Tara Murray
After years of building Diggers Rest can finally say its the Riddell District Netball League A-grade premiers.
Having been around the mark in recent years, the Burras started to find form at the right time of the season this year.
Having knocked out Riddell and then minor premiers Macedon in the preliminary final, the Burras were full of confidence heading into the grand final against Woodend-Hesket.
Both sides were aiming for their first A-grade premiership. The Burras had gone close before, losing the 2003 grand final in extra time.
On Sunday, it was going to be the case of which side settled first.
The Hawks got the first two, before the Burras got the next six to open up a small lead. Both sides were creating turnovers as the defenders dominated.
The Burras would maintain about a four goal lead for much of the first half. Early in the third quarter, the Hawks reduced the margin to just one goal.
Instead of panicking, the experience of the Burras showed through. They would get the next six goals, as the Hawks went cold in the goaling circle.
The margin would continue to grow as the Burras sealed a convincing win in the end, winning 40-32.
Wing defence Anica Shearer was named best on court.
Burras coach Pam Strong said the group used their experience in grand finals with other teams to help settle their nerves.
“We had the momentum swing, they stayed to their structure and they didn’t panic,” she said. “They were great. They were more calm than I thought they would be this week. They were more nervous last week than this week.
“I think both teams have a strong starting seven and the game could have gone either way to be honest.”
Strong had been praying to the weather gods to keep the rain away after the side struggled earlier in the finals when the two teams played in rain.
While there were some spits in the second half, it was dry for the most part.
Strong said the key was which team settled first.
“They were good defensively,” she said of her girls. “We knew we had to work hard all the way through the centre third to stop them getting the ball easy as their goalers are so accurate.
“We did settle. We know one thing I always look at is if our structure is working and when they start making changes, that’s things are going well.
“They did and I knew we had the win and the girls know that’s how I think and it lifts the team too.”
Strong said the whole team was in sync throughout. They made just one change, Nicole Isles replaced Sally Mitchell at centre at half time to bring on some fresh legs.
Stefanie Symes and Shelby Strong, who both went into the game with injury concerns, got through the whole match.
Pam Strong said she wasn’t going to ask Symes how her injured ankle was, saying it wasn’t in a good way.
Strong said Scherer provided the performance they were after.
“She was brilliant and rose to the occasion,” she said. “She was amazing and drove the ball down the court, she was great.”
The Burras B-grade side also claimed the premiership, beating Macedon 32-29. Strong said the team had to overcome adversity to claim the title.
She said it was a nice reward for the club to get the two premierships.
“I’ve been here a few years and Shelby has been here longer,” she said. “It’s been a slow build as you don’t go out and buy premierships.
“There’s locals that have been here for a long time. Maggie [Payne] said she’s been there for seven years and it’s finally paid off.
“It’s good and there’s a lot of good young players coming through.”
The premiership caps off Strong’s time as coach of the Burras.
“It’s a nice way to go out,” she said. “I was going to stop after the first year of COVID and then one more and last year was going to be my last.
“This year was always it, I’ve decided it’s time.”
