Fitzroy Stars locked away second spot on the Division 2 ladder with a come from behind win over Diamond Creek at Coventry Oval in Round 16.
The Creekers led at every change, but couldn’t hold off the fast finishing Stars in the 13.20 (98) to 13.11 (89) result.
They home side had lost the lead briefly in the third stanza, but held a one-goal edge at the final change.
Stars’ coach Travis Hodgson believed his side won a few crucial contests through the midfield in the final quarter – and that proved to be the difference.
The last term was a pulsating affair. The Stars, through goals to Patrick Davis and Basil Sibosado, regained the lead and appeared to be full of running.
But Diamond Creek hit back hard with three of its own in quick succession. The first was posted by Graeme Brown. He marked 45 metres out on a 45 degree angle, ignored some leads and kicked a clutch goal.
A few minutes later, he marked again. This time he was beyond range, but managed to find Mitch Johnson in metres of space inside 50 with a Steve Johnson-type pass. Mitch Johnson then passed to a free Ryan Constance for an easy goal.
Simon Buchanan, playing deep forward for the first time all season, took a strong mark to kick another. It was his sixth for the day and it put the locals 12 points in front halfway through the term.
But the Stars responded soon after. Lionel Proctor had been finding plenty of the ball in midfield and using it well. He sent a long kick towards Davis, who was awarded a free and goaled from point blank range.
In time on, John Hayes had a set shot from the boundary and out near the 50 metre arc. Despite missing some much easier shots earlier in the day, this one was right on line and just cleared the pack for a goal.
This put the Stars in front and they never surrendered the lead thereafter.
The Demons were tremendous in their endeavour and pressure all day, but mistakes at vital times proved costly.
Their coach David Calthorpe rued the narrow loss, but he noted the effort was a positive step going into what he hopes to be a successful finals campaign.
Both teams wasted chances early in the contest. While a scoreline of 3.15 for the Stars at half time speaks for itself, the Creekers also missed some simple set shots in their period of first term dominance.
No tagging roles were assigned as each coach backed their players to win enough of the ball to kick a winning score.
Both teams contested fiercely for the ball. The game was played in good spirits, despite one spot fire in the third quarter which saw three players yellow carded.
The Creekers’ Travis Knight was productive in the midfield and took some good contested marks. Chris Moloney was useful around half forward, but missed two gettable shots.
For the Stars, Malcolm Dow’s use of the ball was exemplary, while Kaelun Brown was their best inside midfielder. Coree Thorpe was solid in defence.
With their opponents for the finals already known, both these worthy contenders can use the remaining two rounds to tune up for September action.
The Demons host South Morang in Round 17, while the Stars return to Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval for a match against Hurstbridge.
Final scores: Diamond Creek 13.11 (89) def Fitzroy Stars 13.20 (98)
