Tara Murray
Diggers Rest was able to hold on late against a fast finishing Macedon to claim the points on Anzac Day in the Riddell District Football League.
The two sides faced off in their annual Anzac Day clash, in what is a big day for the Burras.
The club always heads to an Anzac Day dawn service before a big day of action of football and netball to follow.
Once on field, the Burras were fast out of the blocks and led 33-0 at the first break. The margin was 32 points as the Cats stemmed the flow.
The Cats reduced the margin to 25 points at the final break. While the Cats were able to win the final quarter, the Burras did enough to get over the line, winning 10.7 (67)-7.6 (48).
Burras co-coach Jamie Lobb said their intensity was the key early on.
“That and the guys’ effort, that was what we really lacked a few weeks ago against Wallan,” he said.
“We got shown up in that area. I think it’s going to be a fairly even comp this year, have an off day by a little bit, anyone can beat anyone.”
Lobb said they always knew that the Cats would come hard in the second half. The Burras were playing off a five day break, while the Cats had a bye in round three giving them fresh legs.
“It is what it is,” Lobb said. “It was pleasing the way that we started. We gave ourselves a good chance to win the game by getting further enough in front.
“We probably should have hit the scoreboard a bit more than we did. I feel like we dominated play a lot, but we didn’t quite hit the last kick into the forward 50 right in the second half.
“A few guys were starting to struggle a bit.”
Shaun Campbell was awarded the Anzac Day medal for his performance. Campbell who joined the club this season has been outstanding so far.
“He really played another solid game,” Lobb said. “Really stood up when the game was on the line in the last quarter and had a couple of massive efforts.
“We knew what we were getting with him, he’s a quality player. Really good guy to have around the club and he’s got some coaching experience as well, he’s been a huge asset.”
Other standouts according to Lobb were Chris Lawton in the back line, Campbell Wearne in the midfield, while Brodie Meyers kicked three goals in his first game for the club.
The win takes the Burras to 3-1 after having dropped a game to Wallan in round two.
Lobb said it was a real reality check for the group.
“I think we probably couldn’t have had a worse game,” he said. “I think we had two or three players win their positions.
“Not going to win many games of football if everyone has an off day at the same time. Just a bit of a reminder that you have to play hard to win games of footy, not just roll and win.
“It snapped us into action that is for sure.”
In other matches, Kyneton beat Lancefield on Anzac Day, winning 14.5 (89)-4.13 (37).
On Saturday, Riddell snuck home against Woodend-Hesket, winning 6.16 (52)-7.5 (47), while Wallan BEAT Melton Centrals, 24.16 (160)-5.5 (35).
