Diamond Creek has claimed a statement victory in the MC Labour Division 2 preliminary final rematch, emphatically defeating St Mary’s by 55 points at Whatmough Park.
It was a dominant four quarter display from the Creekers, who increased their lead at every break in a bullish 13.12 (90) to 4.11 (35) win.
Last year’s grand finalists again showed their defensive prowess, keeping the Burra to just two goals by three quarter time, despite Fabian Carelli’s men coming off two weeks of posting consecutive 100+ scores.
Remarkably, the Creeker’s are now averaging just 29 points scored against them after five rounds and have conceded just five goals in their last eight quarters of football. Nathan Searl and Brenton Keating led the well-structured defensive unit, ensuring the Burra’s route forward was limited to shots from difficult positions.
Danyon Kambouris excelled as a courageous ball-winner, putting his head on the line on multiple occasions, alongside Jacob Booth and Matthew Brennan who enjoyed spells of midfield dominance.
When going forward, Ryan Pingree, Kade Garraway and Andrew White were a damaging trio who relished the constant supply into their forward line, each kicking multiple majors.
It was a lacklustre day for the Burra, but their moments of spark often came through Rory Hanlon. The midfielder found moments to break through the rigid opposing structure, however, he could not steer his team to a patch of sustained momentum.
Diamond Creek asserted themselves from the siren’s first tone, hoarding the ball in their forward half for large slathers of the term.
Daniel Jarvis and Kade Garraway hit the scoreboard for the visitors, but multiple other chances went missing as the theme of the quarter soon became Diamond Creek’s missed opportunities.
Against the run of play, Curtis Howden-Crhak goaled in time-on to keep the Burra within a single-digit margin, meaning Andrew Tranquilli’s men would have to settle with an eight-point first quarter lead.
Looking to capitalise, the Burra started as the better team of the second term, showing flashes of promise through their midfielders. Nicholas Daisley, Jack Bianchin and Jake Halewood provided encouraging ball movement to halter Diamond Creek’s gameplan momentarily, but it would this time be the Creekers who goaled with the momentum against them.
Relentlessly piling on three majors, including a highlight from Andrew White who converted from long range, the Creekers would never look back, carving up the Burra time and time again.
Leading by 24 points at the main break, Diamond Creek seemed determined to put the game out of reach. White claimed his second of the match in the opening minutes before Ryan Pingree converted a set shot after leaping high to juggle an impressive pack mark.
Jake Halewood answered back with a 40-metre drop punt from a tight angle, but the Creekers rhythm of dominant possession-based football now appeared to be unstoppable.
A further two goals were piled on as Diamond Creek stormed to a four goal to one quarter, which saw them lead by 42 points at three quarter time.
Stamping their pedigree on a wilting opposition, Pingree continued to generate brilliant plays, this time kicking a superb goal from the 50-metre arc. Matthew Brennan then crashed a pack to mark spectacularly before converting the set shot.
Two consecutive goals from the Burra did little to phase the visitors, who slotted the final three goals of the match to round out a commanding 55-point triumph against last year’s preliminary finalists.
Diamond Creek sit atop of the ladder at Round 5’s conclusion, equal on points with fellow undefeated sides Whittlesea and South Morang, while St Mary’s move to a 2-3 record ahead of a massive clash with the Lions next week.
