Diamond Creek’s quest for its first premiership since 2005 continued, following a nine-point preliminary final win over Lower Plenty.
In perfect spring weather, the Creekers midfielders were too strong for Lower Plenty in the 10.11 (71) to 9.8 (62) victory at Epping Recreation Reserve.
Ty Franks, Tyler Barnes and Danyon Kambouris were their side’s best players in the triumph, while Jacob Booth kicked three crucial goals in a low-scoring game.
Diamond Creek will now face North Heidelberg in the grand final at Preston City Oval, where it will need to overturn two heavy defeats to the minor premier in recent weeks.
Reeling from a disappointing result in the second semi final, the Creekers came out of the blocks firing in the preliminary final.
Ryan Pingree opened the scoring, before Bryce Adams and Tim Chapman hit the scoreboard to give Diamond Creek a 17-point lead at the first break.
Much of the Creekers early dominance was a result of poor kicking from Lower Plenty. The Bears’ poor ball movement into attack enabled Diamond Creek defenders to intercept mark and set up attacks of their own.
Ben Patterson began the Lower Plenty revival by kicking the Bears’ first goal of the game in the second term. Patterson’s major swung the momentum in favour of the Bears, who began to gain the ascendency.
Fabian Dorbolo kicked the Bears second for the quarter, but their good work was overshadowed when Rory Kavanagh and Brad Perry goaled for Diamond Creek to increase its lead to 21 points at half time.
But Lower Plenty wasn’t done with and it continued to pressure Diamond Creek in a gripping third term.
Dorbolo kicked his second goal within a minute of play, before Booth returned fire for Diamond Creek.
Patterson then took over the game by kicking the next three goals to reduce the margin to just four points.
Diamond Creek was looking shaky and every time it had possession of the ball it was met by a herd of Lower Plenty players.
Booth managed to convert an important goal against the run of play, however Matthew Duckworth replied before Lachlan McLeod marked and goaled on the siren to give Lower Plenty a one-point lead at the final break.
Diamond Creek coach Craig Hayes was livid with his players at three quarter time and questioned whether they wanted to play in the grand final. Hayes implored his players to tackle and get the ball forward. “Dig in and fight for what you want,” he said.
The Creekers came out of the blocks full of adrenaline after Hayes’ speech. Perry booted his second major to put his side back ahead, before Booth kicked his third and Daniel Shallard added another from the goal square to seal the win.
Diamond Creek will now face North Heidelberg in the premiership decider – a side it has failed to defeat in four attempts this season.
Final score: Diamond Creek 10.11 (71) def Lower Plenty 9.8 (62)
