A rare loss to Romsey three rounds ago was the catalyst for a reality check for Diggers Rest in the Riddell District Football League.
The reigning premiers haven’t lost many games the past few years, so the loss and the nature of it, left a bitter feeling for the Burras players.
Burras’ coach Shaun Sims said it was one of the worst games they had played for a long time and the Redbacks clearly outworked them.
“We had a pretty good discussion after that game,” he said.
“We adjusted some things which we hadn’t been doing compared to last year. We needed to use the ball better.
“The Romsey game we had 60 handball receives and the last two weeks we’ve had 150. Our overall effort is improving.”
Having addressed the concerns, the Burras regrouped last week with a solid win against Rockbank.
On Saturday, the Burras put together their most complete performance of the season against Melton Centrals.
The Burras won every quarter in the 18.13 (121)-4.2 (26) win.
Sims said that was as close as they had been all season to putting together four good quarters.
Lachie Langford kicked four goals and Mick Kilty, Josh Wallace and Matthew Krul all kicked multiple goals.
Krul was named best on ground ahead of Kilty and Cameron McCabe.
Sims said the forward line was starting to click and they were finding different avenues to goal.
“We lost the majority of our forward line from last year,” he said.
“Chris Lawton, Matthew Krul, Mick Kilty and Lachie are all players that can play in different positions.
“We had another player in Jordan Aitken make his debut and we think he’ll fit into that forward line.
“There’s a good mixture of players and we want an even spread of goalkickers. It’ll take to the end of the year to get that mix right.”
The Burras’ next opponent is Lancefield, which is coming off its first win of the season.
It’s the third in a four-game period which the Burras pencilled in as ‘must-wins’ after losing to Romsey.
“It’s about how we play and how we share the ball,” he said.
“We’ve still got a lot of work to do. We’ve started to do the right things and, most importantly, the boys are enjoying playing football more.”
For Centrals, it was all single goalkickers. Michael Egan was named their best. The loss is Centrals’ second in a row.
In other games, Rockbank was the latest team to feel the heat from ladder leaders Macedon.
The Cats started well, keeping the Rams scoreless in the first quarter and continued on their way, winning 17.24 (126)-5.7 (37).
Leigh Sobotnicki and Ricky Cameron kicked two goals each for the Rams.
Sunbury Kangaroos, Romsey, Riddell and Lancefield were the other winners.
