Macedon keeps its season alive, defeating Romsey in the RDFNL elimination final

Romsey’s inaccuracy in front of the big sticks proved costly as Macedon took its chances and kept its RDFNL season alive on Sunday.

Romsey’s Jaxson Kinnear is tackled by Hamish Govan of Macedon. Picture: Josh Chadwick

Macedon coach Al Meldrum said his team couldn’t have timed its best performance of the season any better.

The Cats stunned Romsey by 24 points in their RDFNL elimination final at Bloomdale Oval on Sunday to keep their season alive.

“It was a really good win for our group, we hadn’t beaten anyone above us this year so our timing was perfect,” Meldrum said.

“In a cut-throat final, particularly for our young players – I can’t count how many – it was their first senior final and they weren’t overawed.”

The two clubs played each other in the final game of the home-and-away season last week, the Redbacks claiming a six-point win.

Jason Cooke in action for Macedon. Picture: Josh Chadwick

However, they inaccuracy proved costly in the rematch, despite having one less scoring shot Macedon triumphed, 11.6 (72) to 6.12 (48).

After an arm-wrestle for three quarters and then a 45-minute lightning interruption at three-quarter-time, the Cats pounced, booting five of the final seven goals to seal victory.

The result earning a semi-final match-up with Diggers Rest.

“Romsey were on top most of the third quarter but they didn’t kick a goal and we got a couple of opportunities late,” Meldrum said.

“Efficiency going forward late in the quarter was really important.

“After the (lightning) delay they kicked the first goal but we kicked the next three and settled really well, got on top at the stoppages and got the ball on the outside and started to use our speed and run and fitness.

“We put a lot of pressure on them going forward, defensively the boys held up really well, and then we were more efficient going forward.

“It’s always nice to win a final, it makes all the training, planning, previews and reviews worthwhile.”

Brodie Hoyne in action for Macedon. Picture: Josh Chadwick

Macedon led by two points at quarter-time and six points at the half.

Romsey kicked 0.5 despite having control of possession in the third quarter and the Cats punished their misses with the final two goals of the term to take a 14-point lead into the final change.

The Redbacks narrowed the margin to eight points in the opening minute but then five goals to one all but ended the match.

Brodie Hoyne was named best-on-ground in the win, while Xavier Morgan, Matt Dick, Aaron Morham, Sam Indian and Joe Barham also impressed.

Meldrum lauded Hoyne’s ability to win the ball inside and deliver on the outside.

“Brodie was fantastic, he was in everything,” Meldrum said.

“First to the footy at stoppage and won a lot of the ball, used it well, and kicked his first goal of the year at an important time in the last quarter.

“Xav is new to the club, he’s been a slow build because he hadn’t played footy for a while but his attribute – he’s about 6’5 and we play him as a midfielder.

“He’s really clean in the contest, never panics, he didn’t waste a possession and kicked a really good goal in the second quarter.

“Matt was excellent, he had so much of the ball it wasn’t funny.

“We used him down back and in the midfield in the first three quarters and then I moved him forward and he kicked two big goals in the last.”

For Romsey, Matt Burkett, Corey Pertzel, Nathan Tessari and Jack Jedwab stood tall.

Macedon will now face Diggers Rest in a minor semi-final after the Burras’ 13-point loss to Wallan on Saturday.

Diggers claimed both clashes this season, winning by 19 points at Tony Clarke Reserve in Round 4 before a 10-point victory at Bloomdale Reserve in Round 11.

Meldrum isn’t buying into any talk of the reigning premier’s struggles.

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“We’re going to be underdogs in every game we play, which is fine, but we feel like our game is in good shape,” he said.

“I watched the game on Saturday, Diggers were 28 points up at half-time so they still did a fair bit right.

“With the amount of experience and premiership credibility it’s going to be a great challenge, we just have to go in believing and prepared for their best.”

On Saturday, Riddell and Wallan will battle for a spot in the grand final.