Diamond Creek have ended Whittlesea’s hopes of an unbeaten MC Labour Division 2 campaign, after claiming a nine-point victory over the ladder leaders at Coventry Oval.
In a low scoring affair, the Creekers ended the match with nine more scoring shots, as their inaccuracy kept the Eagles in the hunt throughout the afternoon.
But the hosts held their nerve and didn’t lose their lead in the final quarter to run out 6.13 (49) to 6.4 (40) victors, prevailing over Whittlesea for the first time since 2009.
The victory means that Diamond Creek are still able to finish the season as minor premiers for a second consecutive year, particularly due to their superior percentage over Whittlesea.
The Creekers will need to defeat fellow top three side South Morang next week, while also hoping that Whittlesea go down to Northcote Park at Bill Lawry Oval in next week’s final round.
Nicholas Barro was outstanding in the ruck and was a crucial player in his side’s win. He was also one of six individual goalkickers for the afternoon, while Danyon Kambouris too impressed with one of his best performances of the season.
Matthew Lewis led a resolute Diamond Creek defence, in the absence of captain Nathan Searl who suffered an injury during the game, which kept the Eagles to their lowest score of the year. His side have now kept an opponent to 40 points or less for three consecutive weeks.
Xavier Dimasi did all he could for Whittlesea with a stellar display in midfield, while Mitch Andrews was just as influential as their side came short of a 17th straight win.
Paul Higgins kicked a season-high of three goals to keep the scoreboard ticking for the visitors.
Some great ball movement from the home side helped create the first major of the afternoon at the three-minute mark, when a pinpoint Ryan Pingree inside 50 entry found Nicholas Barro, before the big man went back and converted his set shot.
Andrew Tranquilli’s men were creating stoppages at every opportunity, putting constant pressure on their opponents, while when they did have the ball, they were lethal in transition, which almost produced a second goal inside the opening 10 minutes.
Instead, it was Whittlesea who would find the big sticks next, after a miraculous shot on goal from the boundary by Higgins dribbled its way through.
It sparked the Eagles into action as they created the next few opportunities before registering a second major of the day thanks to Matt Langford.
Garry Ramsay’s men led by five points at quarter time before the highest scoring term of the match would follow in the second, with five majors kicked between the two teams.
Both sides traded goals early, with Jacob Booth producing a brilliant snap from the boundary before Higgins converted his set shot for his second of the game.
It would continue to be goal for goal throughout the latter parts of the term, with Khaled El-Leissy and Tyler Barnes booting majors for their respective sides before the quarter ended with a brilliant individual effort from Lucas Hobbs, who found the big sticks from a forward 50 stoppage to help his team lead by seven points at the main break.
The third term saw Diamond Creek get back on top around the ball as they limited Whittlesea’s ability to get scores on the board.
The visitors were kept to one behind for the term, while the Creekers produced the quarter’s only goal after Dale Marshall nailed his shot on goal from just inside 50 to tie the scores.
Despite the ball staying in the home team’s forward half for the majority of the term, chances to take a comfortable lead into the final break were not taken, and Diamond Creek had to settle for a one-point advantage at three quarter time.
Consecutive minor scores from Andrew Tranquilli’s side commenced the last term, with the latter behind making it 12 behinds for the game, which threatened to come back and bite the hosts.
But a vital set shot conversion from Daniel Jarvis at the 16-minute mark helped the Creekers settle, as they took their lead out to 10 points.
Whittlesea responded immediately through Higgins to end a goal drought of almost two full quarters, but Ben Major would have the last say of the game, kicking the ball off the ground close to goal to cue the celebrations at Coventry Oval and secure a nine-point triumph for the hosts.
