RDFL: Wallan moves one game clear at top of ladder after midfield inspires win over Woodend-Hesket

WALLAN shaded a battle of two of the Riddell District Football League’s premier midfields to emerge victorious against Woodend-Hesket on Saturday.

Andrew Saladino was immense for Wallan in its win over Woodend-Hesket. Picture: Hamish Blair.

WALLAN shaded a battle of two of the Riddell District Football League’s premier midfields to emerge victorious against Woodend-Hesket on Saturday.

The Magpies launched themselves one game clear at the top of the ladder with a 10.14 (74) to 8.5 (53) win, taking advantage of Riddell’s 63-point victory against Rupertswood.

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Wallan coach Daniel Nolan praised his engine room, with Andrew Saladino, Ricky Schraven and Jesse Davies going toe-to-toe with the Hawks on-ball brigade led by Daniel and Ben Toman in a quality midfield stoush.

“It was a great battle of the midfields,” Nolan said.

“The Toman boys in the middle up against Jesse Davies, Saladino and Schraven, it was really good to watch.”

Wallan kicked four goals and held Woodend-Hesket scoreless in the second quarter, establishing a 16-point buffer which enabled it to keep the Hawks at arm’s length for the rest of the contest.

With Sam Rexhepi a strong presence up forward and Saladino immense in the clinches, the Magpies matched Woodend-Hesket’s six goals after halftime to clinch a 21-point victory.

The result capped an ideal week for the club after Nolan put pen to paper on a deal which will lock him in as coach until the end of 2020.

Games against fellow finals contenders Romsey, Macedon, Diggers Rest and Rupertswood during the run home will likely determine whether Wallan holds on to its top-three spot.

“It’s a pretty tough draw in the run home, but that’s what you want so you can see where you are at,” Nolan said.

This weekend’s away clash against Romsey will be the first time the teams have clashed since the Redbacks prevailed by 16 points in the final home-and-away round of 2017 and caused the Magpies to miss finals.

“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.

“I know the boys have pencilled this game in for a long time.”

Diggers Rest defeated Lancefield by 113 points, Romsey downed Sunbury Kangaroos by 52, Melton Centrals clobbered Broadford by 158 and Macedon thumped Rockbank by 137.