By Tara Murray
Diggers Rest is in is unfamiliar territory after losing three of its past four matches in the Riddell District Football League.
The most consistent team in the competition in recent history remains in the top six, but it hasn’t been the Burras side that fans have become used to.
But Burras’ assistant coach Shane Bishop said they weren’t hitting the panic button.
“There’s still time to get it right before the end of the season,” he said.
“It could be a number of things. We don’t want to blame injuries, but we’ve had four or five of our best 22 missing in recent weeks. We’re just not finding the form we want to be.”
On Saturday, the Burras lost to Riddell 14.11 (95)-10.13 (73).
After a relatively even first half on the scoreboard, the Bombers kicked seven goals to four after the main break to run away with the win.
The two sides had the same number of scoring shots in the second half, but the Burras couldn’t convert.
PHOTO GALLERY: Diggers Rest vs Riddell
Bishop said they were beaten in the middle of the ground, which made it hard for both defenders and forwards.
Josh Wallace was named the Burras’ best, while Bishop said Luke Delahey and Patrick Jackson down back also had good games. Deven Costigan kicked three goals in the loss.
Bishop said the most disappointing thing for the side was losing at home.
“We’ve tried to make our home ground a bit of a fortress,” he said. “We’ve lost two games there this year.
“With the home field advantage and the crowd, it should be going our way.”
The loss leaves the Burras in sixth spot, but only percentage behind second.
Only a game separates the top six, making for an interesting run home to the finals.
Despite hitting a flat spot, Bishop said the club and the players were confident about coming good.
The Burras will this week face fourth-placed Rupertswood.
“There’s still time to get it right before the end of the season,” Bishop said.
“This week is a real opportunity to get stuff right straight away, as opposed playing one of the lower teams you will beat.
“It’s an opportunity to try things out against a stronger opponent.”
In other results, Melton Centrals’ finals hopes suffered a setback in a 14.10 (94)-9.14 (68) loss at the hands of Woodend-Hesket.
Rockbank was comprehensively smashed by Wallan 60.18 (378)-3.5 (23), while Rupertswood beat Broadford 19.17 (131)-8.3 (51).
MORE RDFL NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/riddell-is-flying-high/
