WHAT a season it has been in the RDFNL, and it all comes down to this.
Diggers Rest booked itselves into the grand final two weeks ago after a 131-point victory over Riddell where its star goal kicker Callum Moore dominated, having 25 disposals and 11 goals for the day.
Wallan on the other hand were forced to go the long way, due to its qualifying final loss to Diggers just three weeks ago.
Wallan were then forced to move on and play Kyneton, who upset the Magpies last year, leaving them with a straight sets exit.
This time round it was looking awfully the same, until the Magpies stormed home from 34 points down in the last quarter to win.
But it came with enormous amounts of controversy, as former AFL player Jake Carlisle got himself involved in a fence jumping mess.
After two tribunal sittings, hours of back and forth, Carlisle was free to play, which left supporters divided about who was in the wrong.
The RDFNL claims the case is still open, so we will have all the updates live on the North Central Review Facebook page.
Fast forward to this week, where the Magpies have handled Riddell comfortably to earn themselves a second look against Diggers Rest in the grand final.
Early weather predictions suggest that it will be a beautiful day for football, with a high of 17 degrees and mostly sunny during the day.
The game has been setup to involve the best two home and away sides in the league, including the two best goal kickers, and arguably the two best players in the league.
Journalist Cooper O’Brien’s tip: I believe Diggers Rest will be too hard to beat, especially with a fit and firing Callum Moore, who would go up there with the best local footballers I’ve watched, and the likes of Oleg Markov and Jaidyn Caruana next to him. They are a force to be reckoned with, and although anything can happen in finals, good luck beating them.
Tip: Diggers Rest by 78 points
Best on Ground: Callum Moore (Diggers Rest)
Journalist Michael Thompson’s tip: It’s really hard to see where Diggers Rest get beaten if it plays to the level it knows it can play. It took everything Wallan had to beat the Burra at Greenhill earlier this year, and that was with trump card Moore out injured for much of the day. However, footy is the best reality TV on the planet – it’s a grand final, and we never know what’s going to happen.
Tip: Diggers Rest by 33 points
Best on Ground: Oleg Markov (Diggers Rest)
