Eltham reclaimed third place on the MC Labour Division 2 ladder, with a dominant 68-point win over Diamond Creek at Eltham Central Park.
After a tight first quarter, Eltham cruised to a 15.10 (100) to 4.8 (32) victory, with the percentage-boosting result helping the Panthers leapfrog Thomastown on the ladder.
Eltham entered the match desperate for a win to get its season back on track after failing to overcome Thomastown last outing and responded in fashion.
The Panthers didn’t concede a goal until the final term and controlled the game from quarter-time onwards to record their best win of the season.
In support of men’s health and organisation ‘25 Stay Alive’, Eltham wore blue and white guernseys in the match.
Jackson Weatherald continued his outstanding form and was Eltham’s best player, providing plenty of drive off half-back.
Lane Sinclair continued to impress since moving to the forward line, with another great match. The young tall took many contested marks and kicked three majors, which included an impressive soccer off the ground.
Michael Still was also a dominant presence in his first game since Round 7, finishing with three goals.
Despite the tough result, Joel Randall was the clear standout for Diamond Creek, taking a plethora of intercept marks in defence and preventing many scoring opportunities.
Chris Moloney played a solid game on the wing and provided Diamond Creek with lots of drive forward.
Jai Norman played well in the forward line and finished off the match strongly, kicking three-goals in the last quarter.
The much-anticipated match started off slowly on the scoring front, with both teams failing to hit the scoreboard for the majority of the opening quarter.
Michael Still was able to kick a late goal to help Eltham take a 1.4 (10) to 0.2 (2) advantage into quarter time.
It was the second quarter that helped set up the win for the Panthers, where they asserted their dominance with a seven-goal to none blitz.
The quarter included classy dribble-kick goal from Anton Woods, with the Panthers’ captain among one of the key contributors in the win.
Coming out of half time Eltham continued its dominance and kicked five goals, while continuing to hold Diamond Creek goalless.
Given the sides were placed fourth and fifth on the ladder heading into the Round 12 encounter, few would have expected the home side to take a 13.8 (86) to 0.4 (4) lead into the final change.
Diamond Creek managed to hit the scoreboard in the fourth quarter, with key forward Jai Norman booting three majors and Nick Barro kicking one.
However, the final term improvement came far too late, with the Panthers romping to their eighth win of the campaign and second over the Creekers.
Final score: Eltham 15.10 (100) def Diamond Creek 4.8 (32)
ELTHAM
Goal Kickers: M. Still 3, D. Jarvis 3, M. Williamson 2, L. Sinclair 2, T. Carafa, C. Sullivan, A. Woods, K. O’Sullivan, D. Horsfield
Best Players: J. Weatherald, L. Sinclair, M. Still, T. Currie, K. O’Sullivan, A. Woods
DIAMOND CREEK
Goal Kickers: J. Norman 3, N. Barro
Best Players: J. Randall, T. Franks, J. Norman, C. Moloney, J. Watson, J. Walker
