It is time to raise your glasses and toast to another explosive season of the Riddell District Football Netball League. Teams will be eager to hit the track in cloudy and potentially wet conditions tomorrow to give the true indication that the winter season is well and truly back. All clubs know how important it is to get off to the perfect start and will be trying to get that all important first win under the belt to launch their season off on the right foot, or left.
Macedon v Woodend/Hesket
This a mighty battle for the Bill Tunn Cup and a traditional start for round one between these two proud sides in recent seasons. The Cats and Hawks have lost more valuable cattle on the park than gained but that will only generate a good balance to this game. The Cats will ultimately head into this match as favourites but with the absence of Tim Dettmann, Brett Long and Shaun Neeson around the contest, it makes it difficult to maintain a good quality level of run around the ground. The Hawks will be without 2013 best and fairest winner Alex Shipard and Jesse Waters but expect the talented young stars to make a presence.
The Cats showed great promise in the loss to Kyneton several weeks ago. They’ll welcome Darren Goodwin into the team from that game and the 2013 Bowen Medal winner will be a key player in this match-up. The Hawks focused hard on maintaining possession in a recent intra-club match which will add a great element to this contest. The Cats will have the talls to take the game away from the Hawks in what will be a hard, physical and intense match.
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Lancefield v Riddell
Hold onto your hats, this battle of the sashes promises to be one to remember. The Bombers will look at Lancefield Park as a ground of fond memories with their last match of last season yielding a premiership. They continue to look impressive under the guidance of Troy Scoble as coach and quality off-field staff. The Tigers welcome Sean Tobias into the role as lead coach this season on the back of Paul Tilley departing. Tobias has had a great pre-season with the local talent on board and is a valuable asset to the club. He has a background in junior coaching and has earned the respect of the Senior players in the team.
Riddell have a number of additions to the team with James Petran returning to the club after a stint at Gisborne. Pat Carriss joins the club from the Sunbury Lions in the Ballarat Football Netball League. Carriss was rated as the best ruckman in the competition last year and will be a great asset for the departed Brayden Allen. The Tigers retain a good list and will be better for the run. Scott Woolcock will be one to watch this year in the ruck while Matt Bowden and Chris Burkett will continue to excite the midfield. Expect the Bombers to be too strong in this one but the Tigers will put on a bold showing that will indicate just how well they have developed in the preseason.
Kilmore v Wallan
This will be one of the closest matches of the round. The Blues will give themselves every chance in pinching victory in this clash under the guidance of new Senior coach Jarrad Carey. The former member of the Whittlesea coaching staff crosses after being part of Under 19s and Senior premiership successes. He has aimed at complimenting his young players with some strong bodies. Luke Crowley is a key name that returns to the team but it is the likes of Ben Tsakmakis, Paul Harrison, Michael Brennan and Marcus Webb that will draw plenty of interest having crossed from Whittlesea to join Carey as coach.
The Pies welcome former Sunbury Kangaroo and Rockbank hard nut Matt Reiffell, Joe Cali from Coburg Districts and Jake Tilley from West Preston. This will give coach Trevor Frost plenty to work with on top of a developing list. Expect the Pies to be a touch too strong here considering the strong bodies of Shannon Galea and Brent Hanson in the team and Matt Bell will be a highlight in his welcome return from a serious leg injury. Kilmore could easily come out and blow Wallan out of the park and send shivers down the spine of the rest of the competition, such as the unpredictability of round one.
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Rupertswood v Sunbury Kangaroos
This is the match of the round on paper. The Sharks have shown so much strength and ability over the preseason on the back of a successful 2013 campaign where they slipped to the Roos in the Elimination final. That particular clash was memorable and the Sharks just slipped away in the dying stages thanks to the boot of Joeb Ploog from half-back with four goals.
Rupertswood welcome Ben Jordan as coach of the team. Shane Bishop crosses to the team from the Sunbury Kangaroos alongside hard nut Darragh McGovern. There is no doubt that there will be a bit of extra competition out on the field on the back of the former Roos lining up for the Sharks. Rupertswood have been build up as one of the teams to beat this year and arguably the most impressive team in the offseason. Their form would almost have them head into the game as favourites.
The Sunbury Kangaroos will be a bit shorter this season with Leigh Fishendon and Jamie Cuffe hanging up the boots. This will free up Brenton Sutherland to play in the ruck. The club welcomes journeyman John Baker back to the club and he will be a goal kicking machine up forward. Dylan Murphy, Ethan Bray and David House will fire up in the midfield.
If this game comes down to height, the Sharks will win the contest, otherwise, the midfielders of the Roos will be just too strong, especially under the guidance of Jake Powell across halfback. This match will go to within a few kicks.
Melton Centrals v Rockbank
The Centrals are fired up and ready to go for a big season at MacPherson Park. The club promised so much last season and narrowly missed a spot in the finals in a tight finish. Under the guidance of Brian Wheelahan, they will hope to do the best that they can to get a vital early win on the board. The club welcomes Steve Gamble, Jake Thomas and Luke Wilson into the team to add more strength and skill. The fact that the navy blues have an Under 18s team will be ideal for their development this year.
The Rams welcome Robbie Lynch as coach this year after Leighroy Sporle moved to Queensland for work. Lynch is a valuable asset to the club with a great football mind. He and the team welcome back Leigh Sobotnicki to the team and he is a valuable six-goal-a-game full forward that can win games off his own boot. Expect plenty of physicality in this game with the Centrals to have a bit too much run.
Romsey v Broadford
Football will be played under lights with the Redbacks and Roos expected to kick-off at 6pm. Expect great atmosphere and a great physical contest. The match that these two played under lights last year welcomed 3,000 people through the gates and a thrilling contest. Unfortunately for the Roos, they will be without Barry Hall up forward for this game while the Redbacks will go in at full strength.
Judging by the ins for Romsey, they will be one of the best teams in this competition. They have the same list as last year with the addition of some quality stars in the form of Phil Lobbe who will be a stand-out forward. He will welcome Matt Davidson to form one of the most exciting forward lines in the competition.
The Roos welcome Gareth Daley from Deer Park and Steve Boyall from Pascoe Vale who will add some valuable talent to their line-up. The club has a strong list with more than 65 players to chose from and 30 players in the Under 18.5s. While Barry Hall won’t be playing, the Roos will still find valuable avenues for goal. Expect Romsey to be too strong in this contest. Their preseason form has been impressive and will step it up again this week.
Tune in to 100.7 Highlands from 5.45pm for the live coverage of this game. Listen online – highlandsfm.org.au
Last Modified on 04/04/2014 15:42