Diggers Rest moved into the semi-finals of the Riddell District Football League with a 38-point win over Sunbury Kangaroos on Sunday.
The Burras controlled the match from start to finish, winning every quarter on their way to the 12.13 (85) to 6.11 (47) success.
After a 28-point loss against Rupertswood the week before, Diggers Rest coach Shaun Sims was a lot happier with his team’s performance.
“I thought we controlled the play for most of the game and were better in the midfield,” he said.
“We rested our midfielders a bit more through the game and we were still running on top of the ground at the final siren.”
As well as winning the midfield battle, Diggers Rest was well led by its forward line.
The Burras had eight individual goalkickers, with Callum Wilson booting three and Luke Smailes and Craig Harvey two each.
After working all season to create a versatile forward line, Sims was pleased with his players’ efforts with and without the ball.
“We took a lot more marks and we changed a few things,” he said.
“The forwards moved a lot more and it opened up the space to play one on one.
“Even if they weren’t kicking goals, they were allowing others to do that.”
Diggers Rest now gets a chance to avenge the club’s late-season loss to Rupertswood two weeks ago when they meet in an elimination final this weekend.
Rupo goes into the match after a 22-point loss to Romsey in its qualifying final on Saturday.
“We’ve learnt a lot from every time we have played them,” Sims said.
“We played well against them in the first half last time.
“They’re a good team, but we’re in the same situation.
“You have to win to continue playing in the finals.”
