Diamond Creek claimed its sixth-consecutive victory following a 38-point triumph over the Fitzroy Stars in Round 7.
In a game that was widely tipped to be a close encounter, the Demons were in control for the majority of the day to win 13.15 (93) to 8.7 (55) at Coventry Oval.
Tim Chapman starred off half back, providing dash and setting up numerous Diamond Creek attacks, while Tyler Barnes was instrumental in kick-starting the Demons in the opening term.
Jess Cosaitis impressed yet again by booting four goals, while Bryce Adams, Jack Prosser and Jacob Booth all contributed with two majors.
For the Fitzroy Stars, Vaasili Tuifao continued his strong goal kicking form by booting another three majors, while Malcolm Dow and Thomas Higgins had strong games in the absence of key duo Clinton Edwards and Peter Hood, who both missed the clash.
Diamond Creek started the game in fine fashion, with Nathan Searl kicking the first goal in less than a minute of play.
The Demons then added a further two majors through Josh Lorey and Brad Perry before the Stars even managed a possession in their forward line.
It took eight minutes for the Stars to hit the scoreboard, with the opening major coming from Tuifao.
From then on the quarter was evenly contested, but the Demons headed into quarter time with a six-point lead.
The second quarter began in a tough and rugged fashion as both teams’ defence stood strong.
By the midway point of the quarter the Stars were on top, but could not convert their shots on goal.
The Stars only kicked 1.3 for the term but it should have been more, as five of their shots on goal went out of bounds or failed to make the distance.
Diamond Creek was also inaccurate in front of goal kicking 2.6 but it did extend the lead to 15 points at the main break.
The third term was all one-way traffic for the Demons, who found their mojo during the quarter.
Cosaitis kicked two goals, while Booth set the game alight with a running goal that saw him take two bounces and run past a Stars player before converting from 25 metres out.
Trailing by 31 points at three quarter time, the Stars needed to start the final quarter strongly if there was to be a fight back.
Dow kicked the first goal of the term to cut the deficit to 25 points, but hope of a Stars’ comeback was quickly dashed by Diamond Creek, who showed why it was one of the best teams in A Plus Labour Division 2.
The Demons kicked four of the last six goals to runaway with a 38-point victory and head into the Queen’s Birthday break on a high.
Despite the strong win, the Demons slipped to second spot on the ladder, behind North Heidelberg on percentage. The Stars remain in third place, now one win behind the top-two.
Diamond Creek will travel to Lalor after the bye, while the Stars will have a mouth-watering clash with North Heidelberg.
Final score: Diamond Creek 13.15 (93) def Fitzroy Stars 8.7 (55)
