By Tara Murray
Diggers Rest has claimed the Riddell District Football League minor premiership.
With not much separating the top six sides, the Burras’ win against Lancefield and Romsey’s loss to Riddell was enough to give the Burras top spot.
Burras coach Jamie Lobb said finishing top was not something the club had envisaged at mid-season.
“We probably weren’t expecting that six to seven weeks ago,” he said.
“We kept chipping away and wanted to finish in the top three. The way the ladder is, having a double chance in the first week of finals is important.”
Diggers Rest, the reigning premier, had no trouble on Saturday against Lancefield, coming away with a 31.22 (208)-3.4 (22) win.
Lobb said they wouldn’t get too carried away with the win, with the Tigers at a different stage in their development.
Cameron McCabe kicked seven goals for the Burras as he found some form after missing several games.
Luke Delahey was the Burras’ best, kicking four goals from the wing.
Lobb said it was good to get some games into players who had missed some football.
In a bad sign for other teams, the Burras will have a full list to pick from this week.
“As we are at the moment, we’ll have a full list to pick from for the first time this season,” Lobb said.
“We’ve had 38 or 39 guys play senior football. Everyone has done their time on the training track and got back.”
The Burras will face Romsey in the qualifying final at Romsey Park on Saturday.
Lobb said it would be somewhat different from the last time the two sides met.
“We’ve only seen them once at our ground,” he said. “We had a few players out. We were with them until halfway through the third quarter.”
In the other finals, Rupertswood will face Macedon and Riddell will play Wallan, both in elimination games.
The Burras’ A-grade netballers will play Romsey in an elimination final.
