DIGGERS Rest sent a powerful message to the rest of the competition with a thumping win over Macedon in its Riddell District Football League qualifying final on Saturday.
The Burras, who have finished runners-up the past three seasons, were a class above and only firmed in premiership favouritism after a commanding 19.16 (130) to 8.9 (57) triumph at Eric Boardman Reserve.
Diggers Rest’s Shane Marchewka grabs a mark on Saturday. Picture: Richard Serong
The minor premier held a 23-point advantage at halftime before putting its foot down with a 12-goal-to-four second half.
“We finished the game really well which was a massive positive,” Diggers Rest coach Shaun Sims said.
“I was pretty happy with our first half to be honest, we just probably didn’t capitalise and we made some mistakes which they probably hurt us on. I thought our overall effort in the first half was good. We probably moved the ball to the wrong places but we fixed that up after halftime.”
The result was a strong response from the previous week, when Diggers Rest suffered its first loss of the season in the final round, going down to Sunbury Kangaroos by 16 points.
“It was a vast improvement from last week,” Sims said. “But we did rest some guys last week and played some blokes in different positions.”
The Cats are now 0-2 against Diggers Rest this season, having suffered a 45-point loss when the sides last met in Round 10.
Shane Marchewka impressed in the ruck for the Burras, while Christopher Lawton — who is still eligible for under-18s — drew praise for his efforts.
“That was one of his best games for the year in a final so that was a really good sign for him,” Sims said of Lawton. Brandon Kilty, Cale Morton and Taylor Hine were also influential.
On Sunday, Broadford was too good for Wallan at Gilbert Gordon Oval, claiming a 17.21 (123) to 13.7 (85) elimination final triumph.
Just 11 points separated the two sides at three-quarter-time before the Kangaroos skipped away with a six-goal-to-two final term.
Patrick Coppinger and Corey Hall led the way for the winners, while Andrew Saladino and Brett Hayes were solid in defeat for Wallan.
