NFL 2018: Diamond Creek has five matches to salvage its Northern Football League campaign after heavy loss to Banyule

OUTSIDE the top four for the first time this year, Diamond Creek has five matches to salvage its Northern Football League campaign.

NFL Football: Anzac Day round Diamond Creek versus Lalor at Coventry Oval, Diamond Creek. Picture: Steve Tanner

OUTSIDE the top four for the first time this year, Diamond Creek has five matches to salvage its Northern Football League campaign.

The Creekers were dismantled by fellow finals contender Banyule on Saturday, thumped 20.13 (133) to 8.6 (54) to tumble to fifth on the Division 2 ladder.

Diamond Creek surrendered more than 10 per cent as a result of the 79-point loss, allowing the Bears to claim third spot and Thomastown to climb into fourth.

WEEKEND OF DROUGHT-BREAKING WINS

NFL 2018: NORTHCOTE PARK STAR A MEDAL CONTENDER

“We will have to play very well in our last five games to give ourselves even a chance of playing finals,” coach Craig Hayes said.

The Creekers have a bye this weekend due to their Good Friday season opener against Eltham.

The 2017 grand finalist takes on winless Watsonia, top-two sides Lower Plenty and Eltham, Fitzroy Stars and Thomastown in its remaining games.

Hayes said the absence of a key group of players including Cameron Wild, Michael Rogneda, Mitch Wild and Danyon Kambouris had hampered his team.

“If we get all these fellows back and get them on the park, there’s no reason why we couldn’t string four wins or five wins in a row (together),” he said.

Diamond Creek is facing a battle to reclaim its top-four spot. Picture: Steve Tanner.

Leading goalkicker Jess Cosaitis was also ruled out for the season after breaking his leg in Round 9.

Unbeaten Eltham is assured of a finals berth, while Lower Plenty is only two wins away from guaranteeing itself a top-two finish.

A major semi-final between Eltham and Lower Plenty is on the cards, with Banyule, Thomastown and Diamond Creek jockeying for the remaining finals spots.

Bailey Jordan (seven goals) and James Kroussoratis (four) put the Creekers to the sword on Saturday.

Banyule established a 21-point advantage by the first break and the contest was over by halftime when its lead had blown out to 52 points.

Eltham stretched its winning streak to 13 games when it defeated Lower Plenty by eight points on Saturday, while Epping defeated Watsonia by 37 and Thomastown accounted for Fitzroy Stars by 29.

Bundoora, Macleod, North Heidelberg, Northcote Park and Heidelberg were successful in Division 1, while St Mary’s, Mernda, Heidelberg West and Panton Hill enjoyed wins in Division 3.