Diamond Creek got its 2022 campaign off to an ideal start, seeing off a fast-finishing Thomastown by nine points at Main Street Reserve.
Following a tight opening half, the Demons kicked five goals in the third term and held the Bears scoreless to extend a one-point lead at half time to 37 points at three quarter time.
The big third term set up the win for the Creekers, who managed to hold off a late surge from the home side to record a 10.14 (74) to 9.11 (65) victory.
Having peppered their chances throughout the day, the Creekers almost paid for missed opportunities, with Thomastown mounting a huge challenge in the final term, booting five goals to one.
One player who had no trouble finding the big sticks for Diamond Creek was Sage Dicello, who finished the game as the leading scorer in his first match for the Creekers after moving from Epping in the off-season.
Dicello kicked three goals for the afternoon and was among the top contributors in the Creekers’ winning effort. He kicked the first goal of the game just a minute into the opening term and added another before quarter time, before kicking his third goal in the third term.
Dicello wasn’t the only new Diamond Creek recruit who impressed. Sam Gleeson also had a good day and was lively across half forward to feature in his side’s best players in his club debut.
Nicholas Barro was moved into the ruck following the off-season departures of Josh Marchbank, Michael Florance and Oliver Parks and was influential in the centre bounces.
Barro also impressed with his work rate around the ground and would goal early in the final term to put the game out of reach for the Bears.
He had a great battle with Thomastown recruit Jarryd Coulson, who was the Bears’ best player in defeat.
Having been one of the top players Heidelberg Golf Division 3, where he claimed the competition best and fairest award three times, Coulson proved he could be just as damaging in a division higher.
Adrian Natoli and Lawrence Lopiccolo were also good for the home side, while Shannon Ball and Ben Nesci led the scoring with two goals apiece.
It was goal for goal in the opening term, with neither side able to assert themselves in the early going.
With his side leading by just three points at quarter time, Diamond Creek coach Andrew Tranquilli wasn’t pleased with poor efficiency going forward and demanded a lift from his forwards.
Kicking against the breeze in the second term, goals would be hard to come by for the Demons.
Thomastown started the second term quickly out of the blocks and kicked the opening two goals of the quarter, through Nesci and Coulson.
With just one point separating the sides at half time, it was Diamond Creek who answered their coach’s call in the third term, kicking five goals to none.
Leading by six goals at the final change, Barro looked to have sealed the game 10 minutes into the final term when he converted from the goal square, courtesy of a 50m penalty.
However, the rest of the quarter belonged to Thomastown. The home side mounted a serious challenge and came from the clouds with the next five goals.
The Bears would kick the first two goals through Sashe Spiroski and Daniel Caruso, and when Nesci added a third, the home side started to believe.
They’d add two more majors and found themselves just nine points down with two minutes to go.
However, they’d left their comeback too late, with the Demons holding on late to take the chocolates in the season opener.
Final score: Thomastown 9.11 (65) def by Diamond Creek 10.14 (74)
THOMASTOWN
Goal Kickers: S. Ball 2, B. Nesci 2, M. Fox, R. Hatzis, D. Caruso, J. Coulson, S. Spiroski
Best Players: J. Coulson, S. Ball, A. Natoli, L. Lopiccolo, A. D’Angelo, M. Tabacco
DIAMOND CREEK
Goal Kickers: S. Dicello 3, T. Barnes, S. Gleeson, R. Pingree, J. Empey, R. Donaldson, J. Norman, N. Barro
Best Players: N. Barro, M. Lewis, S. Dicello, N. Searl, J. Norman, S. Gleeson
