In a spirited top of the table clash in MC Labour Division 2, Eltham did enough to claim a 14-point triumph over Diamond Creek at Coventry Oval.
With neither side tasting defeat since Round 3, this match was set up to be the game of the round in the competition, and the contest delivered with the slippery conditions adding to an entertaining battle.
Having looked poised to run away with the game at multiple stages, the Panthers were challenged in the final term with a 20-point lead getting trimmed to under a kick at late stages of the quarter.
But it was Eltham’s poise that allowed Robert Hyde’s men to run out 10.3 (63) to 7.7 (49) winners, making it 10 consecutive victories in the competition.
Eltham remain with a one game gap on top of the ladder following Banyule’s win, while Diamond Creek slip to third but still hold a comfortable six point gap from the fourth placed Lower Plenty.
Mikael Avramov played his best game of the season and looked to be unphased by the wet and muddy conditions. His stellar day out would be capped off with being named as his side’s best player for the third time this season.
Lane Sinclair was also influential, finding plenty of the ball as did teammate and co-captain Darcy Vallance.
James Minahan took full advantage of his first senior call-up of the season, finishing the day as the Panthers leading scorer with three majors. Having kicked 24 goals in eight games in the reserves throughout 2022, Minahan had no issues finding the goals against a strong opposition defence.
In the losing effort, defender Jack Empey was Diamond Creek’s best player with another impressive performance in the backline. In trying conditions, he’d play a major part in setting up his side’s attack, with his intercept marking.
Andrew Elward and Sam Gleeson had solid days out further afield while Nicholas Barro battled hard in the ruck and finished the day with three goals.
The Panthers had a bright start to the match kicking five goals to one in the first term to quickly establish a handy 24-point quarter time lead.
Diamond Creek were able to slowly claw their way back into the contest with a four major second term, but despite Eltham only registering three scoring shots for the quarter, their accurate goalkicking allowed them to still hold a 16-point lead at the main break.
In what’s been a rare occasion for the Panthers this season, the visitors had a goalless quarter in the third term, but the Creekers could only kick one major of their own and as a result, still trailed by 10 points at three quarter time.
Andrew Tranquilli’s side threw everything at the ladder leaders in the final term, with Barro getting the Creekers within three points with just over five minutes to go.
Diamond Creek then had the perfect opportunity to go ahead when Sage Dicello marked inside fifty before just missing his set shot.
The Panthers would then go coast to coast and goal to regain the momentum before Daniel Jarvis slotted one shortly after from the boundary to put the game out of reach for the Creekers.
