Diggers Rest too strong for Woodend-Hesket in top-of-the-table clash

Diggers Rest picked the perfect time to produce its “most complete game” of the year, knocking off Woodend-Hesket in a top-of-the-table blockbuster.

Taylor Hine in action for Diggers Rest. Picture: Aaron Cook

Diggers Rest has jumped two games clear on top of the Riddell District ladder after a 34-point win over second-placed Woodend-Hesket.

The Burras produced their “most complete game” in the top-of-the-table blockbuster to assert their premiership favouritism.

Last season’s grand finalists found another level in the second half running out 13.8 (86) to 7.10 (52) victors at Gilbert Gordon Oval.

Both teams were hit by injury in the clash with Diggers losing Mark Orr and Matt Krul, while Dean Bramley and Sam Medland failed to finish the game for the Hawks.

The home team mounted a challenge early in the last quarter but Burras coach Jamie Lobb was impressed with his team’s ability to kick away.

Diggers Rest lost Matthew Krul to injury in the second quarter. Picture: Hamish Blair

“We’d had this one in our sights from a few weeks ago and it probably the most complete game we’ve put together all year, which is very pleasing,” he said.

“We knew it was going to be an arm-wrestle up there, we felt like we were on top for most of the first half but we just didn’t hit the scoreboard as much as we should.

“Even though Woodend haven’t made finals in a while, it’s always a hard game up there, a contested, stoppage type of game, so we set ourselves for that and dominated in the midfield.

“We knew if we stuck to our game then we knew we’d break them at some point and we got them in the third quarter.

“They got back to 16 points or something in the last but then we finished off the game really well.”

Diggers Rest jumped out to a 15-point lead at quarter-time, keeping Woodend-Hesket goalless, and the margin was 14 at half-time.

However, the Burras came out firing in the premiership quarter, kicking four goals to two to open up a 28-point advantage, and finished strongly with another four majors in the fourth.

In his first game since Round 3, Josh Flower was outstanding, earning best-on-ground honours.

“Josh had been out for a while … he’d been out for six or seven weeks but slotted straight back in,” Lobb said.

“He’s a really classy player, we’d been lacking that polish with the last kick into our forward line and that’s his game to a tee.”

Jai White, Andre Headberry and Jaycob Hickey impressed, while young tall Hayden Davis stepped up for the injured Orr and competed well against Woodend star Tim Martin.

Martin was named the Hawks’ best in defeat, while Daniel Toman, Jake Arceri and Josh Pound (four goals) were also strong contributors.

Medland injured his shoulder, while Bramley suffered a hamstring strain with both hoping to return later in the season, while Rory Patterson was ruled out before the match.

Diggers now faces Lancefield before a bye.

Lobb says his players will take plenty of confidence out of the win but doesn’t believe it will count for anything come finals.

“I wouldn’t say mental edge (come finals), they still had a few players out, but it’s pleasing for us as the year is going on we’re getting better,” he said.

“We’re two games clear now so we won’t look at the ladder too much for the next month.

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“It’s just about how we want to play and guys are adapting and playing their role for the team and I think (Saturday) was the first time we’d done that as a group.

“Lancefield are playing good footy so we’ve got to make sure we don’t do anything silly and drop a game we don’t need to and then we’ll revisit were we’re at.”

Woodend-Hesket will look to bounce back against reigning premier Riddell at Riddells Creek.

Elsewhere, Wallan secured an important 28-point win over Romsey, Melton Centrals was too good for Lancefield in a 34-point victory and Riddell eased past Western Rams by 85.