Diggers Rest secures services of three premiership-winners from Melton
Riddell District runner-up Diggers Rest as made a recruiting splash, luring three members of Melton’s BFL premiership-winning side to Bloomdale Oval.
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A trio of Ballarat league premiership players will call Diggers Rest home in 2023.
Mark Orr and Jaycob and Lachlan Hickey have swapped Macpherson Park for Bloomdale Oval in a significant boost to the Burras’ Riddell District premiership hopes.
Jaycob Hickey was named among the Bloods’ best in the grand final win over Sebastopol, collecting 24 disposals, including 21 kicks, and five tackles.
Orr’s influence was impacted by the wet weather, finishing with seven disposals and six tackles, while Lachlan Hickey had 10 disposals on the day.
Diggers coach Jamie Lobb said the trio had plenty of mates at the club.
“Big Mark Orr and the (Hickey) boys are all good mates and good mates with a couple of our guys from being at Melton previously and bring some VFL experience as well,” he said.
“We’re probably gonna lose a few so it’s nice to get some quality players back in.
“Especially the age those guys are, they’re in their mid-20s now, so in their prime so it will add a whole new dimension to our list.
“Mark’s a quality player, obviously being a premiership ruckman in the Ballarat league, and had a couple of years at Coburg in his early footy days so it’s always pleasing to get those sort of players into the club.”
The three recruits will help rejuvenate a Diggers Rest list after losing the RDFNL decider to Riddell last season.
Lobb himself are weighting up whether they will play on, while Chris Lawton, Lachie Ronaldson and Patrick Jackson are expected to depart.
Star defender Andrew Tyquin will undergo knee reconstruction surgery this month after injuring himself in the grand final.
“There’s a few that won’t be there, so it’s pretty good timing to bring these guys in,” Lobb said.
“Our retention rate has been good and our core group is still there but with a few guys not coming back it’s opened the door to get a few fresh faces in.
“Everyone that has come in hasn’t missed a session and is setting the example on the track, pushing the guys that were our elite runners to another level.”
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Diggers Rest will play two practice matches in the lead up to Round 1.
The Burras will tackle EDFL Division 1 outfit Tullamarine before an annual pre-season match against Central Highlands outfit Buninyong.
The Riddell District season will kick off on Saturday, April 1 with a standalone clash between Western Rams and Melton Centrals.
Diggers will begin its campaign a fortnight later on April 15 at home against Woodend-Hesket.
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