Rupertswood's Sean Hetherington in action for the RDFNL. Photo: J8 Photography
NORTH CENTRAL REVIEW
CATH MOGRIDGE
The Riddell District Football Netball League enjoyed what was almost a clean sweep of matches at the WorkSafe AFL Victoria Community Championships at Tony Clarke Reserve in Macedon on Saturday.
Wins in the senior football, Under 18 football, and open netball competitions saw the RDFNL reign supreme over the West Gippsland District Football Netball League on a brilliant day that showcased the best in the competition in both games.
A loss in the 17 & Under netball was the only negative on the day for the host side with strong efforts in all matches making it a highly successful day of interleague competition.
Senior football coach Skip Bray was extremely happy with the win and keen for his charges to spread the word on the positives of playing interleague football.
“This performance was a real credit to the boys who came together in a short period of time and did it really, really well,” Bray said.
“At the end of the day, they really enjoyed each other’s company, we made it a fun experience at training and that really translated out on the ground today.”
The visitors got off to a quick start with three straight goals from explosive centre breaks and really looked the goods early before a steady effort saw the RDFNL reply with 2.3 to only be three points down at the first break.
“They really came out quick which we expected and had spoken about so it was just about weathering that storm early. Once we got some run off half back we knew we were in it,” Bray said.
“We really started to use the corridor well in that second term and that made a real difference. I asked them to drive the game through the corridor when they could and they really got the reward for their effort there.
“We were never second at the ball. When it hit the deck the boys got their hands on it and first use of it.”
The RDFNL came out firing in the second booting 6.3 to 3.3 and then consolidated their command of the game in the last half with 10 more majors to seal the 52 point win.
“When we went forward after that first term our forwards really led hard at the footy and presented well giving us plenty of options all over the ground,” Bray said.
“Phil Lobb (Sunbury Kangaroos) and Jon Kent (Lancefield) were both great and Rex Hickman (Broadford) worked tirelessly all over the ground and just did not stop.
“Dan Toman (Woodend/Hesket) was a worthy winner of the Karman Medal and Brent Swallow (Rupertswood) and Brett Chambers (Rupertswood) were also great.”
Bray thanked the WGFNL for making the long trip and also for a committed effort. He congratulated his side on the win and for coming together as committed unit. He also thanked his coaching and support staff for their assistance.
“I really encourage all the players to go back to their respective clubs and tell their team mates what a great concept interleague is to be a part of ,” Bray said.
Young guns do league proud
Setting the stage for the senior victory was a commanding performance from the Under 18s with a 24 point win in their clash with the WGFNL.
After a fairly even first half, the RDFNL came out firing in the third booting 4.3 to the visitors 2.3 to gain the ascendancy and run out with the victory. Dylan Featon (Rupertswood) booted five and was also named in the best alongside best on ground Corey Wright (Diggers Rest), Luke Sultana (Rupertswood), Tom Knight (Wallan) and Dylan Tunn (Woodend/Hesket).
Netball stars shine
The RDFNL netballers continue their command of the interleague competition with another win to their bow after a highly competitive match against West Gippsland District.
The 48-37 senior netball win was a hard fought match with Amy Carroll (Diggers Rest) exceptional in goals and Katie Clarke (Macedon) the stand out in defence. Senior coach Ciara Stewart (Macedon) led a supreme mid court effort with the likes of Anica Scherer (Lancefield) and Danni Davidson (Romsey).
“It was a great contest and I really think our edge came from the numbers we had on the bench. That gave us options and the ability to make changes when needed,” Ciara said.
“Credit to them, their defending was really strong and we were amazed at how hard they made us work to get delivery into our shooters.
“In the end I think it was that experience and those extra fresh legs that got us over the line. We had a laugh the older day when we worked out we have three girls in attack with a combined age of about 100, so experience must count.”
Stewart thanked all those involved especially the West Gippsland side and her players who really adapted well after only one real training session. “We had 10 really great players out there today who all contributed and did what they had to to get the job done. It must have been a very hard job to pick a best on the day.”
Amy Carroll (Diggers Rest) was named best on court for the senior match. Unfortunately the 17 & Under RDFNL netballers were unable to make it a clean sweep on the day, going down to the WGFNL side 29-39. The hard fought clash just didn’t go the host side’s way despite Keara Fitzgerald (Sunbury Lions) winning the best on court medal for the RDFNL.
Last Modified on 16/05/2017 12:03