Diamond Creek gracious in defeat to North Heidelberg in Northern Football League Division 2 grand final

IT was a classy gesture from a coach who knew his team had been outplayed.

Brad Perry marks in front of North Heidelberg opponent Michael Florance. Picture: Andy Brownbill.

IT was a classy gesture from a coach who knew his team had been outplayed.

With about five minutes on the clock in the Northern Football League Division 2 grand final, Diamond Creek’s Craig Hayes made a beeline for his North Heidelberg counterpart Steve Saddington.

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The pair shared a handshake, a pat on the back and a few words.

It was a moment shared by two coaches with mutual respect as North Heidelberg closed in on a 77-point victory.

Brad Perry gets tackled by Brody Tardio during the NFL Division 2 grand final between North Heidelberg and Diamond Creek. Picture: Andy Brownbill.  

What was said will likely remain between Hayes and Saddington, however it was something few in the packed crowd at Preston City Oval will forget.

Hayes said the Creekers had plenty to be proud of after their under-19, reserves and senior sides qualified for grand finals.

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“As I said to the boys after the game, North were in this same position 12 months ago,” Hayes said.

“That is what we will be looking to do, to correct it next year.”

Diamond Creek stands arm in arm pre-match. Picture: Andy Brownbill.

The Dogs were far superior from start to finish in the decider, triumphing 19.15 (129) to 7.10 (52).

Hayes sensed at halftime his side was in trouble after being outscored in the second quarter despite kicking with the wind.

“We needed a really big effort in the third (quarter) and just weren’t able to get that right,” he said.

Ty Franks tangles with Shane Harvey during the NFL Division 2 grand final. Picture: Andy Brownbill.

Diamond Creek lost ruckman Josh Marchbank in the second quarter to injury and played with 16 men when Brad Perry and Chris Moloney were sent off within minutes of each other.

The Creekers produced their best period of the game despite the numerical disadvantage, booting three goals in four minutes to draw within 29 points.

However that was as close as they would come as best on ground Jesse Tardio, Shane Harvey, Mitch Dillon and Brody Tardio led North Heidelberg to a commanding win.

“The only way for youth to get experience is to get exposure,” Hayes said.

“They got great exposure today. Those same kids that probably didn’t perform the way they would have liked today, next year I am sure we will see a much improved effort from them. “Yeah, you need to recruit. But I am not going out to get 35-year-olds. That’s pointless.”

Ryan Burrell, who kept AFL games record holder Brent Harvey in check, Jedd McQueen and Tyler Barnes were Diamond Creek’s standouts.