A season which offered so much promise has come to an end for Diggers Rest in the Riddell District Football League.
Until a month ago, the Burras were flying and hadn’t lost a match for the season.
Four successive losses including in Sunday’s knockout semi final to Kyneton ended the Burras season short of the biggest game of the year.
The Burras, who were disappointing in the first week of the finals, started the better of the two sides at Gilbert Gordon Reserve.
The Burras led by 19 points at quarter time having kicked the only three goals of the first quarter.
It was back to 11 points at half time and then nine points at the final break.
When the Burras kicked the first four goals of the final quarter, the margin was back to 24 points with 14 minutes gone.
While the Burras looked headed to the preliminary final, the Tigers had other ideas.
Two quick goals meant the margin was back to 11 points and when they kicked a third in the 27th minute the margin was seven points.
Another Tigers goal reduced the Burras lead to one point. A behind in the 31st minute levelled the scores.
With scores level the match headed to overtime, with the scores locked at 86-a piece despite the Tigers having four more scoring shots.
Neither team could kick a goal in the first five minutes of extra time, with the Tigers leading by two points heading into the switch of ends.
It was again tough going in the second half of extra time, with goals hard to come by.
Kyneton would do just enough to come away with a 12.14 (86)-13.8 (86) win and secure the preliminary finals spot.
Hamish Yunghanns and Frankie Ellis were other standouts for the Tigers.
Ryan Mullen kicked five goals for the Burras and was named their best. Hayden Davis and Austin Cicero were other standouts for the Burras.
It will be the battle between fifth and sixth for the second grand final spot in the preliminary final.
The Tigers will face Macedon on Saturday at Kyneton Showgrounds.
