Diamond Creek makes it seven wins in a row against Thomastown
Diamond Creek is riding a seven-game winning streak after putting a major dent in Thomastown’s NFL Division 2 finals hopes on Saturday.
Northern
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Diamond Creek is riding a seven-game winning streak as it eyes off a double chance in NFL Division 2.
The Creekers put a major dent in Thomastown’s finals hopes with a 14-point win at Coventry Oval on Saturday and sit third on percentage.
Leading by just five points at the final change, the hosts kicked away in the fourth quarter to register a 10.7 (67) to 8.5 (53) victory.
A dominant performance from Jai Norman was a catalyst as the key forward booted three goals and marked almost anything that was kicked in his direction.
Diamond Creek also debuted mid-season acquisition David Mennen after the classy half-back walked out on Whittlesea.
Creekers coach Andrew Tranquilli said his players were starting to perfect the new game plan.
“We’re playing some good footy … we’re still making mistakes but what we’re seeing now is a group of 28 to 30 guys that are having a shared experience of developing the game plan together,” Tranquilli said.
“It’s a credit to the guys for learning something new and we’re starting to see some fruits from it.
“I really rate Thomastown, they’re a team that you think you might have them and then they’ll have a big momentum swing.
“With the way they play, all it takes is for the ball to bounce their way more often than not it makes them very dangerous.
“We knew they’d come but we had a plan that if the momentum was going their way for too long we could stifle it.”
Diamond Creek held a 12-point lead at half-time but that quickly evaporated as Thomastown made its move.
The Bears came within a kick at three-quarter-time but the change of ends broke the momentum and the Creekers kicked away with three goals to two.
Sage Dicello booted three goals to be the Creekers’ joint leading goalkicker, while Anthony Capeci bagged four majors and Thomastown.
Billy Empey, Hugh Kavanagh and Tyler Barnes were among the best for the winners and Jarryd Coulson, Tyla Barrow and Tyrone Leonardis were the Bears’ best in defeat.
Tranquilli heaped praise on Norman’s impact around the ground.
“Jai had a ripping day, scoreboard wise he was good, but it was more his work ethic around the ground,” he said.
“It was the Jai Norman of old where he was really confident in the air, marking the ball at its highest point, and I dare say he would have taken 15 marks for the day.”
Mennen made a solid debut having had limited training opportunities with his new teammates.
The half-back impressed in the first half of the season with Whittlesea but submitted a clearance after coach Blair Harvey was axed.
“Dave probably would have played with us from the start if he knew Tom Bennett was signing with us,” Tranquilli said.
“He came to training, he saw what we’re about, he liked what we’re about and the culture of our club – we’re always looking to improve.
“He’s going to be a good player for us but first game with a new crew … it’s going to take a couple of games to gel.
“Credit to Whittlesea, that was an awesome thing where they realised the player didn’t want to be there any more and didn’t make him sit out a year of footy.”
The win moves Diamond Creek two games clear of Lower Plenty in fourth after the Bears lost a thriller to Eltham.
The Creekers travel to Epping on Saturday before key clashes against Watsonia (away), Eltham (home), Lower Plenty (away) and St Mary’s (home).
Tranquilli is taking nothing for granted in what looms as the tightest Division 2 finals race in years.
“I’m not surprised about where we are,” he said.
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“The initial goal was to make top five and top three from there but there’s still a long way to go.
“We’ve got a challenging four or five weeks ahead of us and Epping at Epping is a game you can never take lightly.
“St Mary’s, Watsonia aren’t far behind and I still think Thomastown is a sneaky chance, you’d be a brave man to suggest Thomastown’s season is done and dusted.”
Thomastown face the daunting task of keeping its season alive against Banyule at Main Street Reserve on Saturday.
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