Diggers Rest maintained its unbeaten start to the Riddell District Football League season largely thanks to a strong first half against Sunbury Kangaroos.
In muddy conditions at Bloomdale Oval, the Burras’ class and skill level shone as they out-scored the Kangaroos 5.7 to 2.4 in the first half.
The Kangaroos got back into the game in the third quarter, before holding the ball in their forward 50 for much of the last quarter.
The Burras’ defence, though, held strong – and when they went forward, they made the Kangaroos pay, eventually winning 9.10 (64)-7.8 (50).
Burras coach Shaun Sims said the first half was the type of football the Burras wanted to play.
“We moved the ball and we pressured the ball pretty good in trying conditions,” he said.
“We had a couple of guys who were struggling but put their hands up to play, which was great – and they all got through.
“We just needed to win the game. I was very pleased with the first half; the second half was a bit of a fight.”
He said the players over-used the football in the second half, especially in a “wasted” third quarter, instead of taking the longer options.
Sims was full of praise for the back line, which shut down all but one of the Kangaroos’ forward options – Ryan Pretty, who kicked six goals.
“Our thing was to stop inside-50 marks, which we did for the first half,” he said.
“After first half pressure around the ball and the ground dropped off and they got more entries and took a couple of marks.”
Josh Wallace was named best on ground.
The Burras are one of two undefeated sides after three rounds. Macedon is the other.
Sims said the Burras had a lot of improvement to come.
He said Brandon Kilty and Patrick Jackson, who both played in the reserves on Saturday, were available for senior selection against Romsey.
“We lost five or six out of the grand final team and really only brought in two,” he said. “In the overall scheme of things, it’s a positive outlook.
“We’ve still got those five or six 19-year-olds who are playing, which is fantastic for the club,
“We’re starting to get a bit healthier and to have three wins is really good.”
Melton Centrals had a strong win against Lancefield, while Rockbank went down in a big loss to Rupertswood.
