Diggers Rest coach Shaun Sims isn’t reading too much into his side’s 6-2 win/loss record.
The man in charge of one of the pre-season premiership favourites knows his team still has a lot of work to do if it is going to challenge for the ultimate reward in the Riddell District Football League later this season.
After nine rounds, the Burras are in fourth spot on the ladder, the club’s only blemishes for 2015 coming in the form of a one-point loss to the Sunbury Kangaroos and a 23-point loss against Romsey.
“We definitely aren’t playing our best football at the current time, but we are doing enough to win games that we should,” Sims said.
“That is a positive, but I would say we have a lot of improvement in us.”
The main thing stopping the Burras from fully hitting their straps has been injuries to key personnel. Forward Brent Tuckey is just one player who has missed multiple games through the first half of the season, while a number of other key position players have also been left to look on from the sidelines.
However, the injuries have highlighted Diggers Rest’s depth.
The Burras have called upon a host of young guns, including Christopher Lawton, Bradley Wilson and Joshua Wallace, who have stepped into the senior side and had an impact.
The club’s reserves side is on top of the ladder and undefeated, while the under-18s are pushing for a finals berth.
“They’re a really good group coming through,” Sims said.
“Chris has played two or three senior games and is only 16.
“Brad Wilson and Josh Wallis are from our 18s last year and have been playing seniors as well.
“It’s good for the club and good for those guys to experience playing senior football,” Sims added.
Following last week’s bye, Diggers Rest will travel to Broadford for what is a danger game.
The Kangaroos are one of the big improvers this season, having added a number of new recruits to their squad.
Broadford is currently in seventh place on the ladder and looming as a finals’ wildcard.
“Broadford will be a really tough game up there,” Sims said. “They have probably recruited the most out of anyone in the off-season and their results have been good.
“I would say they’re going to be fairly confident of making the top six this year.
“Hopefully, we will be able to go there and put in a solid performance.”
