Tom Gleeson’s shift forward lifts Diggers Rest to win over Riddell
Normally a mainstay in defence for Diggers Rest, Tom Gleeson proved a match-winner in attack as a final quarter Burras comeback stunned Riddell.
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Tom Gleeson’s shift forward sparked a stunning Diggers Rest comeback against RDFL finals Riddell on Saturday.
The Burras were 22 points down at three-quarter-time before steamrolling the Bombers in the final quarter, winning by eight points.
After starting the match in defence, Gleeson finished with four goals in a brilliant cameo but still couldn’t squeeze into the best players.
Diggers Rest were held to just three goals in the first three quarters, going goalless in the first and third terms, before pouring in five majors in a blistering finish.
Diggers Rest coach Jamie Lobb praised his team’s mental strength as they avenged a 24-point loss to Riddell in Round 3.
“We didn’t hit the scoreboard in the first half but we had more control of the game, we just had some poor entries inside 50m.
“Once we addressed that and gave ourselves a target with Tom Gleeson it straightened us up.
“I said after the game, this side eight weeks ago would have rolled over and lost by 10 or 12 goals, so it’s good to see the change in the group, the fight and belief, and we eventually wore them down.”
With three minute remaining Jaidyn Caruana put Diggers in front of the first time in the match and Gleeson sealed the game with his fourth minutes later.
Lobb said Gleeson’s move forward combined with Chris Lawton’s shift to defence was a critical factor.
“Considering Tom played in the backline for the first quarter and a half, we swung him around and the really gave us that target up forward,” Lobb said.
“The fourth quarter he would have had four or five shots on goal and he was marking everything that came his way.
“We had Chris Lawton in the forward line, he had a great game against Romsey, but he was battling to be honest and Tom was battling up forward.
“That’s the beauty of our flexibility, we swapped them around and Chris took some really important marks across centre half-back and Tom marked everything up forward.”
Taylor Hine’s strong form since the return from lockdown continued with his second straight best-on-ground performance.
“He was very good again, he’s really taking charge of that midfield group,” Lobb said.
“He’s my go-to man at the moment, obviously someone coming from his background and footy history it’s nice to rely on someone like him.”
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Brothers James and Ben McMahon and Austin Cicero also impressed for Diggers Rest, while Josh Grabham, Riley Paterson and Nathan Croft were Riddell’s best.
The Burras are now just half a game behind the Bombers in third.
With the finals series reduced to a top-four the pair look likely to meet again in an elimination final.
Diggers Rest travels to Woodend-Hesket in Round 11 as Riddell plays host to ladder-leader Wallan.
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Diggers Rest is back in the RDFL top-four after a hard-fought 38-point win over Romsey on Saturday.
The Burras were sitting sixth following the lockdown break but consecutive wins over Western Rams and the Redbacks sees the club reignite its season.
The 13.8 (86) to 7.6 (48) win sees Diggers Rest leap-frog Romsey into fourth with the battle for finals places even fiercer following the league’s decision to change the top-five to a top-four.
Burras coach Jamie Lobb said the three-week break and a bye helped his team refocus.
“We couldn’t have gone much lower than after the Wallan game, so having a little shutdown in between gave the guys some time to do some work and focus on what we need to do as a group,” he said.
“We’re on track, we’re not there, we’ve got a bit to do still, but we’re heading in the right direction.”
Diggers jumped out to a 19-point lead at quarter-time thanks to a five-goal opening term and were never troubled in tricky conditions at Bloomdale Oval.
Veteran pair Cameron McCabe and Cole Laurie both booted three goals while Jaidyn Caruana kicked two majors to continue his strong post-break form.
However, it was former Gold Coast and North Melbourne midfielder Taylor Hine who produced his best performance of the season.
Lobb revealing it was arguably his best game in Burras colours.
“He had a terrific game, he’s been good for the last month,” Lobb said.
“It was probably the most dominant display I’ve seen Taylor put on for our club since he’s been here.
“Coming from playing some high-level football he reads the game really well and, not only that, the guys around him are learning off him.
“It’s good to see him get a lot of footy but the impact his having on guys around him is massive.”
Nathan Blair was Romsey’s best in defeat with two goals, while Jack Jedwab, Mitch Adamson and Michael Tinkler also performed strongly.
Diggers Rest remains six points behind Macedon and Riddell in second and third but importantly are a game clear of Romsey and Woodend-Hesket.
The Burras host the Bombers this weekend looking to avenge a 24-point defeat in Round 3.
“We had a very ordinary effort against them earlier in the year, I think we only played good footy for 15 minutes and lost by three or four goals,” Lobb said.
“The guys are keen to make amends for that and get one back on them.
“We prepared the same for Rockbank (Western Rams) as we did for Romsey and we’ll do the same again this week.”
Saturday’s game will be Diggers Rest’s second last at Bloomdale Oval this season as it undergoes a redevelopment.
The Burras play Macedon at home in Round 15 before playing their final four games of the season on the road.
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Lobb said the club had front-ended its season to allow for the renovations and not force opposition teams to prepare in portables.
“We’ve got one more game this weekend and then we’ve got most of the rest of the season away,” he said.
“We’ve got the redevelopment of the grandstand and clubrooms starting, so we front-ended a lot of our (home) games.”
Romsey will look to bounce back next week at home against Melton Centrals.
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