DIGGERS Rest coach Shaun Sims has assured supporters the club will not be “sitting on our hands” after breaking its Riddell District Football League premiership drought in 2016.
The Burras claimed their first flag since 1993 and eased the pain of three successive grand final defeats when it defeated Riddell in extra time by six points in the decider.
“We are still finalising the list, but we are keeping most of the team which played in the grand final last year,” Sims said.
“I’m pretty happy with the overall development.
“We have plenty coming up from the under 18s and reserves.”
One player to join the Burras is former Hawthorn rookie Lachie Langford.
The younger brother of Will, Langford spent two years with the Hawks, playing four VFL and 31 development games, including a premiership.
Sims described the 20-year-old as an athletic, smooth moving player and a great set of hands, forecasting a role predominantly in the forward line.
Sims said his team had not trained much before Christmas but was now building up to the season proper.
“Like last year, we will look to put ourselves in the best position to play finals and compete at the end of the year,” Sims said.
“It is about making the place competitive, playing a really good brand of football and make it a really enjoyable place so people want to come and stay there.
“It looks like the club’s going to be in a really good position.”
Diggers Rest is hoping to have practice matches against Hillside, Sunbury Lions and Navarre from March 18 in the build-up to its blockbuster Round 1 fixture at home against Riddell in a rematch of last year’s grand final on April 8.
