RDFL 2019: Contenders lining up for shot at RDFL glory as top sides add quality to line-ups

Although there were several lopsided results last year in the RDFL, there was little between the premiership contenders. Incredibly, the flag race might be even fiercer this season.

Diggers Rest coach Jamie Lobb and captain Tom Gleeson raise the premiership cup. Picture: Aaron Cook

Wallan and Romsey are shaping as the big improvers in the Riddell District Football League after an off-season highlighted by quality signings from the competition’s flag contenders.

The Magpies have lost Bowen medallist Jesse Davies to Essendon District club Craigieburn and key forward Sam Rexhepi to Lalor, but have added one of country Victoria’s most prolific goalkickers — Leitchville-Gunbower star Matt Perri.

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Wallan loomed as a premiership threat for much of 2018 before losing three of its last five matches and bombing out in week one of finals against Macedon.

The additions of Perri, goalkicking midfielder Sean Morris (North Bendigo), experienced tall Brendon Meroli (Pascoe Vale) and classy on-baller Michael Tang (North Launceston) should have Daniel Nolan’s side primed to secure an all-important top-three finish.

Romsey’s record against the top-five sides cost it dearly last year, but the signings of VFL premiership player Mitch Jensen (Wangaratta) and forward Joel Naylor (Whittlesea) will ensure the Redbacks make the jump from finalist to genuine flag contender.

Wallan’s Nathan Fowler flies high for a big mark. Picture: Aaron Cook

Romsey and Woodend-Hesket have reason to be optimistic ahead of the RDFL season. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The return of Nathan Blair after five seasons with VFL club Coburg is a significant bonus for Romsey, which went 1-7 against the other finalists last year.

The Redbacks will have to unseat last year’s top-two Rupertswood and Riddell or reigning premier Diggers Rest to earn their first top-three finish since being crowned minor premier in 2014.

The Bombers won 15 consecutive matches last season before their 21-point grand final defeat against Diggers Rest and have compensated for the departures of key trio Scott Walsh, Tim Walsh (Gisborne) and Liam Read (Greensborough).

Former North Melbourne defender Gavin Urquhart has crossed from Pascoe Vale, while Ethan Foreman returns after booting 58 goals in 20 Bendigo Football League games for Kyneton during an eye-catching campaign.

Co-coaches Justin Belleville and Jamie Elliott are also bullish about the talents of half-back flanker Riley Paterson, who has joined from Gisborne.

Diggers Rest showed its experience on the big stage last year, producing its best football when it mattered most in the latter stages of the campaign.

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Premiership coach Jamie Lobb is at the helm again and has been adamant the club will not repeat the mistakes which cost it a shot at successive premierships in 2017.

The arrivals of dashing defender Luke Delahey (Darley), his brother Todd and Alec Del Papa (both Bacchus Marsh) have offset the loss of skipper Tom Gleeson (overseas), Mathew Medcraft (Wangaratta), Stephen Ruane and Luke Smailes (retired).

Rupertswood will be smarting after finishing as minor premier with a 14-2 record but failing to fire a shot come finals.

The Sharks have spent the summer pondering what might have been after being hammered by Riddell (38 points) and Macedon (63 points) in last year’s finals series.

Macedon’s Matthew Dick punches the ball clear of Diggers Rest opponent Joshua Wallace. Picture: Aaron Cook

Riddell charged through 2018 before its season ended with a grand final defeat. Picture: Josie Hayden

Coach Nick Ash has been buoyed by a bevy of re-signings which suggest the club will be a contender again, while Matthew Knight (East Keilor) has brought much-needed premiership experience to Rupertswood.

Defender Matthew Elliott (Strathmore) has been earmarked as a “key pillar” of the Sharks back half, with Tom Knight (Wallan) and Josh Smiley (Romsey) other new faces.

Macedon, Woodend-Hesket and Melton Centrals will also be top-six aspirants.

The Cats proved their class in finals last year to progress to a preliminary final from fifth, only falling two points short of ending eventual premier Diggers Rest’s campaign.

Karl Staudt (Ocean Grove) and Matthew Hutchesson (Sunshine) will bring valuable experience to Tony Clarke Reserve, while premiership players Casey Summerfield (Gisborne) and Errol McConnell (Pascoe Vale) have moved on.

Woodend-Hesket produced one of its best campaigns since claiming its most recent premiership in 2007, missing out on a finals return by one game last year.

The retention of a crop of prime movers headlined by the league’s premier on-baller Daniel Toman will have the Hawks primed to push for a long-awaited top-six berth.

Experienced tall Marcus Stapleton is the major signing for Woodend-Hesket and will provide versatility in the club’s big-man stocks alongside Tom Gawthrop and Alistair Rae, who combined for 94 goals in 2018.

Melton Centrals will be out to bridge the gap between themselves and the finals sides after five of their six victories last year came against the teams ranked seventh to 12th.

Lancefield, Rockbank and Broadford face a tough task to climb the ladder, with the eight other RDFL clubs set to contend for the six finals berths on offer.

PREDICTED LADDER

Wallan

Rupertswood

Riddell

Romsey

Diggers Rest

Macedon

Woodend-Hesket

Melton Centrals

Lancefield

Rockbank

Broadford

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