Diggers Rest reasserts its RDFNL authority, beating premiership rival Riddell

Riddell’s undefeated start to the RDFNL season is over as reigning premier Diggers Rest finished the stronger in an early finals preview.

Mitchell Day in action for Diggers. Picture: Josh Chadwick

Diggers Rest reasserted its authority over the RDFNL on Saturday, ending Riddell’s undefeated start to the season.

In a tense, contested top-of-the-table clash, the reigning premier was clinical in the last quarter to claim an eight-point victory.

The Bombers had led at every change but couldn’t finish the job, left to rue a wayward 1.4 finish, as the Burras triumphed 8.6 (54) to 6.10 (46) at Bloomdale Oval.

Despite the loss, Riddell retains top spot on the ladder, a game clear of the Burras and Romsey.

After a fortnight off, Burras coach Jamie Lobb was very pleased with how his players dealt with a physical match.

Diggers Rest coach Jamie Lobb. Picture: Josh Chadwick

“We set ourselves, we’d had two weeks off leading up to it, so we had plenty of time to put work into that game and the guys executed everything really well,” Lobb said.

“We were always in the game but we could see in the back half of each quarter they were tiring, even the first quarter.

“We knew if we could stay close enough we’d run over them late and that’s what happened.

“We were in the game in the first three quarters more than what the scoreboard showed, our entry kicks just cost us a bit.”

Riddell jumped out to a four-point lead at quarter-time but could have been further in front of not for 2.4 in front of goal.

The margin remained at four points as both sides booted two goals in the second term but it narrowed to a single point at three-quarter-time, setting up a thrilling finale.

Diggers finished the stronger with 3.1 to finish over the top of its arch-rival.

Rucking solo for much of the day, Hayden Davis was named the Burras best-on-ground in the win, while Ben McMahon continued his outstanding form and Jaidyn Caruana and Mitch Day impressed.

Day and Brodie Meyers kicked two goals apiece, with Meyers producing the highlight of the day – a bouncing run down the wing before a classy finish in the last quarter to lift his team over the line.

“The rucks basically went at it all day, one-out both sides, and Hayden probably had his best game for the club against a quality ruckman in (Josh) Grabham,” Lobb said.

“He pretty much rucked all day, he took it on himself, he gave away a couple of free kicks but was generally jumping all over Josh.

“He’s a big body but he’s pretty quick and runs a quick 2km time trial too, so he’s definitely an asset as well.

“Ben’s a quality player, he plays in multiple positions for us, he had a really big pre-season and given himself every chance to play good footy.

“Brodie was huge in the last quarter, got his hands on the footy higher up the ground and kicked a goal – took four running bounces and kicked the goal.”

For Riddell, Jesse Horton was best afield in defeat, while Ben Sonogan, Kamen Ogilvie and Cal Williamson stood tall.

With two goals, Dean Galea retained his four-goal lead over Day in the league goalkicking.

Diggers head to Kyneton for a clash with the Tigers next week as Riddell takes its bye.

Lobb said his team couldn’t afford to take a week off in such an even competition.

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“It’s been an interesting year, you’ve got to make sure you turn up every week,” he said.

“We didn’t against Wallan and they made us look silly but they’ve lost two other games this year.

“From a coaching group, it was really pleasing, we put a bit of work into how we wanted to play and the boys trained for it and played well.”

Elsewhere, Macedon was too strong for Lancefield in a 48-point win, Kyneton eased past Melton Centrals by 43 points and Romsey edged Woodend-Hesket by seven.