Woodend-Hesket wins final game of RDFNL season, ready to build for 2025

Woodend-Hesket copped the Round 18 bye, which made Saturday’s win over Kyneton so important. The Hawks now prepare for a big off-season.

Woodend-Hesket celebrates its win over Kyneton.

The bye isn’t the way you want to finish you’re season which is why Woodend-Hesket’s win was so important on Saturday.

The Hawks wrapped up their campaign with a 15-point victory over Kyneton at Gilbert Gordon Oval to finish a difficult year on a high.

Last year’s Riddell District grand finalists will finish seventh with a 5-11 record.

Having missed out on a finals berth, Woodend took the Tigers down with them, the 11.7 (73) to 9.4 (58) result all but ending the league newcomers’ top-five hopes.

It’s also the Hawks’ first win over a club above them on the ladder.

It wasn’t without trying, the club pushed minor premier Riddell to five and six points in its two clashes, came within seven points of Romsey and 18 points of Diggers Rest.

First-year coach Alistair Rae said the win was hopefully a preview of what the club was capable of next year.

“We finally got to beat a side above us, we’ve had four games decided by less than a goal, all on the losing side,” he said.

“It helped validate some things, finishing on a high was really positive.

“We’ve started some forward planning and saying this is the start of 2025, we’ve had most of the boys commit for next year.

“We had a sponsors day function, so it was good to do it front of our supporters, then we had come celebrations on the night and then into silly season on Sunday.”

Reigning Bowen Medallist Daniel Toman was named best-on-ground against Kyneton, finishing an outstanding season.

The prolific midfielder could be a darkhorse to defend his league best-and-fairest despite the team’s struggles.

Will Wiseman booted four goals, capping a fine debut at Gilbert Gordon Oval, and finishing with 25 majors – sixth most in the competition.

Toman finished with 20 goals from midfield, while Joachim Liaw booted 18.

Ryley Ferguson, Campbell Barton, Jack Duggan, Tobi Duff-Tytler and Cody Bowen all had strong seasons.

Rae was confident Woodend had a core of young players to take the club forward.

“I didn’t plan to play the number of young guys we did, it was kind of forced upon us but that comes as a positive,” he said.

“It’s helped fast-tracked a lot of their development and a lot of them played better footy than I thought.

“I think we’ve got a number of young guys that can play in a side that can go deep into finals.

“We’ve got a good bunch of young guys, all home grown guys, most weeks we were playing half a side 21 and under.”

Toman represented the Riddell District against Southern at senior level, while Caelan Templeton made the under-19s team.

Rae himself as re-signed as coach for 2025.

He’ll now look ahead of the summer recruiting season to try and bolster the club’s depth.

“The aim is to keep the majority of the group together and form a strong core,” he said.

RDFNL: THE 10 GUNS WHO CAN SHAPE THEIR CLUB’S FINALS

LEADER: GET YOUR RIDDELL DISTRICT FOOTY NEWS HERE

RDFNL: DIGGERS REST BOUNCES BACK, LOCKS IN DOUBLE CHANCE

“We lacked a lot of depth (this season) so I’ve got to go hunting and try and find some players to bring in.

“We do feel it’s pretty close, this comp, and bring a few players in can help us spike up the ladder.”

Woodend-Hesket’s season also came to an end in the women’s competition, going down to reigning premier Kyneton in the preliminary final.

After winning the A-Grade premiership last year, the Hawks’ netball team is well positioned to defend its crown, sitting on top of the ladder with one round remaining.