Thomastown moved into third place on the A Plus Labour Solutions Division 2 ladder with a stirring 21-point win over Diamond Creek at Coventry Oval.
After trailing by 18 points at the five-minute mark of the first term, the Bears took control of the match to claim their third win on the trot with the 13.8 (86) to 9.11 (65) result.
It was Thomastown’s second win over the Creekers this season and puts the Bears in a strong position to play finals football. The performance also proved to the rest of the competition that the Bears are a genuine contender and are not just making up the numbers.
Diamond Creek entered the game on a three-game winning streak, which included a thrilling come-from-behind win over Lower Plenty the previous week.
The Creekers seemed to bring the momentum for that performance into this week’s game, booting three unanswered goals in the opening five minutes to race to an early advantage.
Diamond Creek dominated the clearances in the early stages and also made Thomastown pay for a number of turnovers when trying to exit the defensive half.
Despite the poor start, Thomastown was able to regroup and display the form that saw it win four of its previous five games. The Bears kicked five of the last six goals in the opening term, including the final four, to head into the quarter-time break with a five-point buffer.
Diamond Creek coach Craig Hayes lamented his side’s lack of effort in contests around the ground and implemented a one-on-one strategy for the second term in an attempt to swing the match back in their favour.
But other than a sixth-minute goal to Tyler Barnes, Thomastown maintained ascendency in the second term.
The Bears’ players still found open space to run into and although they could only muster two goals for their efforts, they still had the upper hand as they held a 10-point advantage at the major break.
Thomastown quickly extended that lead at the beginning of the third term, with a fantastic goal from the pocket by Shannon Ball within the first 20 seconds and a follow up by Matthew Ferraro two minutes later extending the lead to a game-high 21 points.
Josh Lorey was able to reply moments later for Diamond Creek, but the Bears were able to finish the term the better, with goals to Lachlan Evans and Matthew Vasilevski allowing the visitors to push out to 27-point advantage.
A goal to Jai Norman after the three-quarter time siren cut the margin back within four goals at the last change, but any hopes of a late charge by the Creekers were quickly vanished within the opening 15 seconds of the last term.
With a near identical start to the third term, Matthew Ferraro was able to run into an open goal to get Thomastown off to a dream start.
Consecutive goals to Ty Franks and Bryce Adams pushed Diamond Creek within 15 points entering time on, however a Daniel Chadwick goal following a defensive turnover sealed the win for the Bears.
Matthew Vasilevski and Salvatore Mammone were instrumental in the middle for Thomastown, whilst Josh Beare led the way for the from the back half. Youngster Josh Tonna also competed well in the ruck, despite being outsized.
Ty Franks was best for the Creekers. He was supported by Jai Norman and Josh Marchbank.
Thomastown returns home next weekend in a crucial match against Banyule, whilst Diamond Creek will be looking to get back on the winners’ list when it hosts Epping.
Final score: Diamond Creek 9.11 (65) def by Thomastown 13.8 (86)
