Wallan responds to first loss of season with strong win over Macedon
Matt Perri doesn’t like being kept goalless – not that it happens often – and he led Wallan to a rousing win over RDFL rival Macedon.
Riddell
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You don’t want to be on the wrong side of Wallan spearhead Matt Perri after he’s kept goalless – not that is happens often.
Perri went goalless for the first time since July 2019 last week against Diggers Rest but bounced back in style with a dominant seven-goal haul in the Magpies’ 40-point win over Macedon on Saturday.
The two-time reigning RDFL goalkicking champion put 16 majors on Lancefield the last time he was held off the scoresheet.
The 11.11 (77) to 5.7 (37) victory was a dominant response to Wallan’s first loss of the campaign and pushes Macedon back to fifth.
Magpies coach Daniel Nolan was pleased with the win and paid tribute to his forward line.
“It was pleasing for the players to respond and get a good win against good opposition,” he said.
“They beat us last year, so to get that four-quarter performance was something we were looking for and it was tough conditions as well.
“Perri, Grindlay and Fowler (when he returns), when they’re all together it’s a tough match-up.
“Perri and Grindlay are exciting players, they can mark and do it on the ground and when Pez gets in the mood he’s good to watch.
“Corey showed another side to his game with his tackling and forward pressure, which is a really good sign for him.”
Perri now heads the competition goalkicking charts with 40 majors, ahead of Diggers Rest’s Mitch Day on 34 and Grindlay on 32.
A six-goal-to-one first-quarter blitz set up the win.
Ruckman Will Brock and reigning Bowen Medallist Ricky Schraven were prolific in midfield.
Nolan said it was Schraven’s best performance of the season but said it all started with Brock’s tap work.
“I thought Will was really strong, his ability to move around the ground and compete was really good,” Nolan said.
“He works well with Patty Mahoney as well, rotating in the ruck, and I thought he and Ricky led the way.”
Wallan remains on top of the RDFL ladder heading into the mid-season break.
The Magpies host Romsey when they return to action on June 18.
The break has come at a good time for the premiership favourite with several players carrying niggles or missing due to injury and illness.
Nolan isn’t rushing his key players back, content to wait until the business end of the season.
“Every side has injuries but I think it’s a good time to reset and recharge and get the body right,” he said.
“We’re happy with where we’re at with some important players missing.
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“Jesse Davies is arguably the best onballer in the competition, Nathan Fowler at centre half-forward, Jarryd Bonello is another important midfielder, Cody Lynch didn’t play on the weekend either.
“We might not get them all back in the next couple of weeks but when the whips are cracking we expect to have our best 22 for the pointy end of the season.”
Macedon sits 4-4 at the break, Jae Wilton, Karl Staudt and Matt Knox (two goals) were the Cats’ best in defeat.
A home clash against Lancefield wait after the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
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