NFL 2018: Diamond Creek upsets Eltham to set up last-round showdown with finals rival Thomastown

DIAMOND Creek and Thomastown will be playing for a finals spot in NFL Division 2 when they meet in the last round of the regular season.

DON’T write off Diamond Creek yet.

The Creekers’ season is alive heading into the last round of the Northern Football League Division 2 campaign after a stirring win over minor premier Eltham on Saturday.

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Last year’s runner-up led from the opening exchanges at Coventry Oval, claiming a 12.14 (86) to 9.9 (63) victory to stay within striking distance of fourth-placed Thomastown.

The Creekers are one game and 1.77 per cent behind the Bears, but that deficit is almost certain to be wiped out if they defeat Thomastown in Round 18.

“You play an elimination final before the actual elimination final,” Diamond Creek coach Craig Hayes said.

“It’s a good challenge for us.”

With key personnel filtering back into the side, the Creekers have won three of their past four games to stay in the finals mix.

Diamond Creek ruckman Josh Marchbank was best afield on Saturday against Eltham. Picture: Steve Tanner

“A final four, the double chance is almost irrelevant in my mind,” Hayes said.

“Bit different in a final five. In a final four, if you win your elimination you’re in a prelim. If you are playing off in a prelim, you have got every right to expect that you can make a big splash.”

This weekend’s clash will be the third time Diamond Creek and Thomastown have faced off this year.

The Bears took the honours by 30 points in Round 5 and prevailed again in their next bout by 21.

“They are really strong around the contest,” Hayes said.

“Both sides are playing for a spot in the finals, so you wouldn’t think you would get anything less.”

A victory in Round 18 would pit the Creekers against Banyule in a knockout semi-final.

Eltham has stitched up the minor premiership despite losing its past two matches, while Lower Plenty will finish second.

Ruckman Josh Marchbank, Danyon Kambouris and Josh Lorey were superb for Diamond Creek on Saturday in its win over the Panthers.

The Division 1 finalists were decided in Round 17, with North Heidelberg and West Preston-Lakeside to meet in a qualifying final and Greensborough to tackle Bundoora in an elimination final next weekend.

Division 3 finals start on Saturday, with St Mary’s to face Panton Hill before South Morang’s do-or-die fixture against Laurimar.