Despite trailing by 26 points at quarter-time following a scoreless opening term, the Stars remained composed as their pace and skill on the big expanses of Preston City Oval eventually became too hard for the Demons to contain.
Patrick Davis was the standout for his side and booted seven goals, including four in the Stars’ second quarter comeback, as he led his side to the 15.12 (102) to 9.18 (72) victory.
The big forward was unstoppable at times and was able to outsize and overpower every Diamond Creek defender on the ground, most notably Andrew Owen who was his direct opponent for most of the afternoon.
Davis’ height and weight advantage gave him the ascendancy in every marking contest, and he was on the receiving end of numerous free kicks as defenders often held and pushed him in the back in vein attempts to out-body his big frame.
Randall Rioli was also instrumental across half forward. His ability to win the contested football and kick penetrating passes deep into Davis one-out in the forward line became telling after the first break.
Keith Morgan and Kaelun Brown were impressive in the midfield and were decisive in giving the Stars the ascendancy from the clearances, while Mungara Brown’s silk and ball-winning ability was also noticeable during the match.
With a two-goal breeze blowing to the city end of the ground, the Stars should have been sent packing from the finals race in the first quarter as Diamond Creek dominated proceedings – only to continually waste chances in front of goal.
The Demons kicked seven consecutive behinds to commence proceedings before Luke Simpson finally registered the game’s first goal when he snapped truly 17 minutes into the quarter.
The goal triggered his side as Brent Gutterson quickly followed with another after marking a spearing pass from Brenton Hoppe, before James Gebert found himself on the receiving end of a coast-to-coast play and calmly converted on his left to give his side a 26-point buffer at the first change.
Despite the handy break, the Demons’ wasteful 3.8 for the quarter meant the Stars were still in the contest even after struggling to break through Diamond Creek’s forward press for the entire first term.
The second quarter didn’t begin well for Fitzroy with skipper Lionel Proctor yellow carded in the first contest of the term. But in his absence the Stars played their best football of the day and booted three goals in the opening 10 minutes of the quarter to reduce the deficit to nine points.
Davis booted all three majors from close range, with Rioli passing beautifully for the second which found the forward unmarked in the goal square.
Gutterson replied with the only goal of the half to the Cramer St end, however the Stars continued to attack as their spread on the wide ground enabled them to move the ball inside 50m quickly.
Proctor returned to the field and booted a goal from a 40m set shot, before Davis gave the Stars an unlikely lead when he converted a free kick from a tight angle.
Once again, Diamond Creek wasted its chances when kicking to the city end in the third and kicked five consecutive behinds to begin the term.
The Stars were efficient from their limited early forward movements and goals to Jai Burns and Kaelun Brown extended their lead to 11 points as the wind dropped off significantly.
Tyron Loader earned a quick reply with a classy snap from 30m, however Davis responded just as swiftly after marking a long ball in from Eric Edwards. Davis then floated through another just moments later to give his side its biggest lead of the day.
Jai Norman was rewarded for his hard work in the ruck with a towering mark in his forward goal square and cut the margin back to two goals, but late majors to Rioli – after dancing around two defenders – and John Hayes gave Fitzroy a match-winning 23-point lead at the final change.
The Stars begin the fourth quarter with the goal of the day as Jake McCauley brilliantly palmed down the centre bounce to Kaelun Brown who speared a pass onto Davis’ chest for a goal
.Edwards followed that with another when he burst through a pack after another sublime McCauley tap and it was party time for the Stars with the margin blown out to 36 points.
The sides traded goals over the remaining 20 minutes of the match as the Fitzroy faithful soaked up an historical day for the club.
The Stars now enjoy a weekend off before taking on the loser of this Saturday’s second semi final between Epping and North Heidelberg in the preliminary final.
Given the drier spring conditions and the wider grounds, the side will certainly go in confident of causing another boilover.
Final score: Diamond Creek 9.18 (72) def by Fitzroy Stars 15.12 (102)
