DIGGERS Rest is finally reaping the rewards after a stellar run in the Riddell District Football League, claiming its second premiership in three years on Sunday.
The Burras experienced three years of heartache of falling at the final hurdle from 2013-15, before breaking the drought with an extra-time victory against Riddell in 2016.
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Facing the same opposition, the Burras repeated the dose with a hard-fought victory at Sunbury’s Clarke Oval, 9.12 (66) to 6.9 (45).
After a staid first quarter, Diggers gradually took control of the contest with six goals to one in the second and third terms to lead by 25 points at the last break.
Riddell, which struggled to find avenues to goal all day, booted the first three majors of the final term with skipper Haydn Ross converting two of them to cut the deficit to just 10 points.
But the experienced heads of Diggers Rest stood tall, with coach Jamie Lobb and clever forward Matthew Medcraft popping up to nail the sealers.
Diggers Rest coach Jamie Lobb and captain Tom Gleeson raise the premiership cup. Picture: Aaron Cook
“We had the feeling we were going to get to this day all year and it’s a very nice feeling,” Lobb said amid the jubilation post-match.
“Halfway through the last quarter it could have gone either way, but as we’ve shown the last two weeks, the boys dug deep when it was needed and just found the will to win.”
The win completed a double triumph for the Burras after their reserves team also claimed the silverware.
“A lot of people put in a lot of hours and it was good to see the smiles on their faces with both teams,” Lobb said.
Taylor Hine was superb at halfback alongside Doug McIntyre medallist Tom Gleeson, while Lobb and Cameron McCabe kicked two goals apiece in important roles.
Tommy Taylor shows off his medal. Picture: Aaron Cook
Lachie Langford (two goals) was superb in the third term, taking five marks in those 30 minutes, while Tom Taylor also impressed.
It was a devastating result for the Bombers, who were unable to replicate the form they showed in their 15-match winning run leading into the decider.
Riddell was unable to gain fluency in its play to effectively produce chances to damage the scoreboard, while ill-disciplined acts in the second quarter severely cost it any chance of momentum.
James Nolan received a yellow card early in the second term after an incident with Medcraft, only for Dylan Tarczon to be given a yellow card soon after for tripping, which was quickly elevated to a red card for consequent abuse.
Diggers Rest coach Jamie Lobb enjoys the spoils with his daughter. Picture: Aaron Cook
While not resulting in Riddell going a man down — it meant the dangerous forward could not take any further part in the match.
Paul Sahlberg, Thomas Belleville and Scott Walsh tried valiantly, with Ross and junior player Nathan Croft kicking two goals each.
Tommy Taylor tries to break the tackle of Riddell’s Peter Robertson. Picture: Aaron Cook
