williamson, skipper Josh Grabham and Matt Panuccio also impressed.

Riddell was without leading players Brent Swallow and Dylan Podolczak, who could return for Saturday’s blockbuster top-of-the-table clash against reigning premier Diggers Rest.

The Bombers are looking to reserve an eight-point loss to the Burras earlier in the season and potentially go two games clear on top.

“We’ve got a big game this week, obviously, Diggers at home,” Bray said.

“They’re in good form, so we’ve got to set ourselves for this one and try to even the ledger.

“It will be a good test but sitting a game and percentage clear helps as well.

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“We’ve got a bye, then Lancefield and then finals (to finish), so it could work both ways but I’m keen to just put training load into them and rest the bodies up so there’s no excuses.”

For Macedon, Ed Ferguson was best afield and Hamish Govan, Jacob Gough and Dylan McDonald also stood tall.

The Cats remain in fifth on percentage, level on points with Kyneton.

The Tigers were too good for Melton Centrals in a 45-point win, Diggers Rest eased past Lancefield by 76 points and Wallan defeated Woodend-Hesket by 38.