Picture gallery: RDFL | Diggers Rest v Riddell
Diggers Rest overcame a spirited first half effort from Riddell to score a convincing win in the Riddell District Football League.
The two sides were goal for goal in the first half at Bloomdale Oval with neither able to exert control.
The ball spent most of the half in the middle of the ground, as both teams were made to pay for bad disposal into their forward 50s.
The Burras kicked away in the second half with 12 goals to none to win 16.14 (110) – 4.8 (32) over the undermanned Bombers.
Burras coach Shaun Sims said his side did what it needed to in the second half to get the result.
“The performance in the second half was what we expected,” Sims said.
“I was more interested in seeing us look to be a communicative side and in the second half we did that.
“We won the ball and used it a bit better, which was the difference. They [Bombers] didn’t look like scoring in that second half.”
Luke Smailes kicked six goals after being down in the pre-season, while the Burras’ backline, led by Luke Ryan, Tom Gleeson and Jason Williams, was brilliant.
Sims, who was playing coach last season, is set to coach from the sidelines this year.
On Saturday he played in the reserves.
Diggers Rest’s Patrick Jackson climbs over Riddell’s Brayden Allen. Photo: Shawn Smits
“I’m just having a run around with them and concentrating on coaching in the seniors. It’s a complex environment and I’m needed on the sidelines.”
Bombers coach Troy Scoble knew his side would struggle to run out the game.
Already severely undermanned, the Bombers were struck by injuries in the first half.
“We just ran out of players and were really undone … we knew we would only have a certain lifespan.
“We lost players in the warm-up and had no rotations after half-time with only one fresh player on the bench.
“One player had to play eight quarters. You’re never happy to lose by that margin, though.”
Scoble said Tommy Alkemade, Adam Vankuyk and Paul Vandenberg all came off injured, though none with long-term effects.
While the injuries limited the Bombers’ impact onfield, they have given the club’s younger players an opportunity.
“We had 11 players with under three games’ experience and we’re looking forward to giving the young guys a go,” Scoble said.
“We won’t get our season rolling for five or six weeks, when we get our best players back.”
The other weekend winners were Sunbury Kangaroos, Macedon, Melton Centrals and Wallan.
