Rupertswood wins every quarter en route to big win against Melton Centrals

An inconsistent line-up has not adversely affected Rupertswood’s form this season, recorded an encouraging 67-point win against Melton Centrals.

Rupertswood coach Nick Ash is pleased with his team’s start to the season. Picture: Hamish Blair

Nick Ash is regretting his celebration in Round 2.

He thinks it was the first time in his four years at Rupertswood that the team had gone from one week to the next unchanged.

“Every week after that we’ve had three or four injuries,” he said.

“So we’ve been a little unsettled.”

Bearing that in mind, the coach is rapt with how his players have approached the season to claim four wins from their opening six games, including a 67-point defeat of an “improving” Melton Centrals side on Saturday.

Played in scrappy conditions, in part due to the wind, Rupo won every quarter on its way to the 15.12 (102) to 5.5 (35) result.

With Nash Egan missing for the past three weeks, and with Brett Chambers still two or three weeks away, the defensive load has fallen to some younger players.

Keegan Guy has impressed this season for Rupertswood. Photo: James Ross

“Patrick Scanlon in his third game back from a knee reconstruction showed what he can do, his confidence is building, Alex McConville is quick down back and Matthew Elliott has been great,” Ash said.

The coach said while conceding only five goals was a terrific result for the back line, it was the result of work from all over the field: “It takes everyone on the ground to help out with that”.

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Nick Grigg was the team’s best player, booting six goals to take his season tally to 25 — already more than what he accrued last season — and the coach has been rapt with his help in taking the pressure off Todd Podolczak.

Nicholas Grigg kicked six goals on Saturday. Photo: James Ross

Other players who have impressed this year include Keegan Guy, Bailey Marshall, Bryce Caldone and Luke Cannon, who can play either end and doesn’t complain about whichever role he’s asked to fill.

“We just want to find our combo, get out there and play some good footy,” Ash said.

Elsewhere, Diggers Rest remains the only unbeaten outfit after Round 6, winning all four quarters of its clash against Woodend-Hesket to prevail by 30 points, Macedon enjoyed a six-point come-from-behind win against Wallan, Mitch Jensen recorded a nine-goal haul in Romsey’s 225-point win against Rockbank and Riddell beat Broadford by 111 points.