Riddell premiership coach Justin Belleville says club is ‘always the hunted’

Riddell begins it’s premiership defence in a Good Friday blockbuster but Bombers coach Justin Belleville says nothing changes for his club.

Riddell coach Justin Belleville says his club isn’t the hunted this season because they’re reigning premier, they’re the hunted every season.

The Bombers claimed a drought-breaking RDFNL premiership last season, the club’s first since 2013.

Belleville’s team are expected to be among the contenders again this season with some big names returning to the club.

Riddell begins it’s premiership defence in a stand-alone Good Friday blockbuster against Woodend-Hesket but Belleville says last year counts for nothing now.

“No, that’s done and dusted. We just look ahead,” he said.

Riddell captain Josh Grabham and coach Justin Belleville left the cup. Picture: Hamish Blair

“I’ve been at Riddell for a long time and we’re always the hunted so it hasn’t really changed.

“We’re always hated by everyone so they’re always coming after us.

“Nothing changes, it doesn’t matter if we’re undefeated or last, everyone wants to beat us.”

The Bombers balanced their summer recruiting.

Premiership players Michael Edwards (Deer Park), Jack Hammerling (Maribrynong Park), Riley Paterson (Woodend-Hesket) and Steve Treweek (Sunbury Kangaroos) have departed.

Andrew Duhau and Lucas Shaw have retired.

Former club captains Matt Panuccio (Gisborne) and Haydn Ross (Sunbury) are back, while Brad Mundy (Sunbury), Ben Said (Rupertswood) and Lachlan Tarczon (Sunbury Kangaroos) have also arrived.

Panuccio and Ross have already had a strong impact on the Bombers’ young talent.

“We’ve got a young list still so it adds experience we need, we lost a couple of older blokes,” Belleville said.

“Bringing them back has been really good because they’ve been great with the kids.

“We’re going with youth again, it worked for us last year, and we’ll stay on that path.”

Riddell had seven players 22 or under feature in the premiership win – Jesse Horton, Nathan Croft, Jack Hammerling, Michael Edwards, Brodie Miller, Oscar Besanko and Jordan Reardon – and will trust in youth again in 2023.

Horton, Croft, Miller, Besanko and Reardon remain and will become core senior players this season.

Belleville said there were several more young guns ready to make their mark.

“We’ve got big Darcy McGrath in the ruck to help Grabham out,” he said.

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“Young Harry Sloss I think he’ll play a lot of senior footy this year.

“I think Jesse Horton is ready to explode as well, he played the majority of the year in the thirds and he just got better and better and his pre-season has been unbelievable.”

Following the Good Friday clash at Gilbert Gordon Oval, Riddell faces Western Rams before a Puka Up Cup match against Macedon at Riddells Creek.

The first grand final rematch against Diggers Rest will be held at Riddells Creek on May 13.