What’s happened in the past will be irrelevant for Diggers Rest when the first ball is bounced for Sunday’s Riddell District Football League grand final.
The Burras, who finished fourth on the ladder, overcame a slow start against Riddell to win through to their second-straight grand final with a 11.15 (81) to 10.9 (69) win in Lancefield on Saturday.
Diggers Rest will square off with unbeaten Romsey in Sunday’s decider.
The Burras bounced back after Riddell made all the early running in Saturday’s preliminary final, with the Bombers out to a three-goal lead by half-time.
Burras coach Shaun Sims said his players simply couldn’t get their hands on the ball.
“Riddell started the better of the two sides and we couldn’t win the footy for the first quarter and a half,’’ Sims said.
“They picked a team full of runners … they were winning the ball and we were caught on the back foot. They set up to get the game on their terms.’’
The Burras started to get into the game in the second quarter.
PICTURE GALLERY: 2013 RDFL grand final Riddell v Diggers Rest
“Again, we didn’t make the most of our opportunities on the scoreboard. But the most pleasing thing was that we believed we were in the game at half time.”
Few people would have tipped Diggers Rest to win when the Burras entered the last quarter trailing by four points.
“Everything was against us,’’ Sims said.
‘‘We were down and we don’t have the best record at Lancefield.
“But I knew at three-quarter time that if a few blokes stood up, and with Riddell losing a few players with injuries, we could get enough inside 50s to score goals.’’
Luke Smailes was among those who stood tall for the Burras, booting three goals in the last term.
Riddell’s league-leading goalkicker Brian Ruffells kicked five goals in a losing side.
Despite the win, the Burras know they still have a lot of work to do.
“Full credit to Riddell, they played really well,’’ Sims said. “They taught our boys a valuable football lesson.”
The Burras will face the might of undefeated Romsey in Sunday’s grand final.
Both sides have experienced recent heartbreak, having lost the last two grand finals between them. “Everyone on the planet will pick Romsey to win, but that’s no worry for us,” Sims said.
He said last year’s grand final loss would provide some motivation but wouldn’t be a major focus.
“It’s a completely different side to last year. All of that stuff is insufficient once the ball is bounced.”
