Rupertswood held strong against a determined Diggers Rest to claim a thrilling win in the Riddell District Football League.
It was a match-up between two teams that are expected to be in the mix at the pointy end of the season, and the game didn’t disappoint.
The teams went goal for goal in the first quarter, before the Sharks kicked six goals to three to open up a 16-point lead.
The Burras lifted a level in the third quarter and dominated play and could quite easily have taken the lead.
A goal to the Sharks’ Todd Podolczak after the siren gave them some breathing space at three-quarter time and proved to be a crucial goal.
The margin got to within a goal on several occasions in the final quarter, with the Sharks eventually winning 14.11 (95)-14.7 (91).
Sharks’ coach Nick Ash said both sides had times when they looked good during the game.
“To be sitting 4-0 after four rounds, we’re reasonably happy,” he said.
“We looked at the draw when it came out and we play four of the other five top sides from last year. We thought we had a tough draw.”
Ash said the likes of Brett Chambers and Matt Smith stood up strongly in defence when needed, especially in the last quarter when the Burras were attacking,
Dean Putt was also vital in the last quarter, taking some key marks.
Ash said despite Rupertswood being just one of two teams undefeated, there was still plenty of things to work on going forward.
“You never like the opposition kicking over 10 goals and they kicked 14 goals, which was a bit disappointing,” he said.
“It’s round four and there’s plenty of things to work on.”
One area the Sharks will look to address during the week is discipline.
They gave away several 50-metre penalties in the second half, and were fortunate it didn’t cost them the game.
“I’ll be tough on the boys during the week,” Ash said. “We’re pretty big on discipline on and off the field and we let ourselves down out there.
“When the umpires give a free kick, he’s not going to change it, so no use going at them.
“We seemed to argue a fair bit today and probably got our right whack.”
Keegan Guy is set for a stint on the sidelines after breaking his collar bone, while Cameron McRorie finished the game on the bench with a corkie.
In good news for the Sharks, Dean Putt got through his first game since round one, while Lochie Muir and Darragh McGovern got through their first games of the season in the reserves.
Ash said there was still another five players who could fit into the senior team.
The Sharks face Woodend-Hesket this week. The Hawks are coming off their first loss of the season, losing to Romsey.
Other winners this round were Riddell, Wallan, Macedon and Rockbank.
