Romsey storms home to secure big win over reigning premier Diggers Rest

Seven unanswered goals as propelled Romsey to a commanding victory over reigning premier Diggers Rest and signalled the Redbacks’ own title threat.

Nathan Rayment wins the ball for Romsey. Picture: Josh Chadwick

A dominant five-goal fourth quarter earned Romsey a breakthrough 32-point win over Diggers Rest on Saturday.

The Redbacks kicked the last seven goals of the game and kept the reigning premier scoreless in the last term to announce themselves as RDFNL premiership contenders.

Trailing by three points at the final change, the visitors stormed home to win 11.13 (79) to 7.5 (47) at Bloomdale Oval.

It’s almost five years to the day since Romsey’s last win over the Burras, breaking a six-game losing stretch.

Jack Jedwab was inspirational in his return to the line-up from Essendon VFL duties, booting five goals, while skipper Nathan Blair and Ash Millane also impressed.

Jack Jedwab in action for Romsey. Picture: Hamish Blair

Coach Justin Sherman said the team had the belief that they could win from anywhere.

“It was a great win, the boys were terrific,” Sherman said.

“We were challenged, we knew we would be, but since the Riddell game we’ve been building and it was a good test to see where our group was at.

“To keep them to two inside 50s and play basically 90 per cent in our half and kick seven unanswered goals to see out the game, I couldn’t be prouder.

“We’ve come from behind in three or four games and I think that’s one thing that’s different about the group this year, the guys believe they can win from anywhere.

“They needed that for reward for effort and it should elevate them, to tell them they are good enough.

“Anything is possible for this group but we’re keeping a lid on it, we know this competition is very even and we cannot afford to get complacent.”

In a see-sawing contest, Diggers Rest held a seven-point lead at quarter-time before Romsey took a six-point margin into quarter-time.

The Burras took control in the third quarter to re-establish a three-point lead at the final change before the Redbacks put the hammer down with a 5.5 finish.

“It’s just about intensity, we talked about the contest, we probably let them get out too easily in the third quarter,” Sherman said.

“Realistically you want four quarters of pressure but teams are always going to have a run and Diggers had that so we had to weather the storm.

“That’s where it all starts for us, if our contest is good then our offensive and defensive game goes to another level.”

The result sees Romsey remain level with Riddell at the top of the ladder.

Diggers and Wallan are tied a game behind.

In his third game of the season, Jedwab was superb, playing forward and pushing up the ground to impact in midfield.

Sherman said the team walked taller with the reigning league goalkicker in the side.

“I’ve coached Jack for a couple of years, I’m very lucky to have him as a Redbacks player,” he said.

“He’s humble and hardworking, it was great to have him back in the fold and he put on a show (on Saturday), it was one of the best games I’ve seen him play for our club.

“He was tremendous, whether it was forward or around the footy, he’s got so many avenues to his game and that’s what makes him so hard to match up on.”

Blair, Millane and Corey Petzel also stood out, while in his return season Harrison Notman played arguably his best game for the club.

“The story is amazing, he’s done a couple of ACLs and was staring down the barrel of not playing footy anymore,” Sherman said.

“A couple of years ago he was our runner, last year I saw something in him and said I really wanted him to come and play and have one more shot.

“He did a full pre-season, he’d had some really strong twos form, and we needed another aerial presence in our forward line and a back-up ruckman for Justin Waldron.

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“From where he’s come from to the performance he put in (on Saturday), going back three years, to get over the top in the ruck and give us a contest up forward against one of the best teams in the comp is amazing.”

For Diggers Rest, Hayden Davis was best afield, while Campbell Wearne, Steven Fogarty and Brodie Meyers stood tall.

The Burras will look to bounce back against Woodend-Hesket in a grand final rematch at Gilbert Gordon Reserve, while Romsey will host Kyneton.

In other results, Macedon belted Melton Centrals by 94 points, Riddell eased by Lancefield by 53 points and a Heath Shaw-led Wallan defeated Kyneton by 48 points.