Melton Centrals ends Romsey hoodoo to move within reach of RDFNL top-five
Melton Centrals put an end to Romsey’s 10-year dominance to move to within reach of another major milestone, a long-awaited return to finals.
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Melton Centrals ended a 10-year drought with a thrilling seven-point win over Romsey on Saturday
The Blues had not beaten the Redbacks since Round 17, 2013, when they won by six points, at MacPherson Oval but finally turned the tables at Romsey Park.
Jarryd Underwood was the hero, booting the only goal in a nail-biting fourth quarter to secure a 9.7 (61) to 7.12 (54) victory.
The result sees Centrals move level with fifth-placed Romsey with 24 points – although the Redbacks have a game in hand – and just five per cent behind in a tightening battle for RDFNL finals.
Blues coach Matt Sproule said these types of wins were a big step forward for his club.
“I hadn’t beaten Romsey since I’ve been at the club, it was another good performance with a lot of heart and determination,” he said.
“It wasn’t pretty but we hung in under pressure, couldn’t put them away when we had our chances and the last quarter was a good old slog and we came out on the right end of it.
“Both team had their moments, we’d get a couple of goals and then they’d get a couple.
“We’re rapt we’re winning these games … it’s on heart at the minute and hopefully we can get a few more wins to give ourselves a sniff.”
The two sides were rarely separated throughout the match.
Scores were level, 13 apiece, at quarter-time, Romsey took at two-point lead at half-time and scores were level again at the last change, 52-all.
Underwood put his side in front with a clutch goal and Centrals finished with 1.3 to the Redbacks 0.2 in a desperate finish.
Dylan Jobson booted three goals before moving into the ruck and playing behind the ball in the final quarter to bolster the Blues defence in the dying minutes.
Fellow tall Evan Donoghue continued his outstanding season, while Jake Armistead, Will Thornton-Gielen and skipper Jarrod Spry also impressed.
Sproule said the usual suspects continued to stand tall but was pleased to see a more even spread of contributors.
“Dylan went behind the footy in the last five minutes, he was doing some ruck work as well,” he said.
“Evan was probably our best player, Jobbo did really well when he needed a spell, so they were our best two.
“Will Thornton-Gielen, Jake Armistead and Jarrod Spry’s last month has been fantastic, he’s feeling better physically, and he was really important in the second half.
“We’ve been much more even over the last month, our other players have contributed not just the same four or five, which is why we’re playing better.”
In a season of drought breaking, Melton Centrals is now within reach of another major achievement – playing finals for the first time since 2012.
The Blues are locked in a three-way battle with Romsey and Macedon for fifth spot.
Centrals face a horror run home, starting with Wallan away, followed by Woodend-Hesket (home), Macedon (away), Riddell (away), a bye and Diggers Rest (home).
Romsey plays Riddell (away), Western Rams (home), Woodend-Hesket (away), Macedon (home), Diggers Rest (away) and Lancefield (home), while Macedon tackles Diggers (away), Lancefield (home), Centrals (home), Romsey (away), Western Rams (home) and Woodend (away).
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“We had to win to keep our finals hopes alive, they’re on the same amount of wins but their draw is a bit kinder,” Sproule said.
“We’ve had one more win because they’ve had two byes but in saying that we’ve played Western Rams and Lancefield while they haven’t, so you’d think that’s two wins.
“We’ve got to play Macedon and then everyone above us so I’d say we’d need to win three out of our next five, maybe two, but we’re playing good footy and we’re a chance.”
Elsewhere, Wallan romped to a 139-point win over Western Rams, Woodend-Hesket squeezed past Lancefield by 16 points and Riddell survived a scare at Macedon by just four points.
Romsey embracing premiership acid test
Win or lose Romsey will learn plenty about its premiership aspirations in the final three weeks of the RDFNL home-and-away season.
Local footy wrap: Streaks survive and contenders emerge
The longest winning streak in local footy was given its biggest test, other contenders emerged, relegation battles were won and a milestone man delivered in perfect style. Catch-up on all of Saturday’s local footy action.