Diggers named favourites

Nick Maas (yellow) was a strike weapon alongside Michael Stayte last year.

MAX FLEET

OPPOSITION coaches have attempted to put the pressure on Diggers ahead of round one this weekend.

Despite Bingera romping to the title last year, it is Diggers who have been pin-pointed as Archem Premier League favourites, based on player retention and a couple of handy returns.

Bundaberg Toyota Spirit players Sam Simpson and Matt Timbrell will join strikers Nick Maas and Michael Stayte at the club this year.

The combination has their Archem rivals shuddering in their boots.

“They’ve got a quality side there with the two Spirit boys returning,” Brothers player-coach Peter Bock said.

“We played them in a trial game and they were pretty sharp, they’ll be hard to beat if they stay consistent.”

But Diggers coach Nathan Darlington is having none of the pre-match chatter.

“Is that what they’re saying, is it,” he joked.

“We couldn’t care less what the other teams are saying, it’s all an unknown until we actually get out there.”

One thing they do care about is the unfinished business from last year’s campaign.

Despite finishing last season strongly, Diggers bowed out in extra time against Brothers Aston Villa in the preliminary final.

The upset loss still weighs heavily on Darlington’s mind.

“There is a lot of unfinished business there,” Darlington agreed.

“How we bowed out was disappointing and there is definitely a desire to fix that this year.

“We were a consistent side last year but just fell away in those final two games.”

Despite losing a number of last year’s squad, the coach said the midfield, led by captain Andrew Stout, would remain the same.

He welcomed the return of the Spirit’s Simpson and Timbrell.

“They are great to have back at the club,” he said.

“I think it was a case of not wanting to commit their whole weekend to the Spirit this season — they were getting back from games on Sunday afternoon and missing an entire weekend.

“I think with them we have a better side across the park than last year.”

Two trial games against the Spirit and Brothers have given the squad some good game time, but wet weather has seen at least three trainings wash out.

“We’ve lost that fitness, so that’s pretty disruptive but I guess most clubs are the same,” he said.

Diggers will face Across The Waves this Saturday night in the last of the three games played at Martens Oval.

Across The Waves have also trialled against Spirit this season, pushing them with their speedy young team.

The yellow and blue will also have a point to prove after a lacklustre season in 2009.

But with the addition of two extra sides (Moore Park and North Bundaberg) in the league this season, the way the season pans out is anyone’s guess.

“It’s all unknown — the talent will be spread around and spread out, so it will test the depth of the league for sure,” Darlington said.

In other games Bingera will play Alloway, who have been on a rollercoaster ride already this year.

After securing the services of high-profile coach Ray Cauchi they lost a host of regular first-graders to Moore Park.

This left them scratching for numbers and at one stage they withdrew their Archem Premier League side.

But the decision was reversed and the Alloway boys will be keen to prove themselves against last year’s premiers this weekend.