RDFL contender Wallan takes out 18 months of frustration on Romsey

After 18 months of waiting, 2019 RDFL runner-up Wallan took out its pent up frustration on Romsey with a batch of new faces impressing on debut.

Michael Mannix in action for Wallan.

Wallan coach Daniel Nolan isn’t looking too far ahead after Saturday’s Riddell District season-opening romp against Romsey.

After an 18-month wait, the Magpies were finally able to take the field and took out their 2019 grand final loss frustration on the Redbacks in an 83-point hammering.

Key recruit Corey Viani was best afield on his debut for the club having arrived from EDFL Division 1 premier Craigieburn.

Fellow Eagles premiership winners Steven Boyall and 2018 Bowen Medallist Jesse Davies as well as Matt Bonello and Cody Lynch also impressed in the 18.17 (125) to 6.6 (42) win at Greenhill Reserve.

However, Nolan wasn’t going to let his team get ahead of itself.

Wallan coach Daniel Nolan. Picture: Hamish Blair

“It’s a very even competition up the top, I think Diggers Rest are the team to beat,” he said.

“They’re very well coached by Lobby (Jamie Lobb), they’ve maintained their list and picked up a couple as well.

“Woodend will be a surprise packet, I think they can play finals this year, then the likes of Macedon and Riddell have got plenty of senior experience.

“We’ve got a great group, they’re very close … as a coaching department we’re really excited by what we can achieve.”

Wallan started well, taking a 14-point lead into quarter-time, but hit its straps in the second term piling on six goals to one for a 50-point half-time buffer.

The second half was again one-way traffic as the Magpies kicked eight goals to three.

After his 100-goal season in 2019, Matt Perri started with a bag of four majors, while Sean Morris also kicked four and young ruckman Patrick Mahoney impressed filling in for Will Brock.

Nolan was especially pleased with the four-quarter performance in the first game back against a club that finished second on the ladder in 2019.

“That’s something we want to focus on, the group is very fit and able to run out games,” Nolan said.

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“Our forward line is very damaging and we’ve got multiple options down there, so if our midfield can keep supplying them with forward 50m entries, I think we’ll competitive.

“We know Romsey still have their top line and Riley Mason is a talent, he’s definitely a player to watch.

“Our captain Michael Mannix led from the front, Corey was good in his first game for the club and Sean rotating forward and through the midfield was able to kick four.”

Wallan will look to make it two-from-two when it travels to Lancefield, while Romsey will hope to bounce back at Woodend-Hesket.