by Teo Pellezzeri and Daniel Paproth, the Weekly Group
“BEEN there, done that” never applies to winning premierships.
The winning feeling remains as sweet as ever for the players crowned champions in Riddell District football and netball league grand finals.
The day at Lancefield Park delivered on its promise of close finishes and potential for upsets.
And it was the teams with reputations for winning that largely prevailed.
http://www.macedonrangesweekly.com.au/story/1777831/gallery-rdfl-grand-final-riddell-v-diggers-rest/?cs=1214" href="http://www.macedonrangesweekly.com.au/story/1777831/gallery-rdfl-grand-final-riddell-v-diggers-rest/?cs=1214">Riddell Bombers won the day’s biggest prize, holding on by seven points in senior football to claim the premiership, their fifth in nine years.
The loss of a club favourite, Mick Allen, with serious injury and Diggers Rest’s comeback made for a gripping final five minutes.
But the hair-raising Burras’ charge would run out of time, with the Riddell celebration at the final siren making it clear that this flag was as hard-earned as any of the five.
And the thrill of a first premiership was obvious for those Riddell players only now becoming a part of the club’s great dynasty.
On the netball court, Romsey ambushed Melton Centrals to win a third premiership in four years, ending the Blues’ season for the fourth straight campaign.
But don’t let the record book deceive you, this Redbacks run has been a story of change and improvisation to stay at the top.
It’s fun to ride the roller-coaster of ups and downs when a season that started out as a “rebuilding year” can win you the cup.
Like any day at local footy, there were lighter moments to balance the on-field drama.
Sunbury Kangaroos footballer and singer-songwriter Garth Ploog followed a largely a capella version of Hunters and Collectors’ mainstay Holy Grail with a rousing rendition of the national anthem.
Other men with microphones, RDFNL media manager Shaun Kelly as ground announcer and local radio caller Chris Yeend provided a colourful narration.
And high-profile football personality Brian Taylor, a Riddell assistant coach, swapped banter for bristle as he followed one of the day’s most controversial passages of play with a sharp but fair spray.
Sunday wasn’t all a story of familiar names lifting the premiership cup.
The first team crowned for the day, http://www.macedonrangesweekly.com.au/story/1781543/rdnl-c-grade-grand-final-sunbury-kangaroos-beat-riddell/?cs=1718" href="http://www.macedonrangesweekly.com.au/story/1781543/rdnl-c-grade-grand-final-sunbury-kangaroos-beat-riddell/?cs=1718">Sunbury Kangaroos in C grade, was a breakthrough for the team as the club’s first netball premiers.
And they got to celebrate the longest, with players still standing together in the outer with shiny medallions around their necks and huge smiles on their faces, savouring the winning feeling into the late afternoon.
WEEKLY GROUP RDFNL GRAND FINAL COVERAGE
Riddell the premiers over Diggers Rest
RDNL grand final: Romsey brilliant over Melton Centrals
http://www.macedonrangesweekly.com.au/story/1781501/rdfl-reserves-diggers-rest-digs-deep-to-beat-riddell/?cs=1214" href="http://www.macedonrangesweekly.com.au/story/1781501/rdfl-reserves-diggers-rest-digs-deep-to-beat-riddell/?cs=1214" target="_self">RDFL reserves: Diggers Rest digs deep to beat Riddell
http://www.macedonrangesweekly.com.au/story/1781555/gallery-rdnl-b-grade-grand-final-macedon-beats-riddell/?cs=1214" href="http://www.macedonrangesweekly.com.au/story/1781555/gallery-rdnl-b-grade-grand-final-macedon-beats-riddell/?cs=1214" target="_self">RDNL B-grade grand final - Macedon beats Riddell
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Last Modified on 24/09/2013 09:49