After a series of extremely close football finals, a very accomplished Diggers Rest wrapped up the Riddell League’s 2023 senior premiership on Sunday, defeating Woodend-Hesket by 43 points.
In fine, sunny conditions at Romsey, a crowd of almost 4100 saw the Burras prove they are the best side in the competition, virtually wrapping up the grand final with a 10.6 to 5.2 lead by half-time.
Earlier in the week, Diggers Rest coach Jamie Lobb declared his side was “ready for whatever Woodend-Hesket throws at us”, and this proved to be the case.
The Burras simply had too much talent spread across the field, and the danger signs for the Hawks were there early as Diggers Rest moved the ball quickly and kicked 6.2 to 4.1 in a high-scoring first term.
The Hawks kicked the first two goals of the third term to lift their hopes of a second-half revival, but successive goals soon snuffed out the challenge.
Diggers Rest was buoyed by their Reserves side earlier defeating Wallan 11.9 to 5.7 to make amends for their second semi-final defeat.
Two premierships capped off an unforgettable finals series for the Diggers Rest club, with the senior side surviving extra time to defeat Wallan in a semi-final, and the Reserves eliminating Woodend-Hesket in extra time in the preliminary final.
The only side to defeat Diggers Rest seniors this season was Riddell. The Bombers were eliminated by Romsey in a tight elimination final.
Woodend-Hesket had a great finals series with playing coach Josh Pound at the helm.
Players and supporters and townspeople had hoped the Hawks could produce their first premiership since 2007.
Final scores were 16.9 (105) to 9.8 (62).
At the presentation of medals and the premiership cup, Pound acknowledged the Hawks had been beaten by a better side.
He later acknowledged many of those who had done so much, on and off the field, to enable the Hawks to reach the grand final.
Pound also prasied the Woodend-Hesket netballers on their first-ever A-grade premiership.
Lobb said it had been a wonderful finals series, and gave full credit to the Hawks for making the grand final.
The Doug McIntyre Medal for best player on the ground, presented by Rob McIntyre, went to Diggers Rest dynamo Jaycob Hickey, in his first season with the club.
Marcus Calvarese must have been a strong contender with four goals and blistering ball movement.
For Woodend-Hesket, Tom Gawthrop finished with four goals, and the Hawks’ best were listed as defender Tayte Pears, Harley Giddings, ruckman Tim Martin, James Wiseman, Daniel Toman and Dan Davie.
