Whittlesea defeats Diamond Creek in NFNL Division 2 top-of-the-table clash

Whittlesea coach Garry Ramsay says his team produced its best performance of the season at the right time to win the top-of-the-table undefeated battle with Diamond Creek.

Jaron Murphy celebrates a goal for Whittlesea. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Whittlesea is the last undefeated team standing in NFNL Division 2 after edging Diamond Creek by 15 points on Saturday.

In the top-of-the-table battle at Whittlesea Showgrounds, Eagles coach Garry Ramsay said his team produced its best football of the season precisely when needed most.

Despite missing talismanic captain Xavier Dimasi, Whittlesea rallied from six points down at half-time to run out 12.15 (87) to 11.6 (72) victors.

It held last season’s grand finalist to just two goals in the second half.

Ramsay said while some of the club’s wins had been narrow, the result showed what his team is capable of at its best.

“It was a good time to put probably our best performance for the year in, we timed it well,” Ramsay said.

“We had three close wins out of the seven, which could have gone either way, while their form had been a little more dominant.

“We felt like we needed to improve and I don’t feel like we’re anywhere near our potential so it was nice to show we are improving.”

Diamond Creek burst out of the blocks with a five-goal opening quarter, taking a nine-point lead.

The Creekers simply couldn’t miss in the first half and booted nine straight goals to Whittlesea’s 7.6 at half-time to hold a six-point advantage.

However, the game turned in the third quarter as the Eagles’ defence locked down.

Whittlesea turned its half-time deficit into a six-point lead at three-quarter-time, keeping the visitors to 1.3 and adding 3.3.

The win could have been far more comfortable if not for kicking 2.6 in the last quarter.

Joshua Eid in action for Whittlesea. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The Eagles finished with 10 more scoring shots but Ramsay didn’t believe the statistic was reflective of the match.

“Their game style is to kick the ball central so they had some good shots, it wasn’t a fluke they kicked straight,” he said.

“We might have had more scoring shots but the game was fairly even, I think our last quarter – I was pretty happy with our last quarter.”

Veteran defender Matt Atta was named best-on-ground, while Taidhg Bland continued his outstanding form that sees him leading the Division 2 Coaches’ MVP.

Young gun Lachlan Shinn-Mahoney impressed in his seventh senior game.

Ramsay was pleased with several of his young charges.

“It was pleasing to see a young bloke like Lachie Shinn-M step up on a wing and play really good football,” he said.

“Other than the 23rd player, we had four under-19s – Khaled El-Leissy, Lachie, Jack Morley and Harvey Hempenstall.

“We feel like we’re developing and there’s still a lot of improvement with these young guys playing well.

“Matt (Atta) played on their best forward and did a good job.

“Taidgh’s playing really good football, he’s breaking lines which is a really good trait and I think he’s going to continue to improve.

“We’re getting a better team spread, not so much relying on our top bracket, they’re all improving.”

For Diamond Creek, Ryan Pingree was best with a match-high three goals, while Brenton Keating, Dale Marshall and Chris Moloney stood tall.

The result sees Whittlesea go a game clear on top of the ladder, while Diamond Creek are now just a game ahead of South Morang and St Mary’s.

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The top four has separated itself from the competition as we approach the half-way mark.

Ramsay was keeping a lid on things at the Showgrounds.

“I think we’ve got a few more clashes with Diamond Creek ahead of us and South Morang and St Mary’s,” he said.

Elsewhere in Division 2, South Morang claimed a come-from-behind 25-point win over Northcote Park and St Mary’s survived an almighty scare from Laurimar with a one-point win.

Thomastown was too good for Panton Hill, consolidating fifth spot, with a 29-point win and Lower Plenty and Watsonia played out a heart-stopping 77-all draw.