Diggers Rest outlasts Wallan in heart-stopping extra-time RDFNL semi-final

Diggers Rest captain Mitch Jensen made an inspirational return as the Burras outlasted Wallan in a heart-stopping extra-time semi-final classic.

Mitch Jensen in action for Diggers Rest. Picture: Hamish Blair

Captain Mitch Jensen’s return inspired Diggers Rest to a heart-stopping extra-time win over Wallan on Saturday.

The Burras and Magpies couldn’t be separated at the end of the fourth quarter, 14.8 (92) apiece, and were locked level at 15.8 (98) after the first five minutes of extra-time.

Marcus Calvaresi and Jaidyn Caruana then goalled in the second half to seal a drama-filled victory, 17.9 (111) to 16.8 (104).

The match was almost overshadowed by controversy after Wallan captain Michael Mannix was awarded a critical goal in the last quarter despite it seemingly hitting the post.

The exhausting win secures Diggers a return to the RDFNL grand final for the second year in a row, an importantly, a week off.

Tom Schwarzenberg in action for Diggers Rest. Picture: Aaron Cook

“It was a bit of a nerve-wracking day that’s for sure, we didn’t play that great,” Burras coach Jamie Lobb said.

“We started well but then went to sleep for a quarter-and-a-half, they played some good footy and got control of the game and it took everything we had to get it back on our terms.

“We set ourselves to make the grand final every year, there’s no lay down year for us.

“It’s a good position, it’s a different run in to last year, we had to play every week in finals so we’re going the other way this year and hopefully we get a different result.”

Jensen’s sixth came in the opening minute of extra-time before Todd Muldoon levelled the scores again following a 50m penalty.

It was deja vu when Calvaresi run into a goal in the opening minutes of the second half and Caruana kicked arguably the goal of the day with a sweetly struck banana from the boundary to all-but seal the match.

Michael Baccari got one back for Wallan but it was too little too late.

The man-of-the-match performance was Jensen’s first senior game since Anzac Day, four months and eight days ago.

“He kicked the first goal of the game and kicked six, so it was very welcome to see him back,” Lobb said.

“No, no (rust) at all, he played a full game in the twos against Melton a couple of weeks ago and he’s probably been our best trainer in the last two weeks.

“He’s worked hard and earned his spot back and definitely proved his worth.

“He’s like a late-season recruit, someone of his ability and presence, he’s our captain so it’s always good to have him back out there for his leadership.”

Taylor Hine was dominant across half-back, while Caruana, Matt Orr, Calvaresi (three goals) and Jaycob Hickey were also critical.

Lobb credited his ex-AFL star with keeping his team in the contest in the first half, almost single-handedly holding Wallan at bay.

“He really stood up across all four quarters, and the extra two, and really kept us in the game in that first half,” he said.

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“We were under the pump, the ball was getting in there a fair bit, so if he wasn’t there the game might have been over at half-time.

“He stopped probably seven or eight of their forward entries, got his hands on it and cleared the ball out, he didn’t have anyone go with him and kept going in the second.”

For Wallan, skipper Michael Mannix (three goals) was best afield, while Brodie Gilchrist, Corey Viani and Sean Morris shone.

The Magpies will have to back up against the winner of Sunday’s minor semi-final between Woodend-Hesket and Romsey.

DIGGERS REST FRESH FOR FINALS

Fresh and ready to go, it’s a different feeling for Diggers Rest.

The Burras limped into last year’s RDFNL finals campaign, missing several key players, eventually losing the grand final to Riddell.

However, it’s a different story this season after winning the minor premiership to earn a week off, the club has a full list to chose from ahead of a blockbuster semi-final against Wallan.

Coach Jamie Lobb isn’t looking forward to selection on Thursday night and it looms as an even more difficult task for reserves coach Jeff Heritage.

“We’ve been hanging for finals to get here for the last month knowing we were probably going to finish on top,” Lobb said.

Andre Headberry flies high for Diggers Rest. Picture: Aaron Cook

“It’s not been relaxing but it’s a different situation to last year when we had to beat Wallan at Wallan to hold onto top spot and we didn’t do that and had a lot of guys injured.

“We were nowhere near the position we are now with a week off and an almost entire list to pick from. Touch wood, hopefully it stays that way.

“I haven’t been in that position since Anzac Day so there will be some tough calls and some unlucky guys – it’s not a great position for me personally but exactly where the club wants to be.

“The reserves have got a squad of close to 40 players to chose from so it’s going to be even tougher on Jeff, he’ll have to break some hearts.”

While just one player – Tom Schwarzenberg – played all 16 matches this season, the club’s injuries came mainly mid-season allowing players to recover for the business end of the season.

Mitch Day was Route 1 to goal this season, finishing with 44 majors from 14 appearances, while the next best was Jaycob Hickey on 14.

Diggers Rest cruised into top spot, losing just one game this season.

The Burras won their opening 14 matches before falling to nemesis Riddell.

Lobb’s men claimed a season sweep over Wallan, taking a 21-point win at Greenhill Reserve in Round 7 and backing it up with a 24-point triumph at Bloomdale Reserve in Round 14.

While he was interstate with work commitments on the weekend, Lobb is confident he knows what the Magpies will throw at his team on Saturday.

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“We’re very aware of the quality they’ve got on their list, their kids have come along quickly and they’re the dangerous ones come finals time because they have no fear, they just go out a hundred miles an hour,” he said.

“With the position we’re in, we know Wallan, who they are and their good players are, so we just need to focus on playing our brand of footy and hopefully that’s good enough on the day.

“You’ve got to be aware of them but I always like to put myself in the opposition coach’s shoes and if I was coaching against us I wouldn’t know where to start, it would be a tough assignment.”

The match will be played at Romsey Park with first bounce at 2pm.