Riddell sees off Melton South challenge in flag contenders ‘shootout’

Reigning RDFNL premier Riddell flexed its muscle to bring Melton South back to earth in a “shootout” between two flag fancies.

Dylan Tarczon in action for Riddell. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Finals are around the corner and Riddell is warming up.

The Bombers brought high-flying Melton South back to earth with a thud on Saturday, taking the Panthers down by 32 points at Melton Reserve.

The reigning RDFNL premier flexed its muscle against a potential flag contender, albeit one missing ex-AFL superstar Marlion Pickett.

Five-goal first and fourth quarters bookended an impressive performance by Riddell, as it ran out 18.12 (120) to 13.10 (88) winners to open up a two-game gap between itself and South in second and third.

Luke Cannon popped up with a five-goal haul, while perennial star Dylan Tarczon produced a best-on-ground performance to propel the Bombers to victory.

Kamen Ogilvie in action for Riddell. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The match was Riddell’s second highest score of the season – behind its 30.22 (202) against Gisborne Giants – and highest score conceded of the season.

Bombers coach Arron Bray said it was too evenly-matched sides throwing everything at each other.

“It was a good game of footy. It was a bit of a shootout,” Bray said.

“We thought we matched up pretty well, they play a similar game to what we do, which showed on the scoreboard.

“They like to run-and-gun off half-back and spread, so it was a good test for our guys because they didn’t go away – we had to rely on our structures and change a few things so credit to the boys for adjusting.”

Riddell started strongly, bagging five goals in the first term to take a 12-point lead.

Scores were level early in the second before the visitors broke away, kicking five unanswered goals to march out to a 30-point advantage, before Melton South responded to make it a 22-point half-time deficit.

Just three goals were kicked in the third term as both teams looked to knuckle down.

Bryce Williamson in action for Riddell. Picture: Andy Brownbill

However, the game broke open again in the fourth with South closing to within eight points.

But Riddell responded again with another five-goal burst to storm away, and it could have been more if not for a wasteful 5.6.

“We always had that early gap, just before half-time we were six goals up and they got a couple of red-time goals which hurt,” Bray said.

“It was really important we started the third quarter really well and neutralised that momentum.

“Then in the last we outscored them by a couple of goals to finish really strongly.”

Tarczon and Cannon were standout performers in the win.

League-leading goalkicker Dean Galea (four goals), Kamen Ogilvie, Brent Swallow and Ben Borg also shone.

“(Dylan) was awesome, he was a beast,” Bray said.

“He was midfield-forward, he’s just as dangerous forward as in the midfield, but his clearance work in particular was A-grade.

“He and Darley were matched up early but then Darley went and played his game and Tarcs played his game.

“Luke is a bit of a swingman, we can play him on the wing or at half-back.

“He’s one of those players that you never say ‘jeez, Luke had a bad game today’, he always either halves everything or he gets off the chain and he got rewarded.”

For Melton South, Lachlan Pritchard was best afield with four goals, while Sam Darley, Jake Thornton-Gielen and Joel Hodgson stood tall.

The match began a critical month for Riddell with last year’s preliminary finalist Macedon, fifth-placed Kyneton and ladder-leader Diggers Rest to come.

Riddell is only two points behind Diggers in the battle for the minor premiership, and now two games clear of the Panthers and Wallan.

“We’ve still got some important games coming up – Macedon next weekend and then Kyneton and Diggers,” Bray said.

RDFNL: WHICH UNLUCKY TEAM MISSES FINALS IN RUN HOME?

LEADER: GET YOUR RIDDELL DISTRICT FOOTY NEWS HERE

WRAP: FIRST TON OF SEASON IN SIGHT, BOOMER’S STILL GOT IT

“The next three games are really important to try and hold onto that second spot and a double chance.

“We’re on the run into finals now, so we want to be playing our best footy in the next six games.”

Elsewhere, Diggers retained top spot with a 44-point win over Romsey and Wallan continued its resurgence with a 35-point win over Kyneton.

Gisborne Giants secured its second win of the campaign, stunning Melton Centrals by five points, while Macedon eased past Lancefield by 32.