Riddell defeats RDFNL rival Wallan despite missing two top midfielders

In an ominous warning for title rivals, Riddell coach Arron Bray says his team hasn’t hit top gear yet as the Bombers took care of Wallan on the road.

Matthew Panuccio celebrates a goal for Riddell. Picture: Josh Chadwick

Riddell sent an ominous warning to its RDFNL premiership rivals on Saturday.

The Bombers handed a 21-point defeat to Wallan at Greenhill Reserve, despite missing two of the best midfielders in the competition – Dylan Tarczon and Brent Swallow.

The 2022 premiers are the only undefeated side in the competition having previously knocked over Macedon and Kyneton.

A week after beating Diggers Rest, the Magpies will rue inaccuracy, taking one less scoring shot but falling 9.8 (62) to 5.11 (41).

Riddell coach Arron Bray said the team’s first quarter was critical.

Bryce Williamson gets a kick for Riddell. Picture: Josh Chadwick

“It’s always hard to win down there but the conditions weren’t too bad (on Saturday),” Bray said.

“It was a hard, contested ball sort of game so to get out of there with four points, we’re pretty rapt.

“We had a good start, we kicked three goals to one against the wind, and that set us up, getting a good start at Wallan – especially if you don’t have the wind – is vitally important.

“They were full strength so we knew we were the underdog going in, on paper.

“We really concentrated on getting a fast start, making them uncomfortable and they did some things they normally wouldn’t do under pressure.”

Kicking into the wind in the first quarter, Riddell held a 10-point lead at the first change, kicking 3.1 to 1.3.

The Bombers extended the lead to 19 at half-time and held a 17-point buffer after three quarters.

Wallan then went goalless in the final term, booting 0.4.

Dean Galea and Haydn Ross celebrate a goal for Riddell. Picture: Josh Chadwick

Despite missing Tarczon and Swallow – both with hamstring injuries – Bray was pleased with how his midfield adapted.

“Tommy Alkemade was good, Haydn Ross was very good on a wing and young Jack Hammerling played really well with three goals,” he said.

“Josh Grabham was really good against a dominant ruckman in Chris Stewart, competed really well all day, and then they had Patrick Mahoney and Hayden Gill in there as well.

“Sugar (Ben Sonogan) had a bloody good game, you just know what you’re going to get out of him every week, he’s a really good intercept mark and just kills contests.

“Across the board I was pretty happy, we didn’t carry any players, which is a good sign.”

Sonogan was named the Bombers’ best in victory, together with Grabham, Ross and Hammerling (three goals).

For Wallan, Jacob Langborne booted four goals to be best in defeat, while Brodie Gilchrist, Corey Viani and Riley Gilchrist stood tall.

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Riddell faces Woodend-Hesket on Saturday, looking to make it four games without defeat.

Ominously for its rivals, Bray said Riddell had yet to find top gear.

“To be 3-0 … we set ourselves to try and be 4-0 and possibly 5-0 by the bye,” he said.

“We’re on track and ticking boxes we need to but we’re still playing no were near our best footy.”

Elsewhere, the Hawks got their first win of the season, demolishing Lancefield by 81 points, Romsey defeated Kyneton on the road with a 22-point win and Diggers Rest destroyed Melton Centrals by 115 as Shaun Campbell kicked seven goals.