Riddell and Diggers Rest clash in the Riddell District grand final
For the seventh time since 2000, Riddell and Diggers Rest will meet on the grand final stage. Here’s the keys to the game, X-Factor and expected line-ups.
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The two most successful Riddell District clubs of the millennium meet once more on the grand final stage.
This will be Riddell and Diggers Rest’s seventh meeting in the final game of the season since 2000, highlighting their dominance.
Between them, the Bombers and Burras have won seven premiership and played in nine and eight grand finals respectively.
Diggers Rest has won the last two – in 2016 and 2018 – but the Bombers own the head-to-head record having emerged victorious four times – 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2013.
Expect Sunday’s trip to Romsey Park to be another memorable decider.
A grand total of nine points separated the pair in their two meetings this season.
Riddell claimed a three-point win at Bloomdale Oval in Round 5 and Diggers Rest returned the favour with a six-point triumph at Riddells Creek in Round 13.
It’s been more than two months since the two teams crossed paths and both have had solid grand final preparations.
The Bombers will be fresh from a week off after outclassing Wallan in the major semi-final a fortnight ago.
Diggers Rest eliminated the Magpies in a bruising preliminary final last week to book its grand final ticket and has momentum on its side.
Will Romsey Park play a part? It hasn’t been kind to the Burras with a preliminary final loss and 93-point qualifying final defeat in the last two finals, while Riddell has lost an elimination final and won a major semi-final.
KEY MATCH-UPS
STEVE TREWEEK v MITCH JENSEN
Arguably the biggest question Riddell coach Justin Belleville faces ahead of the grand final … who can stop Mitch Jensen? The Diggers Rest gun is capable of finding the footy up the field as well as being the most dangerous forward on the ground. The Bombers might have to sacrifice one of their better players but Treweek might just be that man.
TOM ALKEMADE v LUKE DELAHEY
Two of the best wingers in the competition, Alkemade and Delahey will have a big say in who wins on Sunday. Both are capable of getting forward to hit the scoreboard and both are capable of pushing back to help out in defence. The wide open expanses of Romsey Park will allow both to go to work.
MICHAEL EDWARDS v MITCH DAY
A key midfield match-up. The two recruits have made big impacts at Riddell and Diggers Rest respectively this season and you can expect both to be in the running for the grand final medal. Centre clearances will be critical on Sunday and these two will be at the heart of the contest.
JOSH GRABHAM v MITCH KRUL
The all-important ruck battle. With respect to Krul, Grabham will dominate in the air but it's the follow up and around the ground that will be defining. If Krul can help his midfield break even in clearances it will be a big tick. Sean Egan could return to help boost the Burras’ ruck division.
NATHAN CROFT v PATRICK JACKSON
Croft and Jackson have had some fascinating battles over the years and could go head-to-head again on Sunday. Riddell will need to kick a winning score and, despite not being a permanent forward this season, Croft can provide a much-needed boost offensively. Jackson has been Diggers Rest best player in the past two finals and will look to carry that form into the big dance.
BEN SONAGAN v ANDREW TYQUIN
With no Tim Walsh you would expect the key forward role to fall to Sonogan and that means a likely one-on-one with Tyquin. Sonogan is one of the best marks in the competition and is capable of kicking big bags on his day. If he does, the Bombers would be hot favourites. Tasked with closing him down is one of the best defenders in the competition. A fascinating battle looms.
CAL WILLIAMSON v JAIDYN CARUANA
It remains to be seen whether these two will play on each other but an intriguing match-up looms. Williamson is one of Riddell’s prime-movers in midfield, while Caruana’s quality is evidenced by his 2019 Bowen Medal. However, the Diggers Rest gun has battled injuries this season and hasn’t been at his best, could he instead play a shutdown role on the opposition’s best ball-winner?
X-FACTOR
JACK HAMMERLING
The young gun was best-afield in Riddell’s major semi-final win over Wallan with four goals, without a doubt his best performance of the season. With Riddell not necessarily having a forward focal point, the goals have been shared around and Hammerling is expected to play a big role. However, he was also among the Bombers’ best in the Round 4 victory over Diggers playing in defence. A very handy swingman for coach Justin Belleville.
MARCUS CALVARESI
The dangerous forward-midfield is a match-winner on his day. Was among the Burras’ best in both meetings with Riddell this season and will be looking to make an impact on Sunday. Capable of hitting the scoreboard, if Calvaresi can do some damage in front of goals, his team should be well placed to lift the premiership cup.
EXPECTED LINE-UPS
Hard to see to many changes being made. Diggers Rest made four changes for its preliminary final win over Wallan with senior regulars Sean Egan, Jarrod Rowan and Ben McMahon all dropped. While the trio impressed in the reserve grade win, it’s hard to see coach Jamie Lobb changing a winning formula. Egan could return to help combat Riddell big man Josh Grabham. Meanwhile, the Bombers have had a pretty settled line-up so we’re expecting the same 22 to take the field from the major semi-final win over Wallan.
WHERE IT WILL BE WON
Riddell’s back six has to turn up. The Bombers have been the best defensive team all season, conceding just 689 points. They will be sternly tested by the competition’s second ranked attack. Led by Mitch Jensen with 61 goals, Diggers Rest has the superior firepower. Four Burras have more goals than Riddell’s leading goalkicker Ben Sonogan – Tim Walsh kicked more but is out injured. That said, the Burras have been kept to just 61 and 68 points in their two meetings with Riddell this season, highlighting the Bombers’ defensive prowess. Legendary American football coach Bear Bryant famously said “offence sells tickets but defence wins championships”, we’ll see if that rings true on Sunday.
VERDICT
Harder to pick than a broken nose. Riddell and Diggers Rest split their games this season, both winning away from home. The bigger ground at Romsey could slightly favour Diggers Rest, giving it more space to operate its deadly attack and open up Riddell’s miserly defence … DIGGERS REST BY 2 POINTS
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