Diggers Rest keeps Macedon goalless in first half to claim massive win
Diggers Rest handed Macedon its biggest loss in almost a decade to send a warning to its Riddell District premiership rivals.
Riddell
Don't miss out on the headlines from Riddell. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Diggers Rest sent a warning to its RDFL finals rivals with a 91-point demolition of Macedon on Saturday.
In an extraordinary defensive performance, the Burras kept their premiership rival goalless in the first half at Bloomdale Oval.
Mitch Day and Mitch Jensen had a field day with five goals apiece as Josh Wallace ran rampant through midfield and kicked three goals of his own.
The 19.11 (125) to 5.4 (34) defeat is Macedon’s biggest since a 98-point humbling from Romsey in 2014.
Diggers Rest coach Jamie Lobb couldn’t have been happier.
“The guys played some good footy, we defended really well, broke them down in the first half and the game was basically over at half-time,” he said.
“It was a funny old game, they were trying to make it a low-scoring game but never looked like scoring in the first half, we had so much time to set up behind the footy it kind of played into hands.
“We’ve still got areas we need to work on, it was a good win, but you’ll take 90 point over Macedon any time.
“We had some players come back in, so it was good for them to get a run under their belt, and when we can get away with a win like that with guys underdone it’s even better.”
The Burras only kicked one goal in the first quarter but exploded in the second term, kicking seven majors, while keeping Macedon to a single behind to take a 52-point lead into half-time.
The Cats improved in the second half, netting five goals, but Diggers continued their dominance with 11 majors – including eight in the last.
Wallace was named best-on-ground in a strong all-round performance, signalling he has fully recovered from an Achilles injury that ruined his 2021 campaign.
“Wal had another good game, he’s put a few together now after his injury,” Lobb said.
“He had COVID one week but it’s good to see him bounce back after his Achilles last year, that was pretty shattering for him, but what’s done over the pre-season and to now is really pleasing.
“He’s been playing half-forward, deep forward, midfield, wing, apart from the back six no one has set positions, which is good for versatility.”
Having kept Macedon to its lowest score of the year, Lobb heaped praise on his back six.
Mitch Brockwell kept Cats spearhead and captain Jason Cooke goalless while Taylor Hine and Luke Delahey were a wall across half-back.
“I felt sorry for Cookey, they would have had 50 possessions from back 50m before going into their forward 50m, so it would have been a frustrating day up forward,” Lobb said.
“Marcus Calvaresi was back and when you’ve got guys like Luke Delahey and Taylor Hine in the same backline it’s going to be hard to score.
“When they flood back and let those guys do as they please across our centre line it’s very dangerous for teams if they want to do that.”
The result keeps Diggers Rest on top of the RDFL ladder, ahead of Riddell on percentage, with a game in hand.
The Burras and Bombers clash on Saturday at Riddells Creek Reserve in arguably the game of the season and a possible grand final preview.
Riddell are expected to be without star Dylan Tarczon due to injury but Lobb said his team will have to be at their best to come away with victory.
“They’ve got some quality players in their side so we’ll need to be on top of our game to give them a shake,” he said.
“It will be a good challenge for the guys and one we’re looking forward to.
“I don’t think we can finish outside the top three but we need to keep improving and stay sharp.
NFL: RED-HOT HEIDELBERG WEST PUTS HEAT ON TOP-FOUR
LEADER: GET YOUR RIDDELL DISTRICT FOOTY NEWS HERE
WRFL: FORMER WAFL MIDFIELDER STARS IN EAGLES DEBUT
“If we can get our game right then we’ll be hard to play against, the boys are in a good place at the moment and things are tracking nicely.”
Macedon sits fifth but is only a game ahead of Woodend-Hesket, which it faces on Saturday at Gordon Gilbert Oval.
It looms as a season-defining match for both teams desperate to make finals.
Elsewhere, there were wins for Wallan (156) over Melton Centrals (48), Riddell (84) over Romsey (34) and Woodend-Hesket (149) over Western Rams (17).
Ranked: The ex-AFL players who lit up local footy this year
From the bush to the ‘burbs, former AFL players thrilled local football crowds across all corners of the state this year. We’ve named the best – and ranked the top 15. See who heads the list.
Big-name recruits roll into Riddell District
RECRUIT TRACKER: League best-and-fairest winners, VFL talents and exciting young guns, Riddell District clubs have made some strong recruiting gains for 2025.