DIAMOND CREEK moved a game and percentage clear in third position on the Division 2 ladder after recording a 72-point win over Lalor in Round 10.
The Demons held the Bloods to just one goal to three-quarter time, romping to a 14.19 (103) to 4.7 (31) triumph.
Their fifth win of the season moved them one step closer to their first finals appearance since 2013.
Jack Prosser continued his strong run of form for Diamond Creek with his second best on ground performance in three weeks. Michael Rogneda and Bryce Adams were also among the best.
Nathan Searl impressed up forward, kicking three majors, while Prosser, Wade Lowrie and Rory Kavanagh all slotted two.
Jordie Grainger was named best for Lalor in his first game for the club. He, along with Dylan Raabe and Jhye Baddeley-Kelly all fought hard in a losing effort.
Raabe was one of Lalor’s four goal kickers, with Todd Hughes, Shannon Smith and Ben Gibson all kicking singles.
Diamond Creek shot out of the blocks, kicking the first goal just minutes into the match through Tim Chapman.
However inaccuracy in front of goals meant the home side was only able to kick 2.6 for the quarter, as Tyler Barnes converted late to give his team a 16-point advantage at the first break.
Lalor struggled to get the ball into its forward half early and was only able to manage two behinds for the quarter.
Diamond Creek again found the ball in its forward half for much of the second term.
Goals to Simon Buchanan and Prosser extended the lead to 28 points early in the quarter, as the Demons began to convert their dominance into scoreboard pressure.
Smith was able to kick the Bloods’ first, but the away side was unable to wrestle momentum away from the Demons.
Goals to Kavanagh and Searl just before half time extended the home side’s lead to 37 points at the main break.
Diamond Creek was unrelenting after half time, with its tackling pressure around the ground forcing the Bloods into mistakes, something coach Craig Hayes praised following the match.
“If we’re working hard enough defensively and putting tackles on, it means we can set up behind the footy and get a re-entry into the forward line,” Hayes said.
The home side was able to kick four unanswered goals in the third term to go into the final change with an unassailable 63-point buffer.
Lalor was able to show some fight early in the final term as Raabe kicked an early goal. The Bloods slotted three of the first four majors to pull the margin back to 52 points.
However, the class of Diamond Creek prevailed again late as goals to Rogneda, Lowrie and Searl’s third extended the final margin to 72 points.
Diamond Creek has a bye in Round 11 before travelling to Main Street Reserve to face Thomastown the following week.
Lalor will face the Bears this week as both sides look for their third win of the season in the hope of gaining some momentum in the second half of the season.
Final score: Diamond Creek 14.19 (103) def Lalor 4.7 (31)
