Wallan defeats Romsey to regain third place, mid-season recruits debut

Wallan received a timely boost with the arrival of two late recruits, Jake Carlisle and John Bellino making their debuts in a critical win over top-three rival Romsey.

Mason Bowden celebrates a goal for Wallan. Picture: George Sal

Two late mid-season recruits have helped Wallan secure a critical 26-point win over RDFNL top-five Romsey.

The Magpies added ex-AFL star Jake Carlisle and key forward John Bellino from EDFL club Craigieburn before the June 30 deadline and the pair made their debuts at Romsey Park on Saturday.

Former Essendon and St Kilda big man Carlisle booted two goals and was named in the best, while Bellino also made a strong impact.

After a three-quarter arm-wrestle, a dominant last quarter was enough for Wallan to emerge victorious 6.14 (50) to 3.6 (24).

Magpies skipper Michael Mannix said the recruits’ arrival was a timely boost for Wallan as it battles for a top-three finish.

Jacob Langborne in action for Wallan. Picture: George Sal

“We’re very fortunate with that at this time of year, we’ve got quite a few connections at Craigieburn,” Mannix said.

“It stems from Nugget himself and a few of the other boys, Steve Boyall, have played footy with them in the past.

“They’re the sort of players that complement our list.

“We’ve got a young, quick side and to get a couple of big boys in the forward line – the week before against Riddell we had the shots but didn’t convert – so it puts a bit of leadership down there.

“Speaking to John before the game he was really nervous, which I appreciated, it was good to see how much he cared how he goes about it and what he can provide us.”

In a low-scoring affair, Wallan had its nose in front all day.

The Magpies held a 13-point lead at quarter-time and half-time, taking advantage of Romsey’s inaccurate 1.4 in the first half.

The Redbacks found their rhythm in the third quarter and were within a kick until a late Wallan goal made it a 10-point ball game entering the final term.

John Bellino celebrates a goal for Craigieburn. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Jake Carlisle has crossed from Craigieburn. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The visitors took their game to a new level, despite inaccuracy, kicking 2.5 and keeping the hosts to a single behind.

Mannix said the goal just before three-quarter-time was critical.

“It turned the momentum, they were pushing and pushing,” he said.

“We learnt a lesson from last time, last time we let them get a run on and they came home with a wet sail, and we’re trying to improve our four-quarter football – it’s lapses that have killed us in all our losses.

“We put ourselves in a good position for most of the day but they certainly pushed us.

“Shermo has got them playing a really attacking brand of football, they use the corridor a lot and aren’t afraid to pull the trigger on their kicks coming out of the backline.

“At the end of the day we doubled their score but we weren’t that far in front because it was such a low-scoring day.”

The result sees Wallan leap-frog Romsey up to third on percentage.

The Magpies are a game behind Diggers Rest and face the reigning premier at Greenhill Reserve on Saturday with second spot up for grabs.

Wallan claimed a commanding 31-point lead in the Round 2 meeting and are confident of making a strong run to finals.

“The top three is really important in terms of the double chance and setting yourself up for finals,” Mannix said.

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“We’ve seen what Kyneton has been able to do, what Romsey has done to Diggers Rest, there’s four or five teams vying for the top-three so (Saturday) was a real eight-point game.

“We’ve got a big game against Diggers, it’s another eight-point game, and everyone is chomping at the bit.

“Having two extra players come in really improves our depth, so there’s no spots granted everyone has to work for them and you can feel that buzz around the place.”

Elsewhere, Diggers Rest squeezed past Macedon by 10 points, Riddell smashed Kyneton by 74 points and Woodend-Hesket edged Lancefield by three points.