BRENT Tuckey booted 10 goals as Diggers Rest ran rampant in a 104-point win over a woeful Melton Centrals in the Riddell District Football League on Saturday.
It was the Centrals’ fourth consecutive loss, but unlike losses to Romsey, Sunbury and Lancefield, the Centrals were utterly uncompetitive for most of the day.
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The win gave Diggers Rest a significant percentage boost, pushing it above Sunbury into third place.
But few could have predicted the demolition job that took place at Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve.
Centrals did not trouble the scorers in the first term, and the Burras ran loops around them, kicking seven goals. There were several small dust-ups as players vented their frustrations.
The effort prompted a massive spray from Centrals coach Brian Wheelahan at quarter-time.
It was not until five minutes into the second term that the Centrals had a shot on goal, with Adam Fenton missing. They kicked five behinds for the term and the lead crept out to nearly 10 goals as the Burras kicked three.
Fenton’s day was symptomatic of his team’s. Down on confidence, he sprayed his second shot 10 metres wide.
Diggers Rest was sensational with and without the ball. Late in the second term, the defenders pressured Fenton into playing on after taking a mark, resulting in a turnover.
Tuckey did as he pleased up forward. He was barely troubled by the Centrals defenders, enjoyed exceptional delivery and shouted a warning to the competition with his double-digit haul, including a massive roost from 60 out in the third.
Craig Harvey was brilliant, while Tuckey found the perfect accomplice in Brandon Kilty, who kicked six goals.
A shattered Wheelahan cut a desolate figure after the game.
“That would have to be the most embarrassing, insipid performance in my whole nine years at the club,” he said. “We were selfish and unaccountable, and when you allow that against sides like that, with a focal point like Tuckey, it’s gonna turn ugly.
“I hope it hurts … it’s up to the players how they respond now. Hopefully, it’s in a positive manner because we’ve worked our arses off.
“To dish that up today is a real dark day for the footy club.”
Diggers coach Jamie Elliott said he was stoked with his players’ efforts.
“The real pleasing thing was for four quarters our pressure was enormous,” he said.
“We need to keep beating sides below us to stay in touch because the top four is pretty even at the moment.”
