Interleague loss for RDFL
By Catherine Ferraro
The Riddell District Football League representative side was unable to match it with
its 2010 interleague opponents, the Southern Football League, who ran away victors by 45 points last Saturday at Springvale Reserve.
In a commanding performance, the SFL were able to come away with a strong win having fielded a powerhouse side.
The pace was set in the first minute of the match. Both sides were fierce in attack on the ball and the RDFL side, with the likes of Carl Groth (Wallan), Kane Bullen (Melton Centrals) and Travis Smith (Lancefield) enjoying great strength across the centre.
James Turner (Wallan) dominated on the wing and Damien Barton (Broadford) was
useful at ground level.
Scoring opportunities were few and far between, with continued rebounds off centre half back for both sides keeping the midfield on their toes.
The SFL went into the first break four points up.
With the RDFL side still to post a major score, their opponents came out firing in the second term.
They took control of the game from each bounce with efficient possession in the centre.
An early goal from Chris Meacham (Sunbury Kanagaroos) put the Riddell League on the board, but the hard and tight performance of the SFL around the stoppages was the difference between the two.
Southern looked extremely dangerous whenever they moved into their forward 50, with Luke Strickland (Mordialloc) dominating up forward, whereas Riddell lacked any drive and with a many of their forwards moving up the ground to assist in the centre, were short any real targets.
Outscoring the visitors, 6.3 to 3.2, Southern enjoyed a 23-point lead going into the long break.
The RDFL side staged a courageous comeback attempt in the third term. Dean Smith-Whiting (Romsey) and fellow Redback Cameron Dawson stood up and created numerous opportunities in the forward line for their side.
Both were instrumental in the RDFL side regaining some flow to its game.
Drawing back Southern’s lead, Riddell were able to dictate some of the play and more efficient use of the ball saw them convert with greater consistency.
Although both teams were 3.2 for the quarter, Riddell had far more of the ball through the strong groundwork of Smith, and a Shaun Sims (Diggers Rest).
Smith-Whiting had three goals for the quarter and assisted in numerous other efforts around the ground.
Although still trailing by 23-points at the final change, the RDFL side had a sniff and looked hungry.
However a physically stronger SFL side met the RDFL challenge head on in the last quarter. The visitors began to tire whilst Southern remained fierce on the ball and in tackles and lapped up costly turnovers.
Every opportunity was seized upon. RDFL stalwarts in Sims, Groth, Smith-Whiting and Dawson could not stem the flow by themselves and the SFL side were able to run away with a five goal last term to win by 45 points.
RDFL coach Shane Geddes is adamant in his praise for the side.
“I was really proud of how the guys went about it on Saturday. I really don’t believe the final margin was a true reflection of our play in the game.
“Our guys tried their hearts out. When you are playing a side like the SFL, who are very seasoned and fit, when you get banged around abit with hard, strong ball work you get tired and run out of legs. The match was played very hard and fast.”
Geddes’ three quarter time address urged his charges to push hard and take their opponent on.
“The SFL were just too strong on the footy for us to match. They easily broke some of our tackles and had the numbers around the ground.”
He had nothing but praise for Smith-Whiting, awarded the best afield medal for the RDFL,the inspiring Sims (c) and the hard work of Cameron Dawson and John Ryan, the latter managing the hold SFL spearhead Phil Smith (Chelsea Heights) to two goals.
Geddes is a vocal supporter of the interleague fixture and thinks it is ‘a fantastic opportunity for footballers to play at a higher level.’
“Everyone talks about winning grand finals as the pinnacle, but I see representative matches like these also giving individuals something to strive for as well.”
“When you look at the fact the SFL had 14 players from its three top sides in their squad and the RDFL had only two we obviously lacked some form in comparison, but we did great and I can’t fault our guys at all.”
Late omissions cost the RDFL side strength with Geddes advising injuries played a major part in the shaping of the squad.
Geddes looks forward to next years interleague fixture and believes early preparation is a key to its success.
Match results:
SENIOR INTERLEAGUE
SFL 1.1 7.4 10.6 15.10 (100) d
RDFL 0.3 3.5 6.7 8.7 (55)
Goals (S): Kirkland 6; Smith 3; Walsh 2; Davidson, Fermanis, Tasiyan, Gilder.
Best: Kirkland, Flack, Mercoulia, Davidson, Fermanis, Farrelly.
Goals (R): D. Smith-Whiting 5; T. Smith, S. Sims, C. Meacham.
Best: D. Smith-Whiting, C. Dawson, S. Sims, J. Ryan, K. Bullen, C. Groth.
Win for Under 18s
In direct contrast, the Under 18 RDFL squad enjoyed a thrilling eight point victory
over the SFL squad.
The Riddell side got away to an early lead in the first half and withstood a spirited
third quarter Southern fightback.
The final term was a thrilling contest with the RDFL side kicked the last goal of the day to seal the weight point win and defend their 2009 title.
Mitch Streiff (Sunbury Kangaroos) was named best afield for the RDFL.
Match results:
UNDER 18 INTERLEAGUE
RDFL 2.5 5.7 5.10 7.14 (56) d
SFL 1.1 2.3 6.5 7.6 (48)
Goals (R): M. Streiff 3; A. Desmond 2; T. Cuffe, D. Markworth.
Best: M. Streiff, A. Desmond, D. Toman, D. Markworth.
Goals (S): Moore 2; O’Connor, Knox, Thompson, Morris, Hickford.
Best: Timms, Davies, McNamara, DiBlasio, Holdinghausen, Baldock.
