It was a case of déjà vu for Diggers Rest after Sunday’s Riddell District Football League grand final.
Twelve months ago, an inaccurate Burras outfit came agonisingly close to winning a premiership, falling seven points short.
OUR RDFL GRAND FINAL COVERAGE
Picture gallery: RDFL grand final: Romsey v Diggers Rest
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Picture gallery: Sunbury Kangaroos v Riddell reserves grand final
This time, it was about 10 minutes of poor football in the third quarter that ultimately cost them.
Club president Chris Payne said while the Burras finished the home-and-away season in fourth spot, they knew they could be a force in the finals.
“We knew right from get-go that we would be one of the top two or three sides in the competition,’’ he said.
“It didn’t finish that way on the ladder, but the ladder didn’t really matter. We battled hard and had a lot of injuries earlier in the year, but that’s life. We came right at the right time of the year.’’
Payne said the Burras entered Sunday’s decider full of belief after a strong run through the finals.
‘‘We won the first two finals easily, and to keep Rupertswood goalless for a half was great.
‘‘Last week, we hadn’t ever beaten Riddell in Lancefield [but we did that].
‘‘We were here today to win, but it didn’t happen.”
At no stage did the Burras make it easy for Romsey.
“Even with 10 minutes to go we really believed,’’ Payne said.
“We needed a little bit of heart. The boys, to their credit, did that, but Romsey was just better.
“Too many opportunities were missed, especially in that first quarter.
‘‘You have to kick the goals and put the pressure on.’’
Payne said the Burras had matched up well against the undefeated Redbacks all season.
‘‘They never ever had our measure, we really showed them we were here to win the game.
“We gave them 10 minutes of [opportunities] at the start of the third quarter … that can lose you a premiership.”
Payne said the club was determined to finally go one better next year.
“It’s a great club, with some of the best supporters. We’ve got to stick together,’’ he said.
“We’re going to have another crack.’’
“There’s a winner and a loser. We are the loser again, but that’s life.”
