Diamond Creek ‘not running on all cylinders’ despite undefeated start

Diamond Creek made it four wins from four starts but ominously for rivals, coach Andrew Tranquilli says his team isn’t running on all cylinders yet.

Sitting undefeated on top of the NFNL Division 2 ladder, Diamond Creek has made a blistering start to the season.

However, ominously for rivals, Creekers coach Andrew Tranquilli believes his team still has plenty of room for improvement.

Last year’s preliminary finalists are one of two teams left unbeaten after four rounds following a 54-point hammering of South Morang on Saturday night.

“Numbers and results wise we couldn’t have asked for a better start,” Tranquilli said.

“We’re still not perfect and not running on all cylinders, so it’s pleasing that we’re getting the job done and have room for improvement.

Lochlan Brannelly gets a kick for Diamond Creek. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“We’re still a bit scrappy at times and credit to the other teams, you can’t have control 100 per cent, but sometimes we have lapses in concentration.”

The Lions were also unbeaten heading into the match at Coventry Oval but were held to just two goals and six scoring shots as the Creekers prevailed 10.10 (70) to 2.4 (16).

Diamond Creek’s inaccuracy cost it an even bigger win, kicking 3.7 in the first half to take a 14-point margin into half-time.

However, it found its range in the second half kicking 7.3, including four straight in a commanding fourth quarter.

Creekers forward Tyler Barnes was the only multiple goalkicker in the match with two, while Nathan Searl and Nick Barro were dominant in defence.

“There was a strong message at three-quarter-time that we wanted to finish the game on our terms, Tranquilli said.

“It was a five-goal lead and relatively safe to say ‘OK, maybe the job’s done’ but we wanted to finish strong and made sure we got our hands on the ball first.

“Nathan was super, his best game for the year, he really controlled the backline.

Tyler Barnes kicked two goals for Diamond Creek. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“He read the ball well, intercepted, and hit the scoreboard at the same time, he and our whole backline have a good harmony in terms of how support each other at the moment.”

While Eltham and Panton Hill grabbed the headlines over the summer, Diamond Creek had a strong recruiting campaign as well.

Mitch Tobin, Brenton Keating, Billy Bedford, Dale Marshall, Jacob Mayne and Tarwan Rennie have all arrived and made strong contributions in the opening month.

Tom Atwell also made his club debut against South Morang.

“They’re finding their ground – Mitch Tobin, Dale Marshall, Brenton Keating and Tom Atwell in his first game for the club at full-back,” Tranquilli said.

“Tom’s had a good two or three weeks in the reserves and with Matt Lewis out with concussion it was a good opportunity, our backline is like the Australian cricket team once you’re in it’s hard to get out.”

Diamond Creek will face the Redbacks and Panthers in the next fortnight in a test of all three clubs’ aspirations.

Team of the Year defender Lewis and forward Ryan Pingree are expected to return for match against Panton Hill, while Sage Dicello is still a couple of weeks away with a foot injury.

Tranquilli was looking forward to the challenge.

“You could say they’re our two local derbies,” he said.

“Panton Hill has recruited well over the summer and I’ve got no doubt they’ll give us a good solid contest and be aggressive at the ball.

“Then we have Eltham after that, they’re a class outfit, we’re all chasing Eltham.

“Yes, we’re on top but we restrict sides to give us the best opportunity to win the game but Eltham are pretty lethal forward of the ball, they’ve got a few weapons.”

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Deacon Kalpakis was South Morang’s best in defeat, while Tye Hall, Bailey Brown and Nathan Bell also impressed.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Lions with a clash against Eltham at Central Park on Saturday.

Elsewhere in Division 2, Panton Hill secured its first win of the season, defeating Lower Plenty by 22 points and the Panthers smashed Epping by 119 points.

Thomastown were too good for Watsonia to the tune of 66 points and St Mary’s won its second game on the trot, defeating Northcote Park by 41.