Tara Murray
Diggers Rest ticked the box and came away with the four points against Riddell in the Riddell District Football League grand final rematch.
While it was the Bombers who got the glory on that one day in September last year, the Burras got the last laugh on Saturday.
The Burras led throughout the game, but weren’t able to break the Bombers, who stayed in touch throughout.
The Burras did enough to get the four points, winning 9.9 (63)-7.6 (48).
Burras coach Jamie Lobb said they were happy to come home from Riddell with the points.
“It was a just win, but we put the four points in the bank and away we go,” he said.
“It was a pretty good game. We had five or six that didn’t get up and we knew that it would bring us back to where they are at the moment.
“We had a two to three goal buffer through most of the game, but it never felt like we were going to lose.”
Lobb said the most pleasing thing from their perspective was guys who have had quieter seasons so far, stepping up and taking the pressure off some of the others.
Jaidyn Caruana kicked three goals for the Burras and was named their best alongside Tommy Schwarzenberg and Lachlan Hickey.
“That was probably Caruana’s best game for the club,” Lobb said. “Since he’s come to the club he’s been injured and COVID. It was nice to get a full pre-season into him and put some games together.
“Tommy Schwarzenberg has moved into the back line and has been good, while Lachlan Hickey, one of the new guys, had his best game for the club.”
The win has the Burras sitting undefeated after five rounds, with four wins and a bye.
Lobb said it was a good starting point for them.
“We’ve beaten Macedon at Macedon and Riddell at Riddell,” he said. “We’re not playing our best footy by any means, we have high expectations of what we want and we aren’t there yet.”
The Burras this week face the Western Rams.
Lobb said Mark Orr would be back from suspension, while Deven Costigan was a chance to return.
He said Taylor Hine, Josh Flower and Austin Cicero would likely miss again, with the Lobb saying they weren’t going to take any risks with matches against Wallan and Romsey to come.
Lobb said the Rams present a different test this week.
“It’s another challenge for us and their focus,” he said. “Western Rams are on the improve, but are still a way off.
“We’ll approach the game like normal and see how they go out there.”
On Saturday, the Rams lost to Romsey, 20.12 (132)-4.3 (27), while Woodend-Hesket beat Melton Centrals, 8.10 (58)-2.7 (19).
Macedon beat Lancefield in the other game.
