Diggers Rest handed Sunbury Kangaroos a footballing lesson and made other teams take notice in their Riddell District Football League elimination final.
In rain, wind and hail, it was all the Burras for the first three quarters, with the Kangaroos goal-less at three-quarter time and the game well and truly over.
The Kangaroos kicked six last-quarter goals, but it was too late, the Burras winning 10.4 (64)-6.6 (42).
Burras coach Shaun Sims said that with the conditions, including snow earlier in the day, they didn’t know what to expect.
“Everything comes back to basics in that sort of weather,” he said.
“It was about gaining territory and winning the stoppages … we were able to do that and it was credit to our midfielders and wingers.
“We managed to get the match-ups right for the first three quarters. We played a good brand of footy in those conditions.”
Sims said letting the Kangaroos get some respectability on the scoreboard was disappointing, but it didn’t take anything away from his players’ first three quarters.
“We took our foot off the pedal a bit,” he said, “We rested a few, as well. Both our seniors and reserves got through, which was the aim for the day.”
Sims said Michael Evans and Corey Wright were clearly best on ground.
“Wright, 18, started in the middle of the ground and didn’t look out of place.
“The amount of ball they got was fantastic,” Sims said.
“We were staying at the start of the game, having Corey as our starting centre was a positive thing.
“We’ve got six or seven players from our reserves premiership that played in our senior team this week.”
The Burras will face Macedon in a semi-final for a place in the grand final. Both sides have a double chance.
Sims said Stephen Ruane and Lachlan Langford would come back into the side.
Chris Lawton will also be a chance to return.
The Cats will enter the match after running over the top of Rupertswood on Saturday.
The Burras and Cats faced each other in the final round of the season, with the Burras kept to their lowest score in years.
But Sims said they would take little out of that match.
“They are the benchmark this season,” he said.
“We’ll take things from that match, but it’ll be on a different ground and possibly different conditions.
“They set up very well when they get it into the forward half.
“We don’t fear anyone and we’re out there to win it.”
Riddell will play Rupertswood in the other semi-final after accounting for Romsey.
The Burras reserves side will play Wallan for a spot in the grand final.
