Diamond Creek have remained undefeated after defeating Whittlesea by 31 points in a top of the table MC Labour Division 2 clash at the Whittlesea Showgrounds.
In tough conditions the Creekers were cleaner and ran out the game strongly, with a three goal to one final term seeing them win 9.14 (68) to 5.7 (37).
Andrew Tranquilli’s men now move a game clear at the top of the MC Labour Division 2 table and are the only undefeated side left in the division.
Whittlesea have now dropped down to third due to a drop in percentage and after Macleod’s three-point victory over Lower Plenty.
While it may’ve been tough conditions, Dale Marshall was clean whenever he had possession of the footy alongside Jacob Booth.
Blake Hamilton and Brenton Keating were terrific in defence while Ben Major and Kade Garraway were the biggest threats for the Creekers in attack.
For the Eagles midfielders Thomas Falls and Taidhg Bland were serviceable yet again while the experience of Paul Higgins and Lucas Hobbs shone.
It was Diamond Creek that got off to the fast start in the contest, putting plenty of pressure on the Whittlesea defence with repeat entries.
This saw them kick the first four goals of the contest, quickly rushing out to a 25-point lead at the 24-minute mark of the opening quarter.
Garry Ramsay’s side managed to peg that lead back down to two goals at quarter time after majors from Riley Carter and Clayton McCartney.
They were able to build on the momentum gained late in that term by putting the Creekers under the pump. This resulted in them kicking the first two goals of the term, making it a one-point ball game as half time loomed.
Some ill-discipline late from the hosts resulted in Diamond Creek kicking two late goals through Ewan Macpherson and Brenton Keating to extend their advantage out to 13 points at the main break.
At the start of the third Diamond Creek looked to also build on that momentum they’d gained late in the first half. However, Whittlesea’s defence stood tall to and even created rebound opportunities for their side.
Neither side was able to kick a major in the third, with Diamond Creek kicking three behinds to Whittlesea’s one which resulted in a 15-point advantage to the Creekers heading into the final break.
Diamond Creek was the side to gain the ascendancy early in the last term, with Kade Garraway’s second major seeing them hold a 21-point lead.
Lucas Hobbs then gave the Eagles some life with his only goal of the match before Marshall all but sealed the game for Diamond Creek with a terrific running goal 15 minutes into the last.
Ben Major then put the cherry on top of a terrific performance for the Creekers and make it another win greater than five goals this season.
