RDFL 2018: Wallan coach Daniel Nolan desperate to end finals drought after re-signing for two years

DANIEL Nolan reels off the statistics about Wallan’s finals droughts like a coach who has heard them all too often.

Wallan coach Daniel Nolan has re-signed for two years. Picture: Hamish Blair

DANIEL Nolan reels off the statistics like a coach who has heard them all too often.

The Wallan mentor is acutely aware it has been 17 years since his club won a final and 26 seasons since they claimed a premiership.

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The Riddell District Football League was a two-tiered competition when the Magpies secured the Division 2 flag in 1992, when clubs such as Melton South, Craigieburn and Darley were still in the RDFL.

“We have had a 17-year drought with winning a final but then even longer since that premiership drought,” Nolan said.

“That’s something we can build toward. I think there’s now belief among the group that we can compete with the best teams.”

Wallan coach Daniel Nolan has re-signed for two years. Picture: Hamish Blair

Sensing the club is on the cusp of long-awaited success, Nolan has recommitted as coach for the next two seasons.

“It was an aim last year when we missed out to make finals and over the next few years we can really consolidate,” he said.

The Magpies are perfectly placed to have at least two opportunities to end their run of finals defeats, sitting on top of the ladder and two games ahead of fourth after 10 rounds.

Fuelled by its near-miss last year, when it slumped from fourth to seventh in the last round and missed out on finals, Wallan is determined not to make the same mistakes again.

“We are still hurting from last year,” Nolan said.

“We lost to Romsey that last game at Romsey, went from fourth to seventh and missed out on finals by two per cent.”

Nolan said the depth in the club’s junior ranks suggested the club’s rise to the top of the RDFL table would be sustainable.

“It shows some stability. It shows that we are heading in the right direction,” he said.

“On and off the field we are going well. We have got some really good kids.”

Wallan defeated Romsey by 54 points on Saturday, 17.13 (115) to 9.7 (61), and hosts reigning premier Macedon this weekend.