RIDDELL held on to top spot in the Riddell District Football League with a 46-point win over a gallant Rockbank on Saturday.
It was Riddell’s second consecutive win on the road and ensured the Bombers remained undefeated after four games.
CLICK HERE for our picture gallery of the big game.
Although deserving winners at the final siren, the Bombers were strongly challenged by the home side in patches.
In a low-scoring first quarter, it took Riddell 13 minutes to kick the first goal of the game, but Rockbank hit back with the next two through Brandon McGee and Damien Niki.
The Bombers arguably set up the win in the second quarter, which they dominated.
They had 10 shots on goal and kicked 4.6. The ascendancy came through a mixture of fierce pressure from Riddell’s forwards, and a lack of composure in the back half from the Rams. Several turnovers resulted in goals for the away team.
When Michael Allen booted a goal early in the third quarter to extend the lead to 31 points, it looked as if Riddell would run away with the game. But the Rams weren’t going down without a fight, and for a period of 20 minutes in the third they had all the momentum.
Matthew Krul started the comeback and Niki added two goals. Running hard and taking risks, the Rams cut the lead back to 15 points.
But Riddell was simply too slick and kicked late goals to take a 25-point lead into three-quarter-time.
The Bombers kicked three in the last quarter, two for Matt Darby, who had spent most of the day repelling Rockbank’s forward thrusts.
But Rockbank did not score in the quarter.
Riddell coach Troy Scoble said his side had plenty to work on if it was going to be a serious contender this season.
“I was happy to get the result away from home but in terms of what we came here to do today and what we are trying to build towards we have a lot to improve on,” he said. “Our ball use was poor and there are a few things structurally we need to get better at because Rockbank exposed us at times today. It took us a long time to get going.”
His Rockbank counterpart Leigh Sporle praised his side’s effort against top-of-the-table Riddell. “I was really happy with the boys today. They pushed hard. We’ve still got a lot to work on, but there were some good signs we can take out of the game.”
RDFL SCOREBOARD
Rockbank 7.4.46 Riddell 13.14.92
Rockbank – Goals – D. Niki 3, M. Krul 2, B. McGee, M. Stevens. Best – C. Jones, C. McNabb, T. Zerafa, M. Krul, T. Mainey, D. Niki. Riddell – Goals – M. Allen 3, J. Krojs 3, M. Darby 2, H. Ross, S. Foreman, B. Ruffell, E. Foreman, J. Silvester. Best – J. Krojs, A. Sammut, E. Foreman, M. Darby, J. Climas, K. North.
Sunbury 18.20.128 Broadford 4.5.29
Sunbury – Goals – D. Tate 2, J. Young 2, T. Cuffe 2, M. Leonard 2, J. Powell 2, J. Pretty 2, P. Kaufmann, L. Dowson, M. Kook, D. Pollard, R. Johnson, J. Cuffe. Best – L. Fishenden, A. Leonard, M. Streiff, B. Sutherland, T. Cuffe, D. McGovern.
Woodend-Hesket 4.4.28 Romsey 21.22.148
Woodend-Hesket – Goals – L. Macklin 2, C. Flenley, T. Kelly. Best – G. Taylor, G. Donovan, T. Jones, E. Gove, J. Stembridge, A. Shipard. Romsey – M. Davidson 9, M. Farmer 3, C. Streeter 2, N. Stephens 2, N. Wilson, S. Austin, C. Dawson, B. Notman, B. Morrison. Best – S. Austin, M. Davidson, B. Mitchell, C. Robbins, C. Petroro, C. Streeter.
Wallan 8.15.63 Diggers Rest 16.12.108
Diggers Rest – Goals – J. Piccolo 4, S. Clarke 3, C. Marshall 2, B. Kilty 2, S. Freeth 2, T. Gleeson, J. Wallace, B. Bell. Best – B. Caton, T. Gleeson, C. Laurie, A. Richardson, J. Piccolo, S. Freeth.
Kilmore 7.7.46 Macedon 16.16.112
Macedon – Goals – A. Meldrum 4, D. Goodwin 3, T. Dettmann 2, G. Farrugia 2, J. Clough, A. Christiansen, A. Fleming, J. Wright, J. Davies. Best – A. Storie, D. Goodwin, N. Arnold, J. Clough, A. Fleming, A. Meldrum.
Lancefield 14.14.98 Melton Centrals 12.14.86
Lancefield – Goals – J. Baker 5, S. Swindells 2, L. Malone 2, M. Burkett 2, D. Rebbechi, S. Woolcock, C. Burkett. Best – L. Malone, C. Collins, J. Baker, C. Burkett, M. Swindells, L. Thompson. Melton Centrals – A. Fenton 4, C. Carassellos 3, J. Armstrong 3, S. Batten 2. Best – A. Hunter, J. Bamford, G. Nankervis, J. Armstrong, A. Lorimer, P. McNamara.
