After more than 18 months, Rockbank is finally back on the winners’ list in the Riddell District Football League.
The Rams hadn’t won a game since July, 2015, so there was plenty of celebrations on Saturday afternoon after they defeated Lancefield.
The Rams didn’t just sneak home for the win – they put together a dominant four-quarter performance.
They led by 14 points at half-time, but it could have been a lot more if not for poor kicking in front of goal.
The third quarter proved to be the match-winner, with the Rams kicking 7.3 to open up a 50-point lead heading into the last quarter.
Neither side scored a goal in the final quarter, but the Rams had already done enough to secure a 10.17 (77)-3.8 (26) victory.
Co-coach Leigh Sporle said the feeling in the rooms after the game was one of elation.
“They played four quarters of good football,” he said.
“There wasn’t a lot of goals kicked in the last quarter, but the pressure from the forward line and the way the guys worked across the game was what we were after.
“A lot of goals we missed, in hindsight, I think we should have got, but the way the boys played was pleasing.
“It shows things we have implemented are working.”
Jake Warwick and Sporle kicked two goals each. Sporle arrived at the ground Saturday not expecting to play.
“It wasn’t an ideal situation,” he said. “Harley Cameron pulled out just before the game. Credit to him to make that decision.
“We thought about having a twos player double-up. Hopefully, Harley returns next week and can be part of a win very soon.”
Tom Evans, along with brothers Jordan and Mitchell Baumgartner, were among the standouts for the Rams.
Sporle said it would be tough at selection this week with everyone having played a role in the victory. He said the win was reward for the players, coaches, committee members and supporters who had stuck by the club in tough times.
“The most pleasing thing is the boys kept returning when they could have gone elsewhere,” he said.
The Rams are 1-1 after the first two rounds. They could have been 2-0, having had chances against Melton Centrals in round one.
“We didn’t take a lot out of the first game with the wet conditions,” he said.
“We’ve got such a great bunch of blokes. We know where we sit. We’ve still got a long way to go.”
The Rams will face Rupertswood on Saturday. Sporle said the club would have a look at the Sharks during their Anzac Day match against Macedon.
In other results, Diggers Rest remains undefeated after a big first quarter against Woodend-Hesket, Sunbury Kangaroos smashed Broadford and Wallan opened its account against Riddell.
Romsey was the first winner of the round, defeating Melton Centrals last Thursday in the only match played last week.
