Riddell has defeated every team in the Riddell District Football Netball League after taking down Romsey by 56 points at home on Saturday. The Bombers have faced all 12 opposition teams and have conquered them all. The job is far from over in their quest for premiership glory in season 2013 but Troy Scoble and his men have yet to put a foot wrong.
Romsey's injury list across the Seniors and Reserves tallied 40 before the weekend. The Redbacks' depth was tested so much that their Reserves team was close to forfeiting. Fortunately a few experienced players and a leading trainer came out of retirement to prevent the forfeit. Despite the growing injury list, Romsey welcomed the return of Ash McNaughton from an ankle injury.
Big day at Bomber land
Riddell held a reunion for its 1970 premiership team. Players, coaches and officials from that team gathered together to share great tales of the day that they easily accounted for Woodend. On the field, captain Nick Ash joined the 200 club, a rare and exciting achievement in the Bombers.
Tight opening
The undermanned Redbacks started positively in overcast and drizzly conditions. They registered the opening goal of the game just 10 minutes in thanks to a brilliant kick from Matt Davidson on the run. This kick pushed the lead to seven points after some very close checking by all players across the ground. Ethan Foreman started to win plenty of the ball off the wing alongside Haydn Ross for Riddell. Young tall, James Nolan, kicked the opening goal for the Bombers after he was awarded a free kick at the 12-minute mark. He kicked his second at the 16-minute mark to put his team in front by four points. They would stay in front for the remainder of the game as Romsey's lead lasted just 14 minutes. Nolan finished the term with three of Riddell's four goals as they took a 12-point lead in to the quarter-time break.
Goals start to rain as weather clears
Riddell entered the second term with a strong purpose. They won the opening clearance and onballer Aaron Blade found himself on the end of a loose ball and kicked truly from close range inside the first 30 seconds. Anthony Trigg dominated in the ruck for Romsey but the Riddell onballers fed off his hit-outs and continued to sweep the centre clearances. Romsey's Craig Robbins and Chris Wilson showed great physicality but it wasn't enough as the Bombers slammed on a further six goals in 11 minutes to blow the margin out to 54 points at the 17-minute mark of the term. Nolan kicked two to take his total to five while Ricky Elliott also kicked two as he took his tally to three goals before half-time. The Bombers registered two rushed behinds to extend the margin out to 56 points at the 21-minute mark. A Matt Davidson goal at the 23-minute mark of the term for the Redbacks ended 29 minutes of scoreless agony as they headed into the half-time break trailing by 50 points.
Romsey resurgence
Dermott Smythe, Chris Petroro and Wilson started to increase their dominance at the foot of every contest in the midfield for Romsey. Trigg stepped up to the mark with a thumping goal from long range to reduce the margin to 44 points just two minutes in. He was having a major impact on the game. He wasn't done yet and neither were the Redbacks as he added another four minutes later and Robbins kicked a goal shortly after as Romsey reduced the lead to 30 points at the 14-minute mark of the third term. There was still life pulsating in the Redbacks. The resurgence ended five minutes later when Joel Morrison marked and played on for Riddell at the other end to kick a well-measured goal. Robbins' goal was the last for Romsey as Riddell closed out the game with the next four goals to push the margin out to 56 points at the final siren, the equal highest margin of the day.
Next weekend, Riddell takes on Diggers Rest in another massive game while Romsey enjoys the bye.
Last Modified on 16/07/2013 10:20