Diggers Rest claims its maiden RDNL A-Grade premiership
Diggers Rest made history on Sunday, winning its first Riddell District A-Grade netball premiership and the B-Grade title too.
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Digger Rest created history on Sunday, winning the clubs first RDNL A-Grade premiership.
The Burras upset favourites Woodend-Hesket by eight goals at Romsey Park to clinch a grand final double having earlier won the B-Grade flag.
A dominant intercept game and efficient shooting secured a 40-32 victory, seeing off a third-quarter comeback from the Hawks to secure the win.
Diggers’ wing defence Anica Shearer was named best-on-court for a fine display, halting a number of Woodend-Hesket attacks and quickly transitioning into attack.
The Burras lost to Woodend-Hesket by five goals in the qualifying final after finishing third after the home-and-away season.
They bounced back to eliminate Riddell in the minor semi-final before knocking out minor premier Macedon in straight sets in the preliminary final.
Entering the grand final with plenty of confidence, coach Pam Strong said it was the perfect way to finish the competition’s return season.
“What a way to finish off three years, with a full season, it’s been amazing,” she told the RDFNL website.
“Woodend were great and we knew we needed seven – or eight – strong players to beat a team like them.
“One thing I always look at is if our structure is working and they start making changes that things are going well.
“They did and I knew we had the win and the girls know that’s how I think and it lifts them too.
“Anika played out of her skin, she was amazing.”
Woodend-Hesket scored the first two goals of the game before Diggers Rest settled and snatched the momentum.
The Burras quickly built a six-goal lead in the second quarter with their ability to win the ball back against the restart a feature.
Woodend responded in the third term, narrowing the margin to a single goal but couldn’t find the goal to level the scores.
Diggers took control in the final term, slotting several clutch goals to extend the margin and run away with a strong win.
Despite coming into the match with injury concerns, Stefanie Symes and Shelby Strong both impressed, playing the entire match to help their team.
It followed the B-Grade triumph, giving Diggers Rest three premierships on the day together with the reserve grade football.
The Burras defeated Macedon 32-29 to claim the title.
Goal attack Brooke Seidel was award the best-on-court medal.
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Macedon claimed the C-Grade flag, beating Western Rams 33-24.
Cats star Taylah Chamra was awarded the best-on-ground medal.
Earlier, the Rams had beaten the Cats to the Under-19 premiership with a dominant 52-24 victory.
Lia Seumanutafa claimed the best-on-court medal.
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Grand final wins and a shock or two
Finals accelerated in local footy with plenty of grand final winners as elsewhere there were stunning results as teams looked to qualify for the decider. Here are the talking points from Saturday’s football.