WALLAN’S rough start to the Riddell District Football League (RDFL) season continued on Saturday with a 14-point loss to Diggers Rest at Greenhill Reserve.

In a see-sawing encounter, Diggers Rest got the early jump on the Magpies and held a 15-point lead at the first break.

But the home side fought back in the second, kicking four goals to one to take a five-point margin into halftime.

Diggers Rest piled on six majors in the third term and while the Magpies remained in touch, kicking three of their own, the game began to slip out of reach.

Wallan outscored the visitors 3.5 to 2.4 in the final term but it was not enough and Diggers Rest claimed a 13.16.94 to 12.8.80 win.

Despite the loss, Wallan was by no means disgraced, with the side performing admirably in the face of a rising injury toll.

President Neal Langbourne said the number of outs gave the young players a chance to step up.

“Between the seniors and reserves we’ve got about 14 blokes who are out so our depth is really being tested,” he said.

“We had a lot of outs and we had a lot of opportunities for the young blokes to come into the side.”

Youngsters including Chris Smith and Matthew Pannuzzo earned the president’s praise for their performances, but when it came to the best on ground it was the senior hands that featured.

Brad Regan picked up his second best on ground in as many weeks for his role through the midfield and in the back half, while regular performers Shannon Galea and Blake Whiteway were also in the votes.

Despite now sitting with one win from four outings, Langbourne said the club should not be written off.

“Diggers Rest played off in the grand final last year, so we’re not too disappointed with the results. We’re sort of thereabouts, the competition is so even this year it’s unbelievable.

“We could lose another three or four, but then get the list together and win the last eight or 10 and have a charge like we did last year. You never know what’s just around the corner.”

The job will not get any easier on Saturday, with Wallan playing away to Lancefield.

Lancefield is coming off an 89-point thumping of Romsey and looks to be one of the form teams of the competition.