Diggers Rest players went into the Riddell District Football League reserves grand final against Sunbury Kangaroos seeking redemption – and they got it.
After losing to the Kangaroos in last year’s grand final, the Burras were determined history would not repeat itself.
The Burras kicked the first two goals of the match but the Kangaroos matched that and levelled the scores heading into quarter-time.
From that point, it was all the Burras – they kicked the next seven goals to lead by 47 points at the main break.
The Kangaroos kicked the first two goals of the second half, but that was it. The Burras snuffed out the Kangaroos’ hopes of a third straight reserves premiership.
Having kept the Kangaroos goal-less in the second quarter, they did it again in the fourth quarter for a big 17.14 (116)-5.4 (34) win.
Steven Freeth kicked four goals for the Burras, while Chris Lawton, Brad Sluggett and Brad Wilson were named the side’s best.
Burras coach Antes Power, who came across to the club this year from Riddell, said that while the side had played in the grand final last
year, the players considered this year a fresh start.
“They wanted something different and something fresh,” he said.
“They were always going all the way – someone had to take it from them.”
Power said the key was getting a match-winning margin early on to ensure the Kangaroos couldn’t come from behind a second straight year.
“They’re a quality side and they have won two premierships,” he said.
“We had to work really hard in that first quarter to break them. When we broke them, we controlled the game for most of the last three quarters.
“I don’t think anyone really missed out … everyone got the medal [across the two grades].
“That’s what’s really good – that it’s a whole club thing and a great day for the Burras.
“We’ll be strong for a few years … [there’s] a lot of young talent and a number of under-18.5s coming through next year.”
