Eltham claims critical four points in top-of-the-table win over Diamond Creek

Challenged by injury, Eltham emerged with a critical top-of-the-table away win over Diamond Creek to cement its premiership credentials.

Ben Smith in action for Eltham. Picture: Hamish Blair

Eltham’s enviable depth was tested but it emerged triumphant in the NFL Division 2 top-of-the-table blockbuster against Diamond Creek on Saturday.

The Panthers lost six players during the week, including co-captain Jackson Weatherald and vice-captain Kyle O’Sullivan, and two more during the game but left Coventry Oval with a stirring 14-point victory.

“They were fantastic, I’m really proud of the boys,” coach Rob Hyde said after the 10.3 (63) to 7.7 (49) victory.

“We had six blokes out and at half-time we had two blokes with hammies that couldn’t come back on.

“It was an ugly sort of game but they worked their backsides off and great credit to them they stuck to the task and got the four points.

Mikael Avramov in action for Eltham. Picture: Hamish Blair

“Eltham’s always bragged about having two under-19s but our seconds haven’t lost a game for two years and the blokes coming up fit in really well.

“We brought six in this week ... so it’s a positive we go so deep to cover injuries. We’re very lucky to have great depth.”

Weatherald (broken ankle), O’Sullivan (broken arm), Anton Woods (back), Finnbar Maley (overseas), Jason McCormick (NAB League) and Jameson Wood were out on Thursday night, while Luke Wachinger and Josh Merkel suffered hamstring injuries.

Co-captain Darcy Vallance was invaluable in his return and, in his first senior game of the season, James Minahan booted a team-high three goals.

The Panthers burst out of the blocks with a five-goal opening term before Diamond Creek drew level early in the second term with four unanswered goals.

However, another late burst saw Eltham take a 16-point lead into half-time.

The Creekers were within 10 points at three-quarter-time and with the first goal of the final term a comeback win loomed large.

However, led by Vallance, Declan Ayres and Lane Sinclair, Eltham’s defence held firm to deliver a critical four points.

“We only scored two goals after half-time, and that was late in the last quarter, but we kept them to a couple of goals as well so defensively we did a terrific job,” Hyde said.

Mikael Avramov was named the Panthers’ best in a strong performance.

Daniel Jarvis in action for Eltham. Picture: Hamish Blair

Joel Empey was Diamond Creek’s best in defeat, while Andrew Elward, Sam Gleeson and Nick Barro (three goals) also stood tall.

The result keeps Eltham a game clear of Banyule on top of the ladder while Diamond Creek slips to third a further game behind.

The Bears’ big 57-point win over St Mary’s sets up another top-of-the-table clash for Eltham, to be played at Beverley Road in a fortnight.

The Panthers tackle Panton Hill first and Hyde isn’t too concerned about ladder position.

“We’re just want to get the double chance and we’re still three-and-a-half games in front of Lower Plenty with five to go,” he said.

“As long as we can get first, second or third and get two cracks at it I reckon it’s pretty important.

“That’s going to be a big one, we’ve got Panton Hill first – who have improved – and then we’ve got Banyule – we’re looking to finish as strongly as we can.”

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Eltham hopes the spate of injuries will turn this week with the likes of Michael Still and Brayden Taglieri set to return.

Woods and McCormick could also be available but Weatherald is facing the prospect of missing the rest of the season and O’Sullivan will see a specialist to learn the extent of his injury.

Diamond Creek’s hopes of a double chance will be tested when it travels to Lower Plenty on Saturday.

The Bears sit a game-and-a-half behind in fourth after a comfortable 85-point win over Epping.