Wallan coach Daniel Nolan discusses the club’s plans after RDFNL grand final defeat

Wallan coach Daniel Nolan is confident the club will be back stronger in 2025 after Sunday’s RDFNL grand final defeat to Riddell.

Corey Viani in action for Wallan. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Wallan coach Daniel Nolan says the Magpies will be back stronger in 2025.

The club’s Riddell District premiership drought will extend to 33 years after a 31-point grand final defeat to Riddell on Sunday.

The decider at Romsey Park was its first since 2019, breaking through after consecutive preliminary final exits.

Wallan was within 18 points early in the fourth quarter, with the wind at it’s back, but couldn’t hold momentum.

Nolan said his players had given themselves a chance but didn’t take it.

Jordan Port in action for Wallan. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“The contest, with the conditions, playing with it and against it is a real balancing act,” Nolan said.

“I thought our boys, at three-quarter-time, set ourselves up with a chance to win it.

“We kicked the first goal of the last quarter and had the momentum but just fell short, that’s footy.

“When we had the momentum we needed to lock on and maybe retain the football for a few minutes after a goal to stop the opposition counter-attacking straight away.

“We’re playing against a good side in Riddell, they move the ball well, but I thought our boys gave us a chance to win it and we almost did.”

Wallan were one of the summer’s big movers before the season, adding local footy legend Chris Stewart, Reuben Rode, Shaun Stewart and Lachlan Inness.

It added ex-AFL star Jake Carlisle and John Bellino before the June deadline.

Nolan was also looking forward to the club’s young talent coming through after the under-19s finished third before making a straight sets finals exit.

He expects more off-season recruiting to boost the club and more young talent ready to step up.

“We’ve re-signed the vast majority of our list, which is exciting, to go again,” Nolan said.

“It shows, as a club, we’re heading in the right direction.

“We’ve got some fantastic kids coming through, I feel like we’re almost there, if we can pick up two or three and hopefully we’re here again next year.

“I said to the boys after the game, it might sound strange, but as a coach I feel like I’m the luckiest coach because I get to be there with this group.

“They make the coaching aspect fun and that’s the environment I want to be in.”

Brodie Gilchrist was named Wallan’s best in the loss.

Still only 21, Nolan said Gilchrist had become a star of the competition.

Steven Boyall, Corey Viani, Patrick Mahoney, Chris Stewart and Matthew Perri also impressed.

Magpies skipper Michael Mannix suffered a hand injury in the loss.

“I thought Brodie Gilchrist has had a super finals series and was amazing again today,” Nolan said.

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“He’s gone from half-back to a bona fide star in the midfield.

“I thought Patty Mahoney and Chris Stewart in the ruck, Josh Grabham is their leader and they worked him hard all day.

“Corey Viani and Steven Boyall have been there before, in-and-under all day, I thought they lead in the stoppages.

“And Pez (Perri) showed he’s still got it, we threw him on the wing and showed he’s got it in a big game.”