Photo: J8 Photography
Wallan has ended a 17-year losing streak when it toppled Riddell by 18-points at Riddells Creek Reserve on Saturday.
The Pies led for most of the day, taking on some of the best that the young Bombers could throw at them before kicking away in the last quarter to secure victory.
It was an emotional day for Wallan who only seven days earlier, learned of the sudden passing of Senior player Brent "Barny" Fitzgerald.
Both clubs held a minute silence for Fitzgerald; and also held an Anzac ceremony.
Wallan went into the contest with a relatively unchanged line-up from round one while Riddell blooded four new debutants.
The Pies hit the ground running with goals to Alex Loizou and Shaun Stewart inside the first 10 minutes, the latter kickstarted a brilliant game through the middle.
Wallan peppered the scoreboard and dominated most areas on the ground. It was led by captain Michael Mannix (wearing Barny's number, 21) at half back; Matt Thomas and Jesse Davies in the midfield.
Riddell launched into action with Ollie Messaoudi; Haydn Ross and Nathan Croft across the wing and half forward.
The returning James Nolan kicked a goal from a strong mark and Ross kicked a goal out of no-where from a stoppage as Riddell surprisingly closed the gap to two-points at the main break.
Stewart, Chris Barton and Ben Schraven lifted for Wallan in the second term. Schraven kicked a sizzling check-side goal and Loizou added his second as the Pies broke away to a 23-point lead approaching time-on in the term.
Both teams played hard, contested football that rivalled any other match on the day.
The highlight of the day came at the stroke of time-on when Riddell debutant and young gun Jacob Murphy scooped up the ball in the left forward pocket; in front of the new electronic scoreboard; and kicked a nice drop put hard up on the boundary line to bring the crowd to its feet.
This was Murphy's first goal in Senior football.
Riddell closed the margin to 15-points heading into the main break. It had a shot at goal right on the siren and one of its young stars marked it near the goals as a reflex. If he didn't touch it, it could have bounced for a goal in a bit of bad luck for the youngster.
Riddell started strongly in the first term. Goals to Scott and Tim Walsh helped the Bombers hit the front for the first time in the match at the 15.5 minute mark. Wallan went scoreless of 28 minutes and a cheeky pick up and snap from young gun Corey Grindlay ended the 30 minute goalless streak and put it back in front.
Adam Saladino marked for the Pies and kicking a goal after the siren to give them a six-point lead.
Messaoudi kicked the opening goal of the final term for Riddell as it hit the front again, but that was the last of its celebrations. Goals to Schraven, Rexhepi (who started strong but drifted out of the contest) and Jake Layley (from a free kick in the goal square) opened up an unbeatable 18-point lead.
Wallan's last goal was kicked by coach Dan Nolan. It was a big moment in the game given his close friendship with Barny.
The siren sounded as Wallan celebrated a 12.11 (83) to 9.11 (65) win.
It was an emotional win for the Pies and one that coach Dan Nolan will saviour.
"It was the best win of my coaching career," Nolan said.
"It was a challenging week for the group (with the loss of Barny), everyone got to training on Tuesday night as a group show of respect, we had 82 players at training and we started with a minute silence."
"We knew we were up against a strong team in Riddell."
"It was all about taking the game on and breaking the lines, and we tried to play more attacking football."
Jesse Davies was the stand-out player on the ground for the Pies.
"The way the boys got around each other, it was something special," Davies said.
"Our backs were really strong, when they did charge at us in the third quarter, that helped a lot."
Last Modified on 24/04/2017 13:29