One of local footy’s most decorated players has landed at Diggers Rest

League medals, premierships, grand final BOG … one of local footy’s most decorated players has joined reigning Riddell District premier Diggers Rest

Shaun Campbell celebrates a goal for Parkside. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Diggers Rest has added one of local footy’s most decorated players to its Riddell District premiership-winning squad.

Shaun Campbell has made the move to Bloomdale Oval, switching from Western Region Division 2 premier Parkside.

The star midfielder was a three-time league best-and-fairest, two-time club best-and-fairest, league-leading goalkicker, premiership co-captain and grand final medallist with the Magpies.

He also coached Wagga Tigers to a Riverina league premiership, winning a club best-and-fairest, and took home the Central Highlands league medal in 2016 while with Ballan.

Training several Diggers Rest players over the summer led to a chat with Burras coach Jamie Lobb.

Co-captains Shaun Campbell, Jackson Barrett and coach Chris Muratore celebrate Parkside’s premiership win. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“He trains a few of the guys, they’d been doing some extra sessions over the summer with him,” Lobb said.

“They floated it with him and the time was right for him not to go back to Parkside, caught up with him, had a coffee and he’ll be a great inclusion for us.

“He’ll fit in nicely, our first official night on the track was on Monday and he obviously knows a few of the boys already from the gym.”

Campbell and the returning Luke Delahey are the only new additions so far for the reigning premier.

McIntyre Medallist Jaycob Hickey and brother Lachlan have headed back to Melton, while veterans Matt Krul and Cole Laurie have retired.

Lobb said the club was looking for more recruits but would be selective.

“We’ve still got room for a couple more to come in,” he said.

“We’re still having a bit of a hunt around at the moment but we’ll pretty specific about who we target.

“We’ll have a few guys who were injured (last year) and Mitch Brockwell who couldn’t fit (into the grand final team) to come back into the side.”

Diggers will kick off its premiership defence on away to Lancefield on April 6.

The Burras first match back at the redeveloped Bloomdale Oval is scheduled for Round 2, a blockbuster against Wallan.

The club returned to training this week and Lobb believes the new deck will suit his team perfectly.

RDFNL: JEDWAB SECURES VFL DEAL WITH ESSENDON

LEADER: GET YOUR RIDDELL DISTRICT FOOTY NEWS HERE

2024: LOCAL FOOTY TEAMS TO WATCH THIS SEASON

“We never really go back until after Australia but the boys started training two weeks ago, non-contact sessions,” he said.

“It was nice being out on the new oval, it’s going to make a massive difference.

“The team we’ve had over the last few years, big grounds have suited us, so it will be nice not to run around on a small ground at home.”

The Riddell District season kicks off with a Good Friday clash between newcomers Kyneton and grand finalist Woodend-Hesket at Kyneton Showgrounds on Friday, March 29.