Reigning RDFL premier Romsey takes a hit with key departures

REIGNING Riddell District Football League premier Romsey expects to be in the mix again this year despite waving goodbye to some key personal.

RDFL footy: Macedon V Romsey. Macedon Player Clinton Burgess and Harrison Notman. Picture: Adam Elwood

REIGNING Riddell District Football League premier Romsey expects to be in the mix again this year despite waving goodbye to some key personal over summer.

Since claiming a second-straight flag last September, the Redbacks have seen plenty of change on and off the field.

A fresh committee is in place along with a new senior coach, while four premiership stars have departed Romsey Park.

Captain Stephen Burlak has crossed to Rupertswood, classy midfielder Chris Petroro has joined Pascoe Vale and livewire forward Zac Saad has moved to the Gold Coast.

With ruckman Cam Wight retiring, the Redbacks have been left with some holes to fill across the ground.

But new coach Andrew Bubb — who was assistant to Dean Helmers last year — said he had faith players who missed out last year would step up.

“We haven’t really recruited outside the club,” he said.

“We’re sort of relying on guys who missed out on opportunities last year to fill the spots of the guys that have left. But we’re probably going for a bit more of a youth policy as well.

“Aaron Paterson and Harrison Notman got dropped from the preliminary final team before the grand final. They’ll get more opportunity playing seniors. Kurt Henderson played every game all year and then got dropped after the first semi.

“Rowan Stott played (three) senior games for us last year when he was playing under-18s, so he’ll get more opportunity. There’s a bit there.”

Bubb said he didn’t expect any of last season’s top sides, including Riddell, Diggers Rest, Rupertswood and Macedon, to drop off the pace.

“I think we’ll be in the six,” he said.

“If we get some injuries and stuff like that, that might hurt us a little bit. But hopefully we’ll be right.”

Romsey has practice matches lined up against Colbinabbin, East Sunbury and Daylesford before it meets Sunbury Kangaroos in Round 1 on Saturday, April 16.