By Tara Murray
Diggers Rest’s best four-quarter performance of the season has propelled it to a qualifying final win against Romsey.
The Burras’ experience showed through as they keep the Redbacks at arms length all day.
The Burras won 10.12 (72)-5.5 (35).
In a low-scoring start to the game, neither side was able to score a goal in the first quarter – and that would set the game up, according to Burras coach Jamie Lobb.
“Romsey had the wind in the first quarter and to get them goalless, we were really happy,” he said.
“It was a good result for us and it set the game up.”
The Burras opened up a 19-point lead in the second quarter when they had the wind.
Lobb said they didn’t use the breeze as much as they probably should have.
The second half was relatively even, yet the Burras won both the third and fourth quarters to seal the win.
Understandably, Lobb was happy.
“We played probably our best four-quarter performance of the season,” he said.
“We knew they were always going to come at us and we stuck with what we were doing and what was working.
“We put the cue in the rack later on. It was then more about getting through with no injuries, which we did.”
Cole Laurie and Cam McCabe kicked two goals each for the Burras to be the leading goalkickers.
Lobb said there had been an even contribution across the board – one of the most even in his time at the Burras.
He said Matthew Krul, in the ruck, was best on ground.
PHOTO GALLERY: Diggers Rest vs Romsey
“He rucked for most of the game with no Sean Egan,” the coach said.
“We haven’t had to use him in the ruck at all this season.
“It’s nice to see that he can still play there.”
Lobb said Egan would return this week.
He had been a 50-50 chance to face Romsey, but they decided not to risk him.
The return of Egan will have Diggers Rest at full strength.
This week they will face Rupertswood for a spot in the grand final.
Rupertswood won its elimination final against Macedon on Sunday.
The Sharks had an easy victory, winning 18.7 (115)-9.11 (65).
Sharks ruckman Dean Putt was best on ground.
Lobb said they were hoping to get the win against Macedon this week and have the week off.
“Hopefully, we don’t need to use the second chance,” Lobb said.
“There’s still some quality teams in it.”
The Burras’ reserves and under-19s football sides had losses and will play in knockout semi-finals.
In the other senior match, Wallan knocked out Riddell in an elimination final.
The Magpies kicked away with it in the second half, winning 16.18 (114)-10.9 (69).
Matthew Perri and Corey Grindlay kicked four goals each for the Magpies, with Dylan Tarczon kicking five for the Bombers.
The Magpies will face Romsey in a knockout semi-final.
