A stirring final-quarter comeback saw Diggers Rest overcome a
19-point three-quarter time deficit to beat Riddell 10.9 (69) to 8.12
(60) in the Riddell District Football League reserves grand final.
PICTURE GALLERY: Diggers Rest v Riddell, RDFL reserves grand final
The first half was tightly contested, with the Burras leading by
nine points at the long break, having made more of their opportunities
over the first hour of play.
But the Bombers tightened up in the third quarter and then stepped
up a gear, kicking the only four goals of the term as the listless
Burras struggled against a slight breeze.
The start of the fourth quarter delivered an arm wrestle before the Burras’ Andrew Gleeson was taken high 10 metres out and goaled.
Diggers Rest drew agonisingly closer. Joey Piccolo had two chances
and missed both before pouncing on a loose ball in the goal square to
put the Burras in front.
Glen Caton kicked the sealer, while Daniel McCabe, who injured his
ankle early in the game, was sensational at the other end, taking
several game-saving marks late.
Coach Dave Tyquin said it was a big moment for the success-starved club.
“It’s magic – it’s been a long time coming,” he said.
Tyquin described McCabe’s efforts as “brilliant”.
“He did his ankle in the first 10 minutes and I really didn’t want him out there,” the coach said.
“I told him to come off with 10 minutes to go but he wasn’t coming off.
“He went down back and took some telling marks. He was brilliant. He reckons he’s probably got a broken ankle.”
In the under-18.5s grand final, Riddell stunned Rupertswood to win by a point.
The Bombers held on in the dying stages as Rupo attempted to
scramble the winning score, Riddell winning 8.7 (55) to Rupertswood 7.12
(54).
