Whittlesea continues to its push to return to division one of the Northern Football Netball League with its third win on the trot over Diamond Creek by 23 points.
After a tight first half, the Eagles ran over the top of the Demons in the third term to set up the win.
Whittlesea coach Blair Harvey said it was a good win for an undermanned Eagles outfit.
“We had a few players out so it was really good,” he said.
Whittlesea led by a single behind at quarter time after both teams kicked two goals each.
The two sides were deadlocked at 3.3 (21) at half-time after an extra behind went Diamond Creek’s way.
Whittlesea came out of the half-time break with a point to prove, and did so.
The Eagles kicked five goals to one to take a 20-point lead into the last change.
Diamond Creek would rue their missed chances as they kicked 1.6 to 5.2.
“We hit our stride in the third. We had a good chat at half-time so I was pleased we came out in the third quarter and responded well,” Harvey said.
“We put a lot of emphasis on that being our best quarter which it was thankfully.”
Both sides kicked two goals each in the final term as the Eagles were able to hold their lead.
Harvey praised Jaron Murphy and said he played one of the best individual games of local footy Harvey had ever seen.
“Jaron Murphy was unbelievable. They tried to tag him heavily with three or four guys and he was fantastic all day,” he said.
Whittlesea is two games clear of Thomastown at third on the division two ladder and only behind Eltham on percentage.
The Eagles host bottom-placed Epping this week and Harvey is hoping for a big win.
“We need a big win, percentage plays a big part of it in the long run,” he said.
“We get four players back this week so the pressure’s going to be on for guys to perform and not be complacent because there are guys knocking on the door.”
Diamond Creek 6.12 (48) def by Whittlesea 10.11 (71)
DIAMOND CREEK
Goals: D. Limbach 2, R. Pingree 2, T. Barnes, M. Rogneda.
Best: B. Adams, R. Noble, R. Pingree, J. Randall, T. Barnes, D. Fleming
WHITTLESEA
Goals: J. Murphy 2, N. Pupillo 2, T. Falls, B. Bell, M. Andrews, C. McCabe, M. Langford, B. Watson
