Diggers Rest responds after two poor losses to defeat finals rival Romsey

After two disappointing losses and with a double chance on the line, Diggers Rest returned to its best with a strong win over finals rival Romsey.

Mitchell Day in action for Diggers Rest. Picture: Josh Chadwick

Seven changes and a big bounce back win for Diggers Rest.

After two difficult losses, but fresh off a bye, the Burras responded in style on Saturday with a commanding 38-point win over top-three rival Romsey at Romsey Park.

Captain Mitch Jensen booted six goals in his first game in eight weeks, while the likes of Ryan Mullen, Luke Delahey and Ben McMahon also returned for the clash.

The 12.10 (82) to 6.8 (44) cements Diggers in third place with only one game remaining in the Riddell District home-and-away season.

Coach Jamie Lobb said it could be a season-defining win for the club.

Diggers Rest cements its spot in third. Picture: Josh Chadwick

“The bye came at a good time for us, we have seven guys come back into the side,” Lobb said.

“We were playing for the double chance, so it was good to sees the boys respond.

“It makes a difference when you’ve got some key personnel back and have a couple of solid weeks on the track.

“Barring a disaster against Melton we can’t drop down, so it’s about continuity now and getting the guys on the park as much as we can.”

Diggers Rest bounced out of the blocks, taking a 10-point lead into quarter-time.

The lead extended to 24 points at half-time and blew out to 45 points at three-quarter-time as Romsey was held to just three goals.

The Redbacks responded in the final term, kicking three goals, but it was too little too late.

Jensen showcased his class in a best-on-ground performance, while Justin Tenaglia blunted Romsey ace Jack Jedwab.

Steven Fogarty, Luke Delahey, Mitch Brockwell and Shaun Campbell also impressed.

Lobb praised his midfield and defence for setting up a fair easier day in front of goals.

“Mitch would have had 13 or 14 shots on goal in his first game back in,” he said.

“Obviously he doesn’t get those shots if things are happening up the field.

“Even against Kyneton, we lost the game but had double their forward 50 entries, so it was the quality of entries we had the makes it easier to score.

“Juzzy Tenaglia played a really good game on Jedwab, followed him around wherever he went and took away his influence - he destroyed us last time.

“The way we trained during the week and the application to how we want to play was really solid.

“It goes to show if you switch off for five minutes, Romsey got on top for a period but we wrestled it back at the end of the game.”

Diggers Rest faces Melton Centrals in the final game of the regular season before a likely qualifying final date with Wallan.

Lobb was hoping for more sunshine come finals.

“There’s no hiding it, we’re not a wet weather footy team,” he said.

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“We need it dry, our ball movement, we’ve got a lot of speed in our team so weather isn’t something we want come finals time.”

For Romsey, skipper Nathan Blair was best afield, while Jedwab, Callum Sankey and Sam Wilson stood tall.

The Redbacks finish the season against Macedon in an expected elimination final preview with the two teams set to meet again the following week.

Elsewhere, the Cats eased past Melton Centrals by 15 points to all but secure a top-five finish, Wallan was too strong for Lancefield in a 47-point win and Woodend-Hesket dented Kyneton’s finals hopes with a 15-point victory.