Chris Yeend
Romsey star full forward Matt Davidson put on a clinic on Saturday when he kicked 11 of the best goals fans will see this year as his team cruised to a 92-point win over Wallan at Romsey Park on Saturday. The visitors dominated the first term before the home side battled back into the contest in the second term. Romsey kicked 12-goals-to-one in the third quarter to snuff out any chances of Wallan taking home the four points.
BIG HOPES
The Pies had started off the year in stellar form and were looking to bounce back from a mid-season slump that had them lose to Broadford by 85 points the previous week. Dave Cornish and Glenn Poorter were notable inclusions into the team while young 18.5s star Brandon Muldoon made his debut across half-back. Romsey welcomed back Blake Henderson for his first game since June 2 when he was injured against the Hawks, while Chris Petroro and Mitch Brewer were other big inclusions in the midfield.
PIES ON FIRE
Wallan started off the game full of running. Harrison Trotman had the better of Henderson in the ruck while Justin Colliss was a rock across the wing and was supported by Shannon Galea across half-forward. He backed himself to take on the opposition on a number of occasions early in the game and created opportunities. Glenn Poorter got the Pies off to a beautiful start with a strong mark and goal in the right forward pocket at the two-minute mark. Galea and Todd Keenan kicked goals on the run and had the Pies in front by 19 points at the 13-minute mark. They were a foot ahead of the Redbacks at every contest. Reigning Bowen Medallist Shannon Green came to the rescue and worked hard on hands and knees in packs to dish the ball out to the likes of Brad Mitchell and Ash McNaughton running passed. Romsey's Matt Davidson kicked his team's opening goal after taking on several would-be tacklers in the left forward pocket and dribbled a goal along the ground at the 15-minute mark of the term. Poorter's second goal nearing quarter-time extended the margin back out to 18 points in favour of the visitors who had all the run.
THE COMEBACK
Wallan coach Scott Gilchrist was very proud of his team's efforts to start the game. He urged them to keep on running and working hard. Romsey's coach Mark Pederson urged his team to work harder to win possession. These words echoed for the team immediately. They won the opening centre clearance through Henderson from the ruck and Ash McNaughton sent the ball long into the forward line. Davidson sharked the ball off the pack to kick his second less than two minutes into the term. He kicked his third 10 minutes later thanks to a typical strong mark and they were right back in the contest. Tom McMillan brought the Pies back into the contest at the 22-minute mark with a goal from a free kick to extend the lead back to 12 points. Disaster struck for Wallan at the 23-minute mark when Matt Bell horrifically broke his leg at centre half-back. The 200-gamer is a club favourite and an important key to the team. He will be sorely missed. Brewer and Farmer goaled within the space of a minute for the Redbacks just moments after the restart to level the scores at half-time. The stage was set for a titanic battle in the second half between two physical and skilled teams.
RAISE YOUR GLASSES
With the game in the balance, the third quarter would set the tone for the rest of the game. No-one predicted the Redbacks onslaught that saw them dominate a quarter like no team had this year. Davidson kicked his fourth at the two-minute mark to pinch the lead for the home side for the first time. He kicked a remarkable dribbling goal on the left foot from 20 metres out that defied belief a minute later before kicking his sixth from a typical mark at the eight-minute mark that extended the lead to 18 points. Mills, Brewer and Mitchell jumped on the goal scoring bandwagon and the Redbacks had seven goals for the term from the two-minute mark to the 12-minute mark to extend the lead to a whopping 42 points and end the contest. Henderson dominated all over the ground, Burlak was promising, Faron James showed class around the ball and Cam Dawson was at his exciting best. Blake Holmes and Matt Robertson tried hard for the Pies who were getting monstered. Redbacks were playing the sort of football that won them the premiership. They peeled off half-back in numbers and those players shared the ball down to the forward line, it was champagne football. Mitch Brewer kicked his third goal in between four goals from Matt Davidson deep into time-on in the term. Davidson kicked seven of the best in the term and had 10 for the game. A Poorter goal for the Pies at the 28 minute mark ended a run of 14 Redback goals in 29 minutes of football. The Redbacks' midfield dominated with Mitchell-and McNaughton in career best form.
CONVINCING WIN
Faron James, Angus Story and Jake Lever showed promise in the last term. Cam Dawson's goal at the 15-minute mark where the ball slipped out of the pack and into his arms 50 metres out and kicked truly from 40 was icing on the cake as the Redbacks kicked 21 out of 24 goals after quarter-time in an all-class performance. Pederson said he was impressed with how well Faron James played and Blake Henderson's efforts in the ruck.
RADIO
Tune in to 100.7 Highlands FM this Friday from 6.30pm for the Sports Preview Show. Tune in again at midday on Saturday in the lead-up to Woodend/Hesket playing host to Broadford at the Kyneton Showgrounds from 1.30pm.
Last Modified on 01/08/2012 11:40