Daylesford’s Sebastian Walsh is escorted over the boundary line by Creswick’s Wayne Kalisperos and Liam Hepworth.
CRESWICK conjured the upset of the season on Saturday, upstaging the undefeated Daylesford by 12 points at home.
After coming back late to beat the classy Hepburn in last weekend’s Spa Country Derby, most would have had the visitors pencilled in for victory. But it seemed as though the void left by the injured Luke Adams and last year’s The Courier Player of the Year Michael Cummings was too much of a burden to bear.
As the siren sounded and the game began, a mass of the Creswick faithful stood lined up in front of the new facilities like an army.
The first quarter ended in a stalemate, with both sides eking out two goals apiece and no player gaining much of an ascendancy.
The only incident of note being the report of Hayden Mobbs for head high contact on Liam Hepworth midway through the quarter.
In the second term, however, there was a major shift in momentum. The home side came out of the huddle with a hunger and desire that overwhelmed the Bulldogs. It seemed as though Creswick would win every contest, playing with a kamikaze mentality that had them throwing everything at the ball and man.
As intermittent rain drizzled throughout the afternoon, the Wickers’ resolve only grew stronger. As Tyler Booth kicked two goals early in the third, it looked to be just out of reach for the Bulldogs. But Justin Watkins broke the shackles and kicked the final two goals of the term to bring the margin back to 10 points entering the final quarter.
In a goalless last term, Steve Patterson was pivotal. As Daylesford made its charge, his pace and evasion kept the visitors at bay, propelling Creswick off half back and allowing it to move on with the win.
He and Hepworth were best for the victors while Rob Rodgers and Watkins were instrumental for the Bulldogs.
Creswick 7.11 (53)
Daylesford 5.11 (41)