Wallan wins through to RDFNL grand final, defeating Macedon in preliminary final
Wallan returns to the RDFNL grand final stage, defeating Macedon in the preliminary final, and is looking to cause a boilover on the big stage.
Riddell
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Wallan is back on the Riddell District grand final stage for the first time since 2019.
After back-to-back preliminary finals, the Magpies won through to next Sunday’s decider with a 27-point win over a red-hot Macedon at Kyneton Showgrounds on Saturday.
It was an important response to last week’s 35-point semi-final loss and put an end to the Cats’ finals surge, which had seen it charge from fifth to the penultimate game.
The 9.8 (62) to 5.5 (35) victory now gives Wallan another shot at minor premier Riddell and a chance to end the club’s 32-year flag drought.
Magpies coach Daniel Nolan said opportunities like this were why we play football.
“It’s great for the club and town to play in the grand final, our boys have worked pretty hard for the last couple of years,” Nolan said.
“We’ve had a good year, finished second and stats wise the best attack and second best defence.
“We’ve had some good battles with Riddell, not just this year but over the last couple of seasons.
“I’ve got a lot of belief in our group, I think we’ve got a good mix of youth and leadership.
“Grand final day is what we play for, I told the boys to enjoy the week, and it’s a challenge but I reckon we’re up to it.”
Both teams cranked up the pressure in the first half.
Wallan kicked the first two goals of the game – and the only majors of the first quarter to jump out to a 12-point lead.
Macedon immediately pegged it back in the second term and went into half-time with scores level.
However, the Magpies found another gear in the second half.
A four-goal third quarter created a 14-point three-quarter-time lead and they didn’t look back.
Macedon was held scoreless in the fourth term and Wallan added a pair of majors to wrap up victory.
“The first half, there was a lot of stoppages and contested ball, which you expect in a final,” Nolan said.
“They’re a good side Macedon, they’re young and going to be right up there in the next couple of years and Al Meldrum is a great coach.
“It was hot early but I think in the third quarter we managed to get it on our terms, our leaders stepped up.
“Steve Boyall was outstanding, Brodie Gilchrist and Chris Stewart and we’ve moved Jake Carlisle to centre half-back in the last couple of weeks.
“We had outside speed from Riley Gilchrist and Reuben Rode, which allowed the spread.”
Brodie Gilchrist was named best-on-ground in the win, having an impact through the midfield and across half-back.
Ty Franks was given the all-important job of stopping Macedon’s seven-goal semi-final hero and captain Jason Cooke, limiting him to two goals.
Steven Boyall, Corey Viani, Patrick Mahoney and John Bellino (three goals) also impressed.
“Brodie has the ability to have an impact on-ball and read the play as a half-back flank with his intercept marking,” Nolan said.
“He’s a superstar in the making, he made the team of the year last year and I just loves the way he goes about it.
“Ty Franks did an amazing job on Cooke, who was sensational last week with seven goals.
“He’s played premier footy at Hurstbridge, so he’s played a high level and can also go in the midfield, but we gave him the big job – we’ve got a lot of respect for Cookey – and he was amazing.”
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For Macedon, Jacob Gough, Lachlan Hay, Aaron Morham and Zach Smedley stood tall.
Wallan will now try to turn the tables on Riddell having lost the major semi-final and both home-and-away clashes by 21 and 18 points respectively.
While the seniors won through, The Magpies’ reserves lost the preliminary final by 10 points to Diggers Rest.
The Burras will take on Romsey for the reserves title, while in the under-19s, Gisborne Giants will look to step up to senior football with a premiership behind it and face Kyneton.
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