RDFL: Wallan eyeing droughtbreaking finals win after unbeaten start to campaign

WALLAN barely rated a mention on the map when it last won a Riddell District Football League final.

Corey Grindlay has been one of Wallan’s standouts in the opening rounds of the RDFL campaign. Picture: Mark Dadswell.

WALLAN barely rated a mention on the map when it last won a final.

The Magpies, who were the hardluck story of the Riddell District Football League season last year, have not tasted finals success since 2001.

In the 17 years since, Wallan’s population has almost tripled from 3958 to more than 11,000 and the number of houses in the suburb has ballooned by more than 2000.

Coach Daniel Nolan is intent on ending the club’s lengthy drought this year after it missed out on finals by 2.58 per cent last season.

“The focus and drive is, we want to win a final, because that’s a long drought,” Nolan said. “We were really close last year, it came down to that last game. That’s our focus, to end that drought.”

Wallan has made a superb start to 2018 and has a favourable draw in the next three games as it strives to lay a platform for a top-six finish.

The Magpies face Lancefield, Rockbank and Melton Centrals in the next three rounds before confronting last year’s runner-up Rupertswood.

Nolan said he had been buoyed by the support the club’s impressive form had generated.

“It’s a really good atmosphere and environment at the moment,” he said.

“We had a bumper crowd (last) weekend, our loyal supporters were there and they probably got us over the line in the end. It’s probably the best I have seen in terms of the atmosphere at the club.”

Wallan coach Daniel Nolan is eyeing a droughtbreaking finals win. Picture: Mark Dadswell.

Nolan praised midfielder Jesse Davies, who has been prolific in Wallan’s engine room, as “one of the best midfielders in the competition”.

Captain Michael Mannix, wingman Corey Grindlay and forward Josh Barber, who kicked six goals in the club’s rousing Round 2 win over Riddell, have also caught the eye.

“Josh is one of those boys that had an outstanding junior career and he went away from the game for a couple of years,” Nolan said. “We are starting to see the potential he really has at senior level.”

Wallan came from 14 points down at three-quarter-time to beat Sunbury Kangaroos 11.8 (74) to 10.9 (69) on Saturday.