Riddell ends Diggers Rest’s undefeated season in comprehensive fashion

Diggers Rest’s bid for a perfect season came to a crashing end on Saturday as reigning RDFNL premier Riddell sent a timely reminder of its capabilities.

Dylan Tarczon celebrates a goal for Riddell. Picture: Hamish Blair

Diggers Rest’s undefeated start to the season came to a crashing halt at the hands of arch-rival Riddell on Saturday.

The Burras were 12-0 heading into the Riddell District grand final rematch at Bloomdale Oval before the Bombers sent a reminder of why they’re the reigning premier with a comprehensive 45-point win.

A dominant defensive display secured Riddell victory, holding the home team to just one goal in the second half.

The 12.17 (89) to 6.8 (44) win continues the Bombers strong form at Diggers’ home ground having won three of its past four at Bloomdale.

Coach Justin Belleville said there was no thought of Diggers Rest’s winning run, only beating their rival.

Jesse Horton in action for Riddell. Picture: Hamish Blair

“We play their ground pretty well, so it was really pleasing,” he said.

“We’d never spoken about the streak but its Diggers Rest, there’s a big history there, whenever we come up against each other we have to build ourselves up for it.

“I’ve been talking about it all year, we’ve had the best defence in the league for the past two years and it showed again.

“We need our midfield as well, and our wingers to roll back, but that back six or seven have played a lot of games together, they just know each other’s movements.

“We’ve had a bit of a patch-work everywhere else on the ground but it’s been pretty consistent down there.”

Riddell started strongly, a five-goal opening term setting up a 15-point lead, and it was 17 points at half-time after an arm-wrestle in the second quarter.

However, the visitors broke the game open with a dominant premiership quarter, holding the Burras goalless while kicking three majors.

It could have been even more comprehensive if not for an inaccurate 3.6.

Diggers had their chances to get back in the game in the last but kicked 1.4.

Jesse Horton continued his outstanding season off half-back with best-on-ground honours, while Dylan Tarczon (three goals), Ben Sonogan and Matt Panuccio all impressed.

“Jesse was phenomenal, he just gets better and better every week,” Belleville said.

“His run off half-back and intercept-marking, he’s really courageous.

“Dylan doesn’t play bad games, especially against the better teams, he’s a pretty special footballer in this league.”

For Diggers, Jai White was best-on, along with Austin Cicero, Jordan Theodore and Tom Schwarzenberg were also strong contributors.

The result sees Riddell clinch its finals spot and keep pace with Wallan, which had the bye, in the battle for a double chance.

The Bombers are fourth on percentage behind the Magpies and face each other in the last round of the season to likely decide third spot.

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“That’s the aim, we’ve just got to keep winning,” Belleville said.

“There’s three games to go, we’ve got to win them all, we struggled early on so we’ve got ourselves in a position where it’s all on us.”

Elsewhere, Woodend-Hesket held on for a thrilling one-point win over Romsey to keep its nose in front of Wallan and Riddell in second.

Lancefield held Western Rams to just two behinds to record a 116-point smashing and Macedon trumped Melton Centrals by 26 points to jump into fifth place.