RDFL: Riddell looks to reload after gruelling start to season following breakthrough victory

RIDDELL is planning to “reload” after its first win of the season as it looks to launch towards a finals berth.

Michael Sahlberg is pinned in a tackle during Riddell’s loss to Diggers Rest. Picture: Andy Brownbill.

RIDDELL is planning to “reload” after its first win of the season as it looks to launch towards a finals berth.

The Bombers had a gruelling start to the Riddell District Football League campaign, beaten by reigning premier Macedon by one point in Round 1 and falling to Wallan (27 points) and Diggers Rest (18 points).

Coach Jamie Elliott admitted he was relieved after the weekend’s 37-point win over Melton Centrals, which he hopes will prove the catalyst for a change of fortune.

The Bombers will be out to back up that success against a battling Broadford on Saturday.

“It’s probably the toughest start I have been involved with,” Elliott said.

“We went in hoping to win a couple of the games but obviously it just didn’t work out that way.

“In all three games, we had our chance at winning the game.”

Coaches are seldom pleased by gallant defeats and Elliott knows his side cannot afford to fall further off the pace.

“There’s a lot of what ifs in footy, isn’t there? One good thing about football is you can always have a go next week,” he said.

“As a coach, sometimes you chase your tail.

“You will work on discipline one week, then you will work on your kick outs the next, but you chase your tail and you always find that something else goes wrong the week after.

“We have just got to settle down and reset really.”

Riddell coach Jamie Elliott is hoping to reload after a tough start to 2018. Picture: Kylie Else.

The club’s conversion is a clear area for improvement, after managing only 48 goals from 110 scoring shots in the opening four rounds.

“Obviously getting some good looks and just not capitalising,” Elliott said.

Riddell has not deviated from its plan of recent years to blood young players at senior level, handing 16-year-old Thomas Belleville a debut against Melton Centrals.

Ruckman Liam Read, Harry Power and Paul and Michael Sahlberg have been standouts.

“We have still got a lot of young kids,” Elliott said.

“We have got enough now that are around the 20 (year-old) mark that have played two or three years of footy.

“We do expect a fair bit of improvement.”