RDFL: Woodend-Hesket claims gripping win over Diggers Rest to prove itself as a finals contender

WOODEND-HESKET ended a nine-year losing streak against Diggers Rest and stamped itself as a genuine finals contender with a gripping 11-point victory on Saturday.

Woodend-Hesket’s Dean Bramley sprints clear of congestion. Picture: Andy Brownbill.

WOODEND-HESKET ended a nine-year losing streak against Diggers Rest and stamped itself as a genuine finals contender with a gripping 11-point victory on Saturday.

Key forward Alistair Rae booted the last two goals of the contest as the Hawks came from a point down at the 20-minute mark of the last quarter to prevail 15.9 (99) to 13.10 (88).

After consecutive losses to Romsey and Rupertswood, Woodend-Hesket faced squandering its 3-0 start to the campaign unless it claimed its first win over the Burras since 2009.

Two goals from Rae’s forward partner Tom Gawthrop helped the Hawks establish a 10-point lead at quarter-time, only for Diggers Rest to kick five goals to three in the second term.

Gawthrop kept his side in the contest with four majors to the main break before Rae dominated proceedings after halftime.

Three of Rae’s five goals came in the last quarter as the off-season recruit and midfielder Thomas Wilson hauled their side to a famous win.

“Both coming from playing a bit more successful football, they know what to do when things need to get done,” Hawks coach Tom Carland said.

“When the pressure was right on us, especially in that last quarter, those two really stood up.”

Carland was full of praise for the job rising star Charlie Mathieson performed on Diggers Rest playmaker Taylor Hine.

“He went to Hine, who is a pretty damn good footballer, and kept him really quiet,” he said.

At 4-2, Woodend-Hesket is fourth on the Riddell District Football League ladder, one game clear of a chasing pack comprising Diggers Rest, Romsey and Riddell.

“It’s massive for everyone to get a scalp like that,” Carland said.

“At the start of the year we set ourselves to try and get two scalps for the year.

“To get one so early in the season is massive and one of the teams everyone is talking about playing off in (the) grand final.”

Sean Egan was named the Burras’ best player in the loss.

Rupertswood and Wallan will head into their top-of-the-table clash on Saturday with unblemished records after comfortable wins in Round 6.

The Magpies hammered Melton Centrals by 75 points, while the Sharks mauled Rockbank by 213 as Todd Podolczak (11 goals) and Cameron McRorie (10) feasted on the Rams’ defence.

Macedon held Broadford scoreless in a 168-point demolition, Riddell accounted for Romsey by 67 and Sunbury Kangaroos downed Lancefield by 127.