Improved depth and healthier list behind Romsey’s strong start to RDFNL season

Improved depth was a major focus for Romsey over summer and with a healthy list at his disposal, coach Justin Sherman believes his team has taken big strides in 2024.

Romsey run out onto the field. Picture: Josh Chadwick

Romsey coach Justin Sherman is crossing fingers and toes his squad remains healthy after a strong 5-1 start.

The Redbacks sit third on percentage, level on points with reigning RDFNL premier Diggers Rest, approaching the half-way mark of the campaign.

Sherman said injuries to key players hit the club hard last year as it dropped six of seven games in the middle of the season before squeezing into fifth.

Improved depth was a major focus in the off-season and the club is reaping the benefits.

The likes of summer recruits Justin Waldron, Ethan Beer and Connor Bills have reduced the reliance of club guns Nathan Blair, Nathan Rayment, Matt Burkett and Corey Pertzel.

Darcy Lockens in action for Romsey. Picture: Hamish Blair

Sherman pointed to Saturday’s seven-point win over Woodend-Hesket at Gilbert Gordon Reserve as a game it might have lost last year.

“We’ve definitely taken strides forward, there’s been growth within the group, and we’re winning the tighter games that we were dropping last year,” Sherman said.

“Woodend really brought it to us for three quarters and probably outplayed us for the most part but our group, we’re finding a way to win now even if it’s not pretty.

“I thought the way we shut the game down in the last quarter and kept our cool was good reward for the work we put in over the off-season.

“Being challenged sometimes you can lose yourself in the moment but I was really proud of the way the boys stood up and weathered the storm.

“Beer and Bills rotating through the midfield and either half-forward or half-back, they’re hard at the contest but good with ball in hand too.

“In the ruck, Juzzy (Waldron) has been unreal for us, he competes, he gets around the ground and has good skills for a big man.

“It’s allowed us to move our skipper (Blair) to half-back and Matty Burkett to half-forward, which has balanced our unit out and gives us leaders across the ground.”

Samuel Wilson in action for Romsey. Picture: Josh Chadwick

Romsey hosts Macedon this Saturday before the King’s Birthday weekend bye.

It returns from the break away to Diggers Rest, then Kyneton (home), Wallan (home) and Melton Centrals (away) before its second competition bye in what looms a season-defining stretch.

Depth and a healthy list will be critical in the run home.

“The thing that’s helped has been having a healthy list, so far we’ve been able to keep a fit and healthy 22 together for the most part,” Sherman said.

“I remember this period last year we dropped away with injuries pretty heavily and a lot of them were to key players.

“If we can stay healthy it will give us a good springboard into the second half of the year.

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“We’ve had a good start and these next four or five games before our last bye, we see them as determining where we finish.

“In saying that, we’re not focused on where we finish, it’s about getting our processes right, playing our role for the team and doing the simple things well.”

With Jack Jedwab limited to just two games this season, reigning RDFNL Rising Gun Darcy Lockens has stepped up in the key forward role.

The young gun has 12 goals in six appearances and sits equal sixth in the league goalkicking.