A brilliant performance from Diamond Creek has seen them go one game clear on top of the MC Labour Division 2 ladder after a 21-point victory over Eltham at Coventry Oval.
Thanks to their impressive defensive capabilities, the Creekers led at every break, emerging victorious with a 9.6 (60) to 6.3 (39) triumph.
Andrew Tranquilli’s men have now gone nine matches unbeaten, and remarkably only conceded one more point on Saturday than their 38-point average in 2023.
Matthew Lewis, Billy Bedford and Nathan Searl starred across the incredible backline, and ensured Eltham’s transitional play was disrupted all afternoon.
Sage Dicello and Ryan Pingree led the goalscoring for the Creekers with two majors each in the tightly contested affair while in his third match of the season, Ewan MacPherson was always busy, winning the ball around the ground.
In his first appearance at Coventry Oval since last playing for the club in 2011, Jesse Donaldson worked tirelessly around the ground, pressuring the Diamond Creek ball carriers, and was often the source of damaging passages of play for the Panthers.
His efforts were replicated by Joshua Merkel, whose composure was invaluable in Eltham’s defensive 50. His efficient kicking often was the visitors best tool for breaking the Creekers’ defensive block, which was relentless throughout the match.
To the delight of the packed grandstand, Diamond Creek achieved the perfect start through Ryan Pingree’s relaxed set-shot within three minutes of action.
The Creekers dominated the territory battle, but Sage Dicello’s contested snap from 30 metres would be their only other major for the quarter, as Eltham held on well to keep the deficit to 12 points.
Colm Culligan’s contested marking ability was a lively forward threat for the Panthers, as they were forced to kick high inside their attacking 50 in response to a disciplined Diamond Creek defence.
Eltham responded early in the second term through an uncommon set shot opportunity for star ruck Tom Goodwin. After confidently sailing his kick through the middle from a slight angle and a 40-metre distance, Goodwin would return to his enduring ruck battle with Nicholas Barro.
The two talented big men were well-matched, as neither team found a dominance of centre clearances.
Cameron Sullivan then put the Panthers within a point, but a costly turnover from captain Darcy Vallance in the back-pocket gifted Diamond Creek the momentum.
The Creekers would claim the final three goals of the term and entered their change rooms with a 19-point lead at half time.
They continued this surge into the third term, as their list of unique goalkickers broadened through collected finishes by Tyler Barnes and Dale Marshall.
Now boasting a 32-point lead, the men in red and blue looked close to taking an unassailable lead, but both James Minahan and Jesse Donaldson kept the margin in sight for Eltham, before, before Diamond Creek again pushed the lead out to 25-points.
Knowing that a defeat would likely mean losing the minor premiership race, Eltham battled courageously from the onset of the last quarter.
Coach Tim Bongetti’s fierce determination to put his body on the line lifted his troops, and a move of Daniel Owen into the midfield created some exciting ball movement for the Panthers.
Within three minutes Jason McCormick benefited from this pressure and kicked a goal from directly in front, igniting belief throughout the team.
Eltham created numerous chances in the following minutes, but the Diamond Creek backline held strong against its toughest challenge of the day.
As the game approached time-on the Panthers’ belief began to dwindle, and the Creekers’ electrifying ball movement delivered a perfect kick to Ryan Pingree, who assured the victory from just metres out.
The sea of Diamond Creek supporters celebrated rapturously, as their team closed out an impressive 21-point victory and took a big step towards the minor premiership.
