Diggers Rest fell agonisingly short of knocking off Rupertswood in the Riddell District Football League on Saturday.
Two of the more impressive teams so far this season, the game was on the line until the final siren.
The two teams went goal for goal in the first quarter, before the Sharks kicked six goals to three to open up a 16-point lead.
The Burras lifted a level in the third quarter and dominated play and could have quite easily taken the lead.
A goal to the Sharks’ Todd Podolczak after the siren gave the Sharks some breathing room at three-quarter time, in what turned out to be a crucial goal.
The Sharks responded when needed and didn’t let the Burras hit the front.
The margin got to within a goal on several occasions in the final quarter, with the Sharks winning 14.11 (95)-14.7 (91).
Burras’ coach Jamie Lobb said it was a match that could have gone either way.
“It’s more enjoyable than going out and winning by 200 points,” he said.
“We had a crack and just fell short.
“The boys tried their hardest and you can’t ask for more than that.
“A few little things didn’t go our way and that’s football.
“We will take a few positives out of that.”
Lobb said as well as some positives, they also got an indication of where they currently sit in the competition.
He said their midfield set up would be one area they would work on, as they got beaten too easily around there.
The result leaves the Burras sitting 2-1, having played one less match than everyone else but Romsey.
The Burras were not at full strength, with four to five players still to come back into the side.
Lobb said most of them were still a few weeks away and likely to come back through the reserves to get fitness levels up.
Lobb ended the game on the bench with his leg iced, after limping from the ground in the third quarter.
He said his injury was “nothing serious”.
The task doesn’t get much easier for the Burras who this week face reigning premiers Macedon.
“We’ll get ourselves up for that,” Lobb said.
Rockbank got to sing its song for the first time this season, with the Rams seniors and reserves both defeating Broadford.
In the seniors, both sides entered the match winless, and it was the Kangaroos which started the better of the two sides.
After quarter-time, the Rams got going to win 9.16 (70)-4.5 (29).
Ricky Cameron kicked four goals in a best on ground performance for the Rams.
Melton Centrals gave up a half-time
lead against Riddell in their match on Saturday.
The Bombers won 14.22 (106)-11.3 (69).
Dylan Weir kicked three goals in the loss.
