Thomastown moved within one win of an A Plus Labour Solutions Division 2 finals berth by defeating Diamond Creek by 30 points at Coventry Oval.
In what was built up as a must-win game for both sides, the Demons were ahead by a point 10 minutes into the final term after leading for the majority of the game.
But three last quarter goals from Thomastown’s Shannon Ball swung all the momentum towards the visitors, who ran home to a 17.7 (109) to 11.13 (79) victory.
Despite dropping from third to fourth spot on percentage, the Bears are now six points clear of Diamond Creek and a in a great position to secure a finals berth in 2019.
After kicking seven and four goals respectively last week, Thomastown duo Brayden Plant and Anthony Capeci continued to dominate up forward, kicking five between them and remaining a threat every time they touched the football.
Daniel Caruso and Ben Nesci were also impressive, winning the ever-important midfield battle.
Jacob Booth and Jai Norman stood up at important times for the home side while two goals each at critical times from Daniel Shallard and Jack Empey were handy efforts.
It was an entertaining first quarter between the two rivals who had produced some great contests in recent battles.
The first 10 minutes were goal for goal with both sides producing excellent forward 50 targets. Diamond Creek was the more dominant side for the rest of the term however with Norman and Empey providing plenty up forward.
But the Demons couldn’t convert, while at the other end strong marking and converting from Capeci and Plant saw Thomastown skip to 5.0.30, while Diamond Creek was 4.5.29 at the first change.
It was all Diamond Creek for most of the second quarter. The home side kicked the first four goals of the term, highlighted by a brilliant running goal from Nathan Searl, to lead by as much as 21 points halfway through the quarter.
But the Bears were able to keep themselves in the contest with goals from Ben Nesci and Daniel Chadwick reducing the deficit to 10 points at half time.
The third quarter started similarly to the first. Both sides traded goals in the first 10 minutes, but the Demons still had the lead. Jai Norman put on a terrific marking display including a fantastic mark against three Thomastown players.
But his two set shots went out on the full and the Creekers would pay the price not long after when Capeci snapped a brilliant goal on the boundary to level proceedings during time on.
With their top-four chances on the line, Diamond Creek had a fast start to the final quarter with repeat inside 50 entries and a great second goal from Searl, which put the home side eight points up.
Shannon Ball then lifted for the Bears, kicking several brilliant goals to lead a Thomastown charge l, where they kicked seven of the next eight majors to win by 30 points.
Thomastown now has the bye to rest before two massive games against Whittlesea and Banyule to finish off the season.
Diamond Creek have two winnable games in Watsonia and St Mary’s before finishing the season with the bye.
Final score: Diamond Creek 11.13 (79) def by Thomastown 17.7 (109)
