Diamond Creek and the Fitzroy Stars played out the first draw of the 2019 A Plus Labour Solutions Division 2 season in an enthralling Round 10 match at Coventry Oval.
Two goals to Ryan Pingree in the final minute saw the Creekers snatch two points from the jaws of defeat, with the sides finishing tied at 8.15 (63) apiece.
Both sides entered the game with a 4-4 record and were hoping to close within percentage of the top-four. The result leaves both on 18 premiership points, two points behind fourth-placed Thomastown.
In tough conditions for footy, both sides had trouble converting their scoring chances throughout the day.
Pingree’s two late goals took his total to four for the day, while Nathan Searl was the only other multiple goal scorer for the Creekers with two majors.
Tyler Barnes also booted a goal in a best on ground performance, while Jacob Booth and Josh Marchbank were named among the best after having major influences.
For the Stars, John Hayes and Jake Firebrace both booted two majors. Ethan Penrith was also among the goal scorers with a single and was named Fitzroy’s best for the day.
The Stars dominated possession early and held the ball inside their forward half well. However, they weren’t able to capitalise – kicking only 0.3 in the early stages.
Finally, Kain Proctor was able to find Gary Mongta with a lace out kick for the first goal of the day.
The sides traded goals late in the first term, as the Stars went into the first break with an eight-point lead.
Both sides wrestled for momentum early in the second quarter, but it was Diamond Creek who won the battle, kicking three goals in three minutes before Searl kicked his second to give the home side a 19-point lead at the main break.
The Creekers looked to continue their second quarter form after half time as Pingree kicked his second five minutes after the restart to open up a match-high lead.
With a defeat beckoning, the Stars were able to wrestle back momentum.
Firebrace kicked his first which sparked a five-goal run for the Stars, finishing with Ryan Lovegrove-Hudson’s snap at the 30-minute mark to give the visitors the lead once again.
Going into the final term holding a four-point lead and with rain pouring down, a Sheldon Quartermaine goal at the eight-minute mark looked like it might be enough to hand the Stars victory.
Both sides went forward multiple times throughout the fourth term with neither able to goal before Pingree took a mark on the tightest of angles.
He snapped his third before a free kick was paid to the home side, which allowed Pingree to kick his fourth from point blank range to tie the scores.
Just seconds after the ball was bounced back in the middle the siren sounded, shocking supporters from both sides.
Both sides take on top-four sides in their next match. Diamond Creek will host Whittlesea at Coventry Oval, while the Stars have the bye before hosting Thomastown at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval in Round 12.
Final score: Diamond Creek 8.15 (63) drew with Fitzroy Stars 8.15 (63)
DIAMOND CREEK
Goal Kickers: R. Pingree 4, N. Searl 2, T. Barnes, J. Norman
Best Players: T. Barnes, J. Booth, J. Marchbank, M. Rogneda, N. Barro, C. Moloney
FITZROY STARS
Goal Kickers: J. Hayes 2, J. Firebrace 2, E. Penrith, R. Lovegrove-Hudson, S. Quartermaine, G. Mongta
Best Players: E. Penrith, J. Firebrace, P. Hood, A. Lynn, K. Morgan, A. Norris
