Unbeaten Hurstbridge overrun Diamond Creek in Northern Football League clash

A bridge usually sits above a creek – but it certainly wasn’t the case at the final change of the Division 2 top-of-the-table clash.

MAYBE it’s just the way the world works.

A bridge usually sits above a creek – but it certainly wasn’t the case at the final change of the Division 2, top-of-the-table clash between Hurstbridge and Diamond Creek.

The Demons were playing fine footy against the unbeaten Bridges and led by 22 points, before the home side flooded the Creek with 9.5 to 1.3, to run out 28-point winners, 17.15 (117) to 13.11 (89).

Inspired by on-baller Tom Simpson (five goals), forward Nick Milne (four) and wingman Sean Jellie, the Bridges kept their unbeaten run going, while the Dees can thank Dan Shellard, Jedd McQueen and Kane Tenace for their early lead.

Unfortunately for Milne, he copped a broken jaw in the final contest of the match, had an operation on Sunday, and will miss a big chunk of the season.

Hurstbridge coach Trevor Frost said Diamond Creek was by far the best side it had played this year.

“But we have a belief down here, and we never really felt out of the game,” Frost said.

“It just opened up in the last quarter and a half and we started kicking goals instead of missing, like early on.”

Meanwhile, Panton Hill staged its own comeback against Fitzroy Stars, to record its first win of the season, kicking seven goals straight in the last quarter to turn a 29-point deficit into a thrilling, three-point win, 15.10 (100) to 14.13 (97).

The Redbacks were led superbly by Tyler Scarce (five goals), Matt Duckworth and Scott Conte.

For Lower Plenty and Montmorency, it was a chance to move closer to the top half of the Division 1 ladder when they clashed this week.

But, by game’s end, the Magpies had blitzed the Bears to the tune of 94 points, all set up by slamming through 8.7 in the first quarter and 9.4 in the third.

Montmorency prevailed 24.16 (160) to 9.12 (66), with 12 individual goalkickers and Ben Fennell and Michael Fitz-Gerald starring.

The Bears’ best in a disappointing day were Cam Elmore, Ciaran Porter and Bowen Zimbolani.

Greensborough and Eltham did their finals hopes no harm, with strong wins over Macleod and West Preston-Lakeside respectively.

The ’Borough got the better of Macleod in the final term after a close tussle, skipping away to win 12.11 (83) to 7.14 (56).

Nick Carnell, Matt Fowler and Michael Hooper starred for the victors, who hopped over the ’Roos into third spot.

Eltham was always in control of its match with the Roosters, leading by 18, 30 and 50 points at each change before winning by 64, 19.14 (128) to 8.16 (64).

Chris Brannan (seven goals) dominated for the Panthers, while Braydn Taglieri and Matt Williamson were also brilliant.

Watsonia struggled all day against South Morang in their Division 3 encounter, going down 8.13 (61) to 16.8 (104), with pleasing efforts from Xavier Kelly, Matt Crompton and Hayden Mitchell.

Meanwhile, St Mary’s continues to take all before it, remaining unbeaten after thrashing Kilmore 21.16 (142) to 7.7 (49), with Drew Schleibs, Lachlan Potter (five goals) and Sean Desmond (four) the stars.