Diamond Creek has advanced to the Division 2 MC Labour preliminary final, on the back of a comprehensive 71-point victory over Lower Plenty at Epping Recreational Reserve.
The windy conditions made the game tricky to navigate for both teams, but it didn’t stop the Creekers from playing a consistent four quarter performance to progress, kicking nine goals to one after half time to finish 13.10 (88) to 2.5 (17) victors.
Andrew Elward’s love affair with Lower Plenty continued in the final with a four-goal effort. In his only other senior game of the season, Elward booted four majors, which was also against the Bears back in Round 16.
Victorious coach Andrew Tranquilli lauded Elward’s ability to not just hit the scoreboard, but also set up teammates on every occasion possible.
“He’s a selfless player; he’s a team player first but it also represents what our values are as well, it’s always team first,” he said.
Tom Baird and Daniel Jarvis both impressed inside 50 as well, slotting three goals each, while Tyler Barnes and Jacob Booth were brilliant further up the ground, with their dominance in stoppages helping the Creekers get on the board in this finals series.
Veteran Patrick Flynn did all he could for the Bears, with the ruckman being named his sides best player in yet another excellent display. He was chaired off post-match alongside Billy Barden, potentially signalling their final games in Lower Plenty colours.
Despite the disappointing result, first-year Bears coach Travis Stephens was proud of his side’s season.
“It’s a positive year for the club and the young group we got going forward… the fact we blooded so many young kids… they can play at the level,” he said.
Having first crack with a heavy wind advantage, it was crucial for Lower Plenty to apply early scoreboard pressure.
They did manage to kick the opening goal through Tyler Wallace, whose clearance kick from the middle of the ground took several bounces and somehow made its way through the big sticks.
The Creekers however immediately replied, thanks to Elward who snapped truly over his shoulder under pressure.
It was the first of what would be six consecutive goals from Diamond Creel, paving the way for what turned to be an unassailable lead.
Clever forward craft from Creekers livewire Daniel Jarvis saw his side gain momentum, with his major coming shortly after Elward’s.
The conditions made hitting targets in the forward half difficult for both teams, with the defensive units of each side holding strong to run out the opening term and see Diamond Creek take a three-point advantage at the first change.
Elward would get the Creekers rolling after the restart, with the wind assisting his long bomb to produce the maximum score, before the warning signs started to appear for Lower, as Tom Baird’s snap at goal added to the damage.
The Bears did well to stop the bleeding, thereafter, as by getting their hands on the footy, not only did it stop the Creekers’ lead from growing, but it also created chances for the Bears to reduce the deficit.
Lower Plenty would only manage one behind for the entire second term, but Diamond Creek didn’t fare much better, only registering minor scores from their final five attempts on goal to see the margin sit at 19 points at the main break.
Despite kicking against the strong breeze to start the third term, Tranquilli urged his players to take the game on and add scoreboard pressure.
“We wanted to dominate the third quarter, so we put a few things in place to make sure we counteracted,” he said post-game.
The message was received, and his unit delivered. First through Matthew Brennan, who was the beneficiary of a downfield free kick, and then Elward, who found his third major of the day after keeping the ball alive on the behind line and wiggling his way through to complete his shot at goal.
Elward again asserted himself on the contest shortly afterwards, slotting his fourth major along the boundary in what was goal of the day, completing the run of six consecutive Diamond Creek goals to break the semi-final wide open.
Seth Hill would eventually break run of goals by the Creekers, with the Lower Plenty big man reading it best off hands in the goal square and registering the final score of the third term, to reduce the deficit to 31 points.
The Creekers would then run out the game strong, managing six final term goals, four of which were in stoppage time while keeping their opposition scoreless in the process.
Tom Baird and Daniel Jarvis added to their respective goal tallies, with Elward assisting both goals, capping off great afternoons for all three men and solidifying a huge 71-point semi-final victory.
