Romsey looking to make an impact on RDFNL finals after scrapping into top-five

Jack Jedwab is Romsey’s first league-leading goalkicker in a decade and believes the Redbacks can make an impact on RDFNL finals.

Jack Jedwab in action for Romsey. Picture: Hamish Blair

It’s been 10 years since Romsey had the Riddell District league-leading goalkicker but the Redbacks hope history doesn’t repeat on Saturday.

Jack Jedwab broke the drought with his 61 majors to top the competition, matching Mathew Davidson’s goalkicking feats of 2013.

However, that season Romsey’s season ended with a semi-final defeat to Riddell, which they face in this weekend’s elimination final.

The Redbacks scraped into the top-five with a hard-fought final round win over Lancefield, leap-frogging Macedon as it went down to Woodend-Hesket.

Having booked its finals ticket, Jedwab said his club was looking to make the most of its opportunity.

Jack Jedwab in action for Romsey. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“It was a good year and we’re just happy to make finals in the end,” he said.

“We were a bit disappointing in the middle of the year, so to scrap in is a bit of a relief and weight of the shoulders, so hopefully we can do something with our finals campaign.

“I know on our day we can match it with anyone and having beaten (Riddell) once already this year, we’ll get some confidence from that.

“We probably started to hit some form the last couple of weeks, last week was a little disappointing, but we’re starting to put it together in the back of the year when it matters.”

Romsey knocked off Riddell in Round 3, winning by 23 points at Romsey Park at Jedwab booted two and young gun Darcy Lockens ran riot.

However, it’s proved the Redbacks only scalp for the season as the Bombers turned the tables by 19 points in Round 14.

The club has come close to competition powers Diggers Rest, Woodend-Hesket and Wallan but not been able to get over the line.

It has pushed Wallan to within 13 points, came within 17 and one point of Woodend and went down by six to Diggers Rest.

“To be honest, we’d have preferred to be a little bit higher on the ladder, a lot of losses were fairly close margins and struggled to put four strong quarters together,” Jedwab said.

“We knew all along our best could get us to finals and we’re glad we’re there and hopefully we can do something.”

Jedwab finished 17 goals ahead of his nearest rivals for the goalkicking crown, Melton Centrals Dylan Jobson and Diggers Rest’s Mitch Day.

The Redbacks spearhead booted a season-high 10 goals against Western Rams and had another bag of eight against the Rams.

He didn’t just beat up on struggling clubs, kicking seven against Melton Centrals and Woodend-Hesket as well as five against Lancefield and Diggers Rest.

Jedwab said the service from his midfield was elite.

“It’s been good to have some consistency, find my role in the team, and to perform at not a bad standard has been rewarding,” he said.

“I’m pretty happy, it’s obviously not why you play footy but it’s a bonus for hardwork and good to get some reward.

“Our captain Nathan Blair is a big one, we missed him for a fair part of the year and to have him back – for not only his football ability but his leadership – the whole team walks taller.

“Matt Burkett has been huge, I love when he’s kicking the ball inside 50m, Nathan Rayment has had a huge year too, being able to stay healthy and had a consistent year.

“A few young boys have stood up, Darcy Lockens in his first year of senior footy finished ninth in the league goalkicking.”

Jedwab has thrived under first-year coach Justin Sherman, who he says has given the playing group ownership of the team.

“Justin’s been awesome, he brings a great energy to the club,” Jedwab said.

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“His resume speaks for itself, in terms of playing at AFL level and coaching at a high level, the group love him and respect him highly.

“He’s given me a fair bit of responsibility in the way we set up and our structures and game plan.

“We bounce ideas off each other, he’s shared his experience but also allowed us to have our input, it’s been good in terms of teaching but also listening.”

On Saturday, Wallan faces Woodend-Hesket in a qualifying final at Romsey Park, while Riddell faces Romsey in an elimination final at Gilbert Gordon Oval.