Diggers Rest pulled off the upset of the season when it convincingly downed previously undefeated Riddell in the Riddell District Football League.
After scores were level at both quarter-time and half-time, the Burras took control of last year’s grand final rematch in the third quarter, scoring eight goals to three.
While most expected the Bombers to hit back in the fourth quarter, it wasn’t to be with the Burras winning 18.11 (119) – 11.10 (76).
PICTURE GALLERY: Diggers Rest v Riddell
Burras coach Shaun Sims said it was a positive afternoon for his side.
“We will use this game as a reference point of what we want to look at doing for the rest of the season,” he said.
“They are best midfield in the competition and we competed to stay with them all day.
“We had a few plans to disrupt the way they play their football.
“We played four quarters of quality pressure football.”
He said while the scoreboard said it was a 43-point win, it was a lot closer on the field.
“They missed a few shots in the second half, while we kicked pretty straight after quarter time,” he said. “We kicked 1.8 in the first term, but then kicked 15.3 for the rest of the game.”
The Burras were again hit by injuries, leaving them without a bench after half-time.
That made the win over Riddell even more impressive.
“Everyone played their role … there weren’t too many bad players, which makes my job hard with players to come back in the next few weeks.
“Craig Harvey, Lenny Clark and Matthew Krul were all really good again for us.”
This week the Burras will face Broadford, which will have former AFL star Barry Hall playing.
“It’s good for the club to play against someone like Hall, but not good for the coach making decisions on who to play on him,” Sims said.
“We may get a couple of players back. Tucks (Brent Tuckey) might be back and Stuart Clarke is starting to get close to returning, as well.
“Any time you put Hall in a side it will make it difficult.
“They have some quality players and we need to play with the same intensity as this week.”
