Wallan picks up its first win of the RDFNL season, knocking off premier Diggers Rest
Diggers Rest raised is RDFNL premiership flag on Saturday but it was Wallan that crashed the party and celebrated with four points.
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Like John Beckwith and Jeremy Grey, Wallan crashed Diggers Rest’s party and went home with the four points on Saturday.
A big crowd was on hand as the Burras unfurled their RDFNL premiership flag and officially opened their new Bloomdale Oval facility.
However, the Magpies dominated the match from the first bounce to snatch a 31-point victory to open their 2024 account in style.
It was a strong response after being upset by Romsey in Round 1 and a small measure of redemption for last year’s epic semi-final defeat in extra-time.
Reuben Rode starred in the 14.12 (96) to 10.5 (65) victory as Chris Stewart and Sean Morris both kicked three goals.
Wallan coach Daniel Nolan said his team had been ready for the challenge.
“It’s a really pleasing win, they’re extremely hard to beat at home,” Nolan said.
“They’re the reigning premier, they unveiled the flag and it was opening of their new stand so we knew it was going to be a big test.
“We put a strong emphasis on starting well because we knew they were going to jump out with the occasion and what it meant to their club.
“To have that first 10-15 minutes of winning the contest and playing our brand of footy was really pleasing.”
A blistering opening term saw Wallan jump out to a 16-point lead and it could have been more if not for kicking 4.4.
Diggers hit back in the second quarter to narrow the margin to 10 points at half-time.
However, the Magpies again burst out of the blocks in the third quarter, piling on four goals to one, to take a 32-point lead into the final change.
It proved decisive as both teams kicked four goals in a free-wheeling finale.
Rode was named best afield in his second game for Wallan.
The Magpies fielded 19 one-pointers, using just 29 points, with Sean Morris, Michael Mannix, Brodie Gilchrist and Jacob Langborne also in the best.
“Reuben’s a Wallan local, a club junior, and to get another extremely talented youngster in our system is exciting for the present and future,” Nolan said.
“He takes the game on and has elite skills both sides, he did a pre-season with Carlton over summer, he adds that bit of pace to complement Morris and (Corey) Viani.
“We played with 29 points out of a possible 43, that’s something I’m really proud of.
“We’ve injected some youth in the past 12 months and to have that as local products is something the community and committee is proud of, a premiership push with a lot of Wallan locals involved.”
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For Diggers, Campbell Wearne was named the Burras’ best, while Shaun Campbell, Brayden Cicero and Mitch Brockwell stood tall.
Mitch Day and Mitch Jensen both booted three goals.
Elsewhere, Riddell took care of Kyneton by 29 points, Romsey escaped a giant scare from Melton Centrals by three points and Macedon stunned Woodend-Hesket by 26 points.
The Bombers and Redbacks are the only teams sitting 2-0.
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