LALOR notched up its first win of the season with a thrilling five-point victory over undefeated Diamond Creek in Round 3.
A five-goal haul from full forward, Todd Hughes and a best on ground display from Scott Dowell set up the 12.7 (79) to 11.8 (74) victory.
In a game, which saw numerous lead changes, Lalor showed glimmers of the footy that led them to last year’s Grand Final.
With AFL legend Kevin Sheedy present to toss the coin, Lalor looked like a side on a mission to impress. The home side’s high intensity brand of football saw them kick the first three goals of the game, two coming off the boot of Hughes.
Contrary to the Bloods, Diamond Creek was sloppy in possession and failed to capitalise on many of its forward 50 entries.
That changed when Daniel Shallard kicked the Demons first and Oliver Parks added a second within a minute to cut the Bloods’ lead to three points at quarter time.
The second term saw the Demons return to the form that had seen them win their first two games of the season.
If not for wayward set shots, the Demons could have led by more than four points at half time. Parks is one player who will need goal kicking practice this week, after taking one of the worst set shots imaginable to miss from 15 metres out, directly in front.
It took more than half of the second term for the Demons to add to their goal tally, but when they did, it came from the boot of Simon Buchanan.
Matt Aquilina was awarded a 50-metre penalty and slotted a certain goal on the siren to give Diamond Creek a four-point lead at half time.
With the game evenly contested, Shallard and Hugh Kavanagh kicked early third term goals as the Demons looked to break the game open.
But to Lalor’s credit, it stayed resilient and managed to reclaim the lead via two goals from Hughes and a single to Dowell. The seesawing term continued as Lalor managed to peg a goal back whenever the Demons added to their tally.
A massive goal from outside 50 by Jedd McQueen was replicated by Spencer Christopher, who pulled down a massive contested mark and slotted home a major to reclaim the Bloods lead.
But as they did in the second term, the Demons converted the final two goals of the quarter to set up a nine-point advantage, heading into the final term.
Lalor, keen to avoid another defeat, looked the team more determined in the final quarter. The Bloods controlled the quarter and through their ball pressure they created many Diamond Creek turnovers.
Timmy Peck kick-started the Bloods fight back with a dribble goal to reduce the Demons lead to two points.
Hughes then slotted home his fifth goal for the game, through a snapped effort after a free kick was awarded to the Bloods on the boundary, 40 metres out from goal.
A silly 50-metre penalty given away by Kane Toronis enabled the Demons to register their first goal of the quarter and reclaim a one-point lead.
But all would be forgotten when Spencer Christopher snapped an incredible goal from the left forward pocket on his left foot to snatch back the lead for the Bloods.
The Demons tried to get the ball forward as quickly as possible, but there was not enough time as the Bloods held on for a five-point win.
Final score: Lalor 12.7 (79) def Diamond Creek 11.8 (74)
