Wallan upsets Diggers Rest to secure spot in RDFL grand final
Wallan coach Daniel Nolan says the Magpies’ fairytale RDFL finals run is akin to the Western Bulldogs of 2016 with the club just one win away from its first senior premiership in 27 years.
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Wallan is channelling the Western Bulldogs’ fairytale 2016 premiership after securing a place in the RDFL grand final.
The Magpies’ magical finals run continued on Saturday with a stunning 27-point upset win over reigning premier Diggers Rest in the preliminary final at Romsey Park.
After finishing the regular season in fifth, Wallan has taken its game to another level this finals series, winning three sudden-death finals against more-fancied rivals Riddell, Romsey and the Burras.
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Rupertswood is all that stands in the way of the club’s first senior premiership in 27 years.
“Luke Beveridge made a comment during that finals series, ‘it’s not before our time, it is our time’,” Magpies coach Daniel Nolan said.
“It’s no secret that we’ve had a lot of injuries but with that has come opportunity.
“On the weekend we had nine players under 21 and these guys are fearless, they take the game on at every opportunity.
“We’ve almost had to reinvent our game plan, with some key outs we’ve changed our style, and we’re playing with freedom.
“No one tipped us to even win a final. There was some external noise that we were making up the numbers.”
Scores were level at quarter-time, but Wallan gained control after the first break and extended its lead at every change.
The Magpies were inspired by midfield generals Chris Barton and skipper Michael Mannix, while spearhead Matt Perri and Corey Grindlay both kicked three majors.
Alec Del Papa was Diggers Rest’s best in defeat, while Taylor Hine, Matt Krul and Stuart Clarke also worked hard.
The Magpies have split their games with Rupertswood this season, claiming a three-point win on the road in Round 3 before the Sharks turned the tables by 19 points in Round 14.
Nolan is aware it will be no easy task to topple a Sharks outfit desperate to atone for last year’s straight-sets finals exit.
“It’s probably good for the league, for two sides who haven’t played in a grand final or won a flag in a long time,” he said.
“I’ve got an enormous amount of respect for Rupo and their depth, they’re very well-coached and they’ll be confident.
“They finished on top last year and were the team to beat going into finals, they’re going to be so determined to break their drought.”
The grand final will be played at Sunbury’s Clarke Oval on Sunday, September 15.
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