DIAMOND Creek sealed its place in the Division 2 preliminary final following a thrilling one-point victory over the Fitzroy Stars.
With the Stars leading by five points, a free kick on the siren gave Kane Tenace the opportunity to become a club hero.
Tenace slotted home the goal to give the Demons a 13.7 (85) to 13.6 (84) first semi final victory at Epping Recreation Reserve.
With both sides so evenly positioned on the ladder, there were always expectations of a fitting finale.
The Demons did well to prevent the Stars from kicking over 100 points, while the Stars did well to claw their way back into the match when they were 29 points down at three quarter time.
But in the crucial moments it was the key players who stood up for the Demons and ensured they remained in contention for their first premiership since 2005.
Nathan Searl and Daniel Shallard both looked injured halfway through the final term but managed to will themselves into the thick of the contest.
For the Stars, Daniel Francis booted three goals and was an ever-present threat up forward, while Kane Proctor and Jai Burns were superb in the midfield.
A game that will be remembered by both fans for many years to come started in entertaining fashion, with end-to-end football the mantra in the opening term.
Diamond Creek kicked the first two goals of the game through Jack Prosser and Jai Norman, but the Stars were able to reply with three goals of their own, before the Demons kicked the final three goals of the quarter.
The Demons dominance continued in the second term as Daniel Shallard, Brad Perry and Timothy Chapman booted goals to make it six-straight for Craig Hayes’ side.
The Stars were able to reduce the margin to 15 points before half time as Daniel Francis and Aaron Clark kicked truly before the break.
Though Diamond Creek held a 15-point lead at half time, the game felt as though it was still in the balance.
John Hayes gave Fitzroy the best of starts to the second half, kicking a goal within the opening minute.
But the quarter went the way of Diamond Creek, whose clean possession and pressure at the contest saw its create numerous chances and kick five goals in the term.
The Stars needed to pull a rabbit out of the hat if they were going to win the game and face Hurstbridge in the preliminary final.
The fairytale almost eventuated for the Stars as they kicked five goals in the first half of the final term to snatch a one-point lead.
The Stars looked a team on a mission and played on at all cost, while Diamond Creek went into its shell and could not get any flow to its game.
But at a time when sides usually crumble, the Demons held their nerve and had many attacking plays late in the quarter.
The Demons resolve finally paid dividends, as Tenace became an instant hero with a goal after the siren.
Stars players and fans were left gutted after the siren, knowing if the siren sounded a few seconds earlier they would have secured a place in the second week of the finals.
But football can be a cruel game and the Stars will have six months to regroup for a bigger and better 2017.
Diamond Creek’s great escape will see it return to Epping Recreation Reserve this Saturday to face Hurstbridge, with the winner playing North Heidelberg in the grand final.
Final score: Fitzroy Stars 13.6 (84) def by Diamond Creek 13.7 (85)
