The Courier|
THERE was fist pumping, high fives and leaps of joy as Creswick completed a memorable come-from-behind triumph over Daylesford on Saturday.
The Wickers' 32-point victory was made possible by a breathtaking final term in which the home side banged through 10 goals to run over the top of the Central Highlands Football League reigning premier.
Anticipation of the Creswick theme song hovered in the air in the minutes leading up the final siren, and a rousing rendition from players and supporters didn't disappoint.
"On the back of last week (a five-point loss to Carngham-Linton), which was incredibly disappointing, we had a big rethink this week and a meeting on Tuesday night with the players about where they thought they were at and what we needed to work on," Creswick coach Len Watson said.
"From where we were last week and where we've got to here, is enormous for the club. It just gives them the belief that they can play the way we expect them to play every week."
Creswick, who beat the Bulldogs in the same fixture last season, fought hard for the opening three terms, but looked as if it would fall to a gallant defeat when trailing by 16 points at the final change.
Six minutes into the last quarter, the Wickers were in front and, after 12 minutes, they were 21 points clear.
It was a stunning performance from the hosts, who won clearance after clearance and made the most of their chances.
Alex Code was shifted forward in the last term with reward.
He starred with three quick goals to swing the result in his team's favour before being helped from the field after a knock shortly before the siren.
Once in front, the Wickers ran away with the match, holding Daylesford, which looked the cleaner of the two sides for most of the day, to just two fourth-quarter goals.
Bulldogs coach Andrew Button was disappointed with how little resistance his team offered in the last quarter, and rued some missed opportunities which could have broken the spirits of the Wickers before three-quarter time.
Button said he hoped the loss was the wake-up call his side needed ahead of a grand final rematch with Buninyong this weekend.
Mick Lockyer was the class act up forward for Creswick, booting four clever goals, while Steve Patterson was creative off half-back all day for the victors.
Defender Paul Hofman won praise for his superb minding job on dangerous Bulldog forward Seb Walsh who managed just one goal as did onballer Caleb Hepworth and former coach Damian Lubeek for their leadership in the final term.
For the Dogs, captain James Evans was good down back, midfielder Michael Cummings collected a stack of possessions and finished with two goals, as did recruit Patrick Rowe.
The ankle injury to speedy Toby Hughes hurt the Bulldogs' cause shortly before half time.
Creswick, now seventh on the ladder, takes on Ballan at the weekend.
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