Macedon claims gritty win over fellow RDFL flag contender Diggers Rest

Macedon goes into its first Riddell District bye well contented after knocking off fellow premiership contender Diggers Rest in an Anzac Day thriller.

Zach Smedley in action for Macedon. Picture: Hamish Blair

Macedon coach Al Meldrum admits he’s looking forward to the club’s bye this week.

The Cats have played two heart-stoppers in the opening fortnight of the Riddell District season, starting with a draw against Riddell.

They bounced back superbly on Sunday to secure a thrilling five-point Anzac Day win over premiership rival Diggers Rest.

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It’s a critical result for the club, which has the week off before another blockbuster against 2019 grand finalist Wallan.

After a tough start to the season Meldrum said the bye was perfectly timed.

Matthew Dick punches the ball away from Josh Wallace. Picture: Aaron Cook

“I’m actually pretty pleased we’ve got the bye, we’ve got some sore boys,” he said.

We had some hotly contested practice matches before Round 1 as well against Hepburn and Kyneton.

“I think it’s come at a good time and it’s fantastic to go into the bye with the win.

“We’ve got Wallan at home after the bye – in our first night game – so that’s going to be another highly competitive game.”

Macedon claimed arguably the biggest scalp in the competition with a nail-biting 8.9 (57) to 7.10 (52) victory at Tony Clarke Reserve.

In an enthralling finale neither team managed to score a goal in the fourth quarter, which lasted just 21 minutes.

The Cats and Burras scored two behinds apiece as the already physical, contested battle ramped up in intensity.

Having claimed the lead with an impressive third quarter performance the Cats held firm under immense pressure.

Jack Kernan in action for Macedon. Picture: Aaron Cook.

“I think the boys deserved it, after probably giving up a win in the draw, it was good reward for effort,” Meldrum said.

“Diggers are perennial contenders and I expect it to be no different this season.

“No matter what time of the year, to get a win over Diggers is a really good measure of where we’re at … it’s a really good sign for us.”

New recruit David Morrice produced a best-on-ground performance against his former club, while Brodie Hoyne and Matthew Dick also impressed. Jason Cooke booted three goals.

“Dave actually played against Macedon in the 2017 grand final when we beat Rupo (Rupertswood) and then crossed to Diggers for the 2019 season,” Meldrum said.

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“He’s endeared himself to his teammates from day dot and he would have been pretty motivated (on Sunday) playing against his old side.

“He was fantastic for us around the ball, his competitive work, his defensive pressure and his brought other players into the game with his handball.”

Matt Krul, Taylor Hine and Jaidyn Caruana were Diggers Rest’s best performers with Cole Laurie bagging two goals.

The Burras will look to get back on the winners’ list against Riddell, which is coming off a strong 32-point win over Melton Central.

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Two late goals from Ben Sonogan saw Riddell and Macedon share the points in a thrilling RDFL season opener on Saturday.

It’s the competition’s first draw since Macedon and Melton Central couldn’t be separated in Round 7, 2012.

The Cats held a 13-point lead with five minutes remaining at Riddells Creek Reserve before Sonogan’s saved the day for the Bombers with 90 seconds on the clock.

Macedon coach Al Meldrum was in awe of both sides saying the first game in 18 months was played with a finals-like intensity.

“There wasn’t much opportunity for open, free-flowing footy all day because of the defensive pressure and the score was tight all day,” he said.

Jason Cooke in action for Macedon. Picture: David Smith

“We got out to a 13-point lead, which was the biggest lead of the day, and then Ben Sonogan stepped up late to level it up.

“Credit to Riddell for digging deep when it looked like we were about to break the dam wall, which we threatened to do all day.

“The feeling in the rooms was more like a loss because we had that late lead but I think that’s a good sign we weren’t satisfied,” he said.

“For the neutral observer probably fair result, a good game of footy, and both teams really played with a finals-like intensity.”

There was late drama as Riddell pushed forward in search of the winning score only for Macedon to slingshot forward themselves for one final opportunity.

However, a saving mark in defence for Riddell halted the visitors hopes as the siren sounded.

“Riddell actually got an inside 50m but we had Brodie Hoyne and Clinton Burgess step up and defend it well,” Meldrum said.

“We had an opportunity going forward, Nipper Wright – our captain – did some excellent work on the wing but our forwards was caught out of position by the quick movement and Riddell intercepted it.

“It was great to see them back out there and not just the seniors … the girls back on the netball court as well.

“Our under-19s didn’t field a team in 2019 so to see them back was brilliant, a lot of hard work has gone into getting that team back up.”

Matt Panuccio and Matt Dick were best on ground for Riddell and Macedon respectively, while Sonogan and Cats star Jason Cooke both slotted four majors.

The Cats are expected to challenge for the vacant RDFL crown but Meldrum believed it would take several weeks for the competition to shake out.

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“I guess there’s so much unknown with a year off and you probably need to have a look at the first six or seven weeks before you get a good gauge.

“The perennial contenders – of which we have been for quite a few years – look like they’ll be similar but I expect improvement from Woodend, Melton and Lancefield.

“Hopefully it’s a good year for the comp now that they’ve gone it alone and opted out of (AFL) Goldfields.”

In other Round 1 action, Diggers Rest were too powerful for Woodend-Hesket, claiming a 32-point victory, Wallan trounced Romsey by 83 points and Melton Central beat Western Rams by 79 points.