Fitzroy Stars smashed Diamond Creek in their second game back on Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval to move into second place on the Division 2 ladder.
After the Creekers led at the first change, the Stars never turned back, amassing 24 goals after the first term to romp to 26.18 (174) to 16.12 (108) victory.
In a high-scoring encounter, the Creekers score of 108 would have been a winning score on most other days, but with Fitzroy’s star players dominating, it was never going to be enough.
The Creekers got off to a better start and kicked the first two goals of the match, before the Stars replied immediately with two straight.
However, much like their first encounter against the Stars back in Round 2, the Creekers outscored their hosts throughout the rest of the term to go into the first break 17-point leaders.
A couple of goal exchanges at the start of the second term transpired before the Stars compiled four unanswered goals to take a 10-point lead at half time.
The start of the third term was much more congested with neither side able to draw first blood early on. Finally, in the seventh minute, the Stars got the breakthrough goal via Lionel Proctor, but the Creekers hit straight back through Rikki Stephens.
Corey Wanganeen replied for the Stars to push the lead back out to 16 but the Creekers, once again, replied through Nathan Byatt. This was the last the Creekers got within single digits of the Stars.
From there, Fitzroy outscored Diamond Creek by six goals to one to go into the final term 34-points ahead. The home side ran rampant in the final 10 minutes of the third as Malcolm Dow and Lionel Proctor dominated the centre clearances.
Fitzroy kept its momentum by kicking the first goal of the last quarter through Alex Isailovic, before the Creekers replied through Stephens. The Stars put the result beyond doubt with four goals in a row before the Creekers halted the short spurt of brilliance with two quick goals.
With the four points already secured, the Stars completed their rampage and, importantly, boosted their percentage with the next five unanswered goals before the Stephens kicked a consolation goal in the dying stages.
Dow was clearly best afield in a dominant midfield display. He was ably assisted by Proctor and Patrick Davis who booted eight goals. John Hayes and Wanganeen also chipped in with four apiece.
The Creekers only shining lights were Stephens – who also finished with eight goals – and youngster Oliver Parks.
Fitzroy Stars remain at home this week to take on North Heidelberg in another battle for second place whilst Diamond Creek faces off against local rival Hurstbridge at home.
Final score: Fitzroy Stars 26.18 (174) def Diamond Creek 16.12 (108)
