Diggers Rest romps to huge win over Riddell in first outing of 2015 RDFL season

YES, Riddell was depleted. But Diggers Rest could not have had much better a day in Round 1 of the Riddell District Football League on Saturday.

Players battle for the ball in Saturday’s Round 1 RDFL match between Diggers Rest and Riddell. Photo: Dennis Manktelow

YES, Riddell was depleted.

But Diggers Rest could not have had much better a day.

One of the Riddell District Football League’s premiership fancies, the Burras recorded a big win to start their season on Saturday, romping to a 16.14 (110) to 4.8 (32) result.

A little rusty early on, Diggers Rest was beaten on the outside and a bit loose in defence in the first half while also not taking all its opportunities up forward.

The home side led by just eight points at the main break at Diggers Rest Reserve but after that it was all one-way traffic as the Bombers were held to a goal-less second half.

“I was extremely happy with the second half of football, the way we played,” Diggers Rest coach Shaun Sims said.

“You obviously want to win Round 1 but I was more focused on the way we played than the result. We’ve got some new guys in and we’re trying to do some different things with the way we move the ball and I was reasonably happy with how we executed that in the second half.”

Known as one of the best defensive teams in the competition in recent years, the Burras stated during the off-season that they wanted to be more attacking this year and showed an ability to do just that in the Round 1 win.

Luke Smailes kicked six goals in a best-on-ground performance while the return of Brent Tuckey (two goals) this season has also boosted the side’s forward stocks.

But having kept Riddell to just four goals, Sims could not help but heap most of his praise on the defensive group, led by John Ryan.

“I thought our backline was fantastic, especially in the second half,” Sims said.

New recruit Dean Smith (Greenvale) was not named in the official list of best players but also had an impact through the midfield.

“What we were after was people who could lead and organise and Dean comes from a successful side at Greenvale,” Sims said.

“He’s a quality player but his on field leadership will definitely help us.”

Diggers Rest is now preparing for a blockbuster clash with a team tipped to be the competition’s big improver this season — Sunbury Kangaroos.

The two sides will meet at Eric Boardman Reserve in an Anzac Day clash from 2.30pm on Saturday after attending the Sunbury Dawn Service together that morning.

“I wouldn’t take much out of the way they (Sunbury Kangaroos) finished the year last year,” Sims said.

“They just couldn’t get a team on the park. They’ve probably brought in the most and lost the least I would say so they’d be one team that I’m sure would be one of the favourites at this time of year.”