Rupertswood smashes Wallan to claim historic RDFL premiership
Rupertswood erased the heartache of last year’s straight sets finals exit in the best way possible, a thumping grand final victory over Wallan and maiden RDFL premiership.
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Rupertswood has accomplished what it has long threatened to achieve, winning its first Riddell District Football League premiership.
The Sharks have made the top six every season since making the move from the VAFA in 2013, breaking through for their first RDFL finals win in 2017, before claiming the silverware on Sunday.
Rupo ran riot against a somewhat undermanned Wallan, which was on its own quest for history, but the Magpies’ bid for a first premiership since 1992 must wait at least another year.
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An early advantage with the breeze in the first quarter was quickly extrapolated upon during a dominant second 30 minutes, led by Doug McIntyre medallist Nick Grigg.
The full-forward nailed his team’s first four goals of the term — finishing with seven — as Rupo shot out to a 48-point half-time lead.
A shell-shocked Wallan performance was best illustrated when star forward Matt Perri, who entered the day with 104 majors to his name, mis-kicked from the goal-square into the gleeful arms of his opponent on the line, with the ball rebounding up the other end for yet another Sharks major.
Despite the heavy margin, the game continued to involve plenty of hard hits around the contest, but Rupo’s better delivery inside its forward 50m arc ultimately reaped dividends in the 21.10 (136) to 8.3 (51) win.
Rupertswood coach Nick Ash said it was “a proud moment” for the club.
“For the first four or five years when we came to the RDFL, we couldn’t win a final and we had that monkey hanging over our heads until we cracked two finals wins in 2017,” he said.
“Going out in straight sets last year was pretty hard to take … but everyone had that belief from the moment we started (this year).
“We had a common goal, we committed to each other and we got the result at the end.”
While the Sharks predominantly comprise players who have come through their junior ranks, they found the right recruits to boost the club to its first premiership since 2009 when competing in the VAFA.
Chief among those was ruckman Dean Putt, who was an enormous presence during the game and throughout the finals series, while Grigg came into his own with 70 majors during 2019 after making the move from East Keilor midway through last season.
“The locals were huge,” Ash, who came to Rupo in 2016, said.
“They’re the ones who have been here all through their juniors, and that’s massive, but then the recruits we brought in were the right fit for the club moving forward and that’s why we got the result.”
In his second year as senior coach, Ash also paid tribute to his predecessor, Kevin Fitzgerald, as well as the host of coaches alongside him.
“He started the push and drive in the direction they’ve been in — he made a massive mark on this side today,” Ash said.
“But it is the junior coaches these players have had through the club to make them who they are, to make them good people.
“They are good footballers and good people. It’s a pleasure to coach them.”
Cameron McRorie and Matthew Knight finished with three goals apiece, while the likes of Billy Cannolo, Sean Hetherington, Kayne Murphy and skipper Brent Swallow impressed throughout.
Skipper Michael Mannix was named Wallan’s best player, with the likes of Shaun Stewart, Brenton Cox, Danny O’Sullivan and Michael Tang working hard.
The result wrapped up an extraordinarily successful day for Rupertswood, which claimed five of the seven premierships on offer, having a team playing in every football and netball decider.
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