RDFL 2018: Rupertswood ready for another crack at glory in RDFL finals

RUPERTSWOOD coach Nick Ash has been asked a few times how last year’s grand final loss will impact the club’s next tilt at glory. We’re about to find out.

THE question has been posed to Rupertswood coach Nick Ash a few times this year.

How will the Sharks’ 2017 grand final loss impact their preparations for another tilt at glory?

Ash was in the coaches’ box, albeit as an assistant, when Rupertswood went down by 13 points to Macedon in last year’s decider.

Whenever questions about that day have been posed this year, he has been unequivocal in his response.

“With the new players and new game plan, everything has changed from last year,” Ash said. “Last year was what it is and you can’t change the past.”

Ash said it was difficult to determine whether the Sharks were better placed heading into this year’s finals series to claim the ultimate prize.

As they have this season, they achieved a top-two finish in 2017 and their sides from the past two years are statistically evenly-matched.

Last year, Rupertswood conceded an average of 44 points during the home-and-away season and scored 121 points per game. In 2018, it has averaged 110 points for and 45 against.

Ash said greater depth was one advantage his side had this year after navigating injuries throughout the campaign.

Rupertswood and Macedon have both qualified for RDFL finals. Picture: Rob Leeson.

“I think we have played over 40 players this year, so we have given a lot more blokes an opportunity to play senior football,” he said.

“We know we have got the depth there and we are not bringing in blokes who haven’t played senior footy at all this year.”

The contender has closely managed injuries to key personnel throughout the second half of 2018, with Brent Swallow (broken finger), Brett Chambers (broken arm) and Dean Putt (quad) among those to miss games during the run home.

Swallow returned against Lancefield in Round 14, while Chambers has not played since Round 9 because of a broken arm and Dean Putt (quad) last featured in Round 7.

Rupertswood will face Riddell in a qualifying final this weekend after a 40-point win over Wallan on Saturday.

“The boys have come back with the mindset since the start of pre-season that we need to work harder and do all the little things right … to try and make amends,” Ash said.

Diggers Rest finished third after an 80-point win over Melton Centrals, Romsey reclaimed sixth spot with a 119-point victory against Broadford and Woodend-Hesket missed out on a top-six finish after a 67-point defeat to Riddell.

RDFL FINALS WEEK ONE

Qualifying final — Saturday at Romsey Park

Rupertswood v Riddell

Elimination final — Sunday at Clarke Oval, Sunbury

Diggers Rest v Romsey

Elimination final — Sunday at Romsey Park

Wallan v Macedon