Chris Yeend
It may not have been the biggest match on paper for the round but Riddell had to work hard at every contest to keep ahead of rival Lancefield. In muddy and sometimes drizzling conditions, the Tigers pushed the Bombers to within 31 points at siren's end in a physically intense clash at the Riddells Creek Reserve.
FIRST GAMER
Riddell Reserves full forward Matt Vandenberg played his first senior game. The young Bombers star received the phone call in the morning after ruckman Brayden Allen was unavailable. The 19-year-old started at full forward and had a big impact on the game.
MUDDY START
The Bombers wasted chances in front of goal early as they kicked to the train station-end of the ground. They kicked four points in the first nine minutes before first-gamer Matt Vandenberg kicked a brilliant goal at the 10-minute mark to stamp his authority. It would take just two more minutes to get his second chance as he marked in typical true fashion and goaled to put the margin out to 16 points. The Tigers had a very open forward line with star forward John Baker playing one out with Bombers backman Nick Ash in the forward 60. Baker would kick his first goal of the game approaching time-on when Ash lost his footing and Baker hurdled over his opponent like Sally Pearson, picked up the ball and goaled from 30 metres out. Vandenberg replied just a minute later with his third goal and was unstoppable as the Bombers led by 16 points at quarter-time.
FLOOD GATES OPEN
The goals started to flow in the second term as the inaccurate Bombers of the first term stayed on the bench. Ricky Elliott, Jarryd Silvester, Haydn Ross and Vandenberg would all kick goals as the Tigers could manage just one behind and trailed by 43 points at half-time.
FIGHTING TIGERS
Lancefield could have easily gone through the motions in the second half but was prepared to match the Bombers in every area of the ground. While Andrew McCabe was dominating off half-back for the Bombers, it was Chris Burkett that continued to pick up the heavy Burley as though it was a dry day and he had great support from his brother Matt as they shared the ball and maintained possession. Baker kicked two of the opening three goals inside the first 12 minutes of the quarter as the likes of Robbie Rowe and Asiea Fonua started to win the ball through the middle. The margin closed to within six goals before a silly error in play resulted in Matt Sammut winning a free kick in the middle of the ground and receiving two 50-metre penalties that put him on the goal line to extend the margin again. Rowe's goal for the Tigers five minutes later was spectacular from the left forward pocket but it was Cam Casson who outdid the youngster four minutes later into time-on with an unbelievable snap around the body on the boundary line that defied belief for a goal to put the margin out to 42 points at three-quarter-time.
Lyndon Thompson battled hard in the ruck for Lancefield against young gun James Nolan. Chris James used his size and strength to win lots of the ball across half-back to give the likes of Matt Bowden and Noa Fonua first use of the ball through the middle for the visitors. Asiea Fonua goaled on the run at the seven-minute mark to reduce the margin to 36 points and Baker kicked his fourth with a brilliant snap over his shoulder in the right forward pocket to reduce the margin to 30 points at the 11-minute mark. Lancefield finished the game strongly and will head into this week's game against the Hawks full of confidence. Riddell youngsters Tim Rowsell and Darcy Beddgood battled hard along the wing while Haydn Ross was tireless around the ball. The Bombers prevailed by 31 points and await Rockbank at home.
RADIO
Tune into 100.7 Highlands FM this Friday from 6.30pm and Saturday from 12pm for the Sports Preview Show and hear the latest from behind the scenes of your team. Catch all the action as Macedon plays host to Kilmore at the Tony Clarke Reserve on 100.7 Highlands FM from 1.30pm.
NETBALL
Lancefield Football and Netball Club is looking for expressions of interest from netball coaches in A, B and C Grades for 2013. The club is focused on recruiting players to join its A Grade side and welcomes anyone with new ideas to take on administrative roles and encourage growth and consolidation in netball throughout the club. Those interested may contact club president Ian Brown on 0407 291 517 or netball coordinator Mel Bratovic on 0432 714 962.
Last Modified on 14/08/2012 11:03