By Oliver Lees
Diggers Rest football club is looking to bounce back after an “up and down” start to the season in the Riddell District Football League.
Burras coach Jamie Lobb said his side had been complacent after COVID lockdown interrupted the 2020 season.
“It’s definitely been interesting, very up and down,” Lobb said.
“You never know what to expect coming off of the COVID season last year. We thought we could just pick up where we left off, but it hasn’t worked out that way.”
The Burras, who finished on top of the ladder and made the preliminary final in 2019, currently sit in sixth place with three wins and three losses.
Cole Laurie has been a consistent force in the forward.
So far the forward has booted 11 goals this season, including four against Woodend-Heskett and two bags of three in their last two matches.
Lobb said he had also been impressed by the young talent in the side.
“They’re playing some really good footy and giving us plenty of run,“ he said.
The Burras’ best win came in round 4, downing Melton Centrals 145 to 44.
But their fortunes turned in round 5, as the Burras suffered a heavy loss to Wallan, losing 185 to 43.
Wallan also beat them in last year’s preliminary final and currently sit in second place on the ladder.
Lobb said the club was disappointed after “one of the worst losses in the club’s history”.
“We need to make amends,” he said.
Local football was disrupted once again last weekend as matches were postponed following the announcement of a seven day ‘circuit-breaker’ lockdown.
When play resumes, the Burras are scheduled to play against the Western Rams, who currently sit in last place on the ladder having not won a match this season.
Lobb said they’ll be looking to redeem themselves next time they’re on the field.
“This COVID situation has come at the worst possible time, but it gives us a bit of thinking time,” he said.
“We need to reevaluate, we’re confident we can do the work and give it [finals] a fair crack.”
