Diamond Creek have steamrolled Whittlesea to win their way back to the MC Labour Division 2 Grand Final, producing an emphatic 93-point triumph in the preliminary final at Epping Recreational Reserve.
After a four-goal to one opening term, the Creekers put their foot down with an incredible six-goal to one second term, to produce their second highest score of the season in the 18.14 (122) to 3.11 (29) victory.
In what was the side’s best performance of the season, there’d be no shortages of contributors, though none were larger than that of Matthew Lewis who put in a superb showing. Having been a rock in the defensive end for his side all season, he’d put in another stellar performance, with his defensive work playing a large part in the side coughing up just three goals for the afternoon.
Further afield Ben Major was impressive, while the duo of Jacob Booth and Tyler Barnes continued to be the stars of the show for the Creekers, both having brilliant days rotating across half-forward and the middle of the ground.
Barnes was one of six players to kick multiple goals for the afternoon, with Tom Baird, Andrew Elward and Jett McLaughlan leading the way with three majors apiece. Elward has now kicked six goals in his two finals matches in 2024.
The Eagles, despite winning their first 16 matches of the season, have bowed out of the finals series in straight sets, ending their streak of Grand Final appearances in their first seasons back in Division 2.
Riley Carter ended his individual campaign on a high, finishing as his side’s best. He has now been in his side’s best in three of his last four games, while Steven Dempsey was also a standout for Whittlesea in the loss.
Signs were positive from the outset for Andrew Tranquilli’s men, as they kicked the opening two majors of the match inside six minutes of playing time. They would finish the first term with two more goals and despite registering fewer scoring shots, would lead by three straight kicks at quarter time.
The Eagles being wasteful with their chances would haunt them severely in the second term, as they managed just two more shots on goal while the Creekers piled on six goals from 12 scoring shots.
Diamond Creek would produce the first four goals in a 11-minute span to suddenly lead by 42 points halfway through the second term. The goal blitz came on the back of some terrific work from Andrew Elward as well as some slick ball use by his teammates both in the midfield and up forward.
Matt Langford would finally end the run of Creekers goals when he kicked Whittlesea’s maiden goal of the game at the 17-minute mark, but they were unable to build any momentum from that major, kicking two more goals to give Diamond Creek a remarkable 53-point lead at the main break.
With a nine-goal lead at the main break, the Eagles needed a miracle to work their way back into the game. But thoughts of a great comeback were snuffed out when Tyler Barnes and Daniel Jarvis kicked the opening two majors for Andrew Tranquilli’s men in the middle of the term.
At that stage the lead had ballooned out to 65 points and the Creekers had all but secured a return to next week’s decider.
Not content on taking their foot off the brake in the final term, Diamond Creek were dominant until the end. They would boot the next five unanswered goals, with the ball barely being seen inside Whittlesea’s forward 50 for the term.
Finishing the match strongly, Andrew Tranquilli and his men will be full of confidence that they can go one better in 2024 and prevail in next week’s Grand Final.
