Diamond Creek are back in the top five of the MC Labour Division 2 ladder after pulling away in the final term to defeat St Mary’s by 18-points at Whatmough Park.
Goals would come at a premium in slippery conditions, with just eight majors kicked for the entire game and despite inaccurate goalkicking, it wouldn’t come back to haunt the Creekers as they ran out 5.16 (46) to 3.10 (28) victors.
Though amassing plenty of inside 50’s throughout the day, the Creekers weren’t as productive as they had been in recent weeks, with the Burra backline able to hold up for most of the game, the wet weather also playing a role in the low scoring affair.
While the Creekers welcomed the returns of Thomas Bennett and Hugh Kavanaugh, it was the defenders who had the biggest impact on the contest. Jack Empey, Matthew Lewis and Nathan Searl all standing tall with their intercept marking, with the trio also dangerous on the counterattack.
Tyler Barnes was influential around the ground all afternoon, while having kicked eight goals in his previous two games, Diamond Creek forward Jai Norman had a quieter day, although he did kick the opening goal of the match.
Nicholas Gedge, Huon Macgibbon and Jacob Yeomans were named in the best for St Mary’s, with the trio impressive in the losing effort. Gedge had his best game of the season with his intercept marking a highlight with Macgibbon and Yeomans were influential further afield.
Conceding the opening two goals of the game, the Burra found it difficult to exit their defensive 50, let alone hit the scoreboard as the home side trailed by 17-points at half time. Managing just one goal for the entire first half, the Fabian Carelli’s side responded in the third term.
Having been caught for holding the ball running into an open goal minutes prior, Riley O’Sullivan would make amends kicking the first goal of the term to trim the margin to 10 points.
Providing a spark for the Burra, Loccisano marked and goaled shortly after to reduce the margin to single digits. A screamer by O’Sullivan close to three quarter time put the momentum truly in St Mary’s favour.
Ahead by just five points at the final change and having not kicked a goal for almost two whole terms, Ryan Pingree proved to be a handful for the Burra defence in the final term as he slotted a nice major midway through the quarter.
James Prosser kicked the sealer moments later to secure Diamond Creek’s third win of the season.
Having had a tough fixture to start the season, the Creekers will be in for another test when the face an in-form Watsonia next week. Meanwhile St Mary’s will look to respond when they face off against Epping.
