Diamond Creek star Jacob Booth is hopeful that his side’s form can be maintained throughout the remainder of the 2023 Northern Football Netball League’s Division 2 season, to give them the best shot at securing the club’s first senior premiership since 2005.
Following a preliminary final exit last season, the Creekers currently sit on top of the ladder with a 9-1 record following an outstanding opening 10 weeks into the current campaign.
They also boast the best defensive record in the competition currently conceding just 37.5 points a game to their opponents.
Speaking to nfnl.org.au, Booth credited his side’s recent form to the chemistry built between the 2022 side and the recruits that joined the club in the off-season, including Billy Bedford, Tarwan Rennie and Mitch Tobin.
“The new recruits that have come in have got a lot of Division 1 experience and it’s brought a different set of vibes on the team, they’ve been able to share their experiences and knowledge with the playing group,” he said.
“Obviously year in, year out, you lose a couple of players here and there, but I feel this year we’ve added a lot of good talent and a lot of experience which has helped.
“Everything’s sort of flowing really well at the moment, so we’re just hoping to keep it up.”
The 25-year-old has been VFL listed at Collingwood since 2021 and has played 19 games with the Pies since debuting in Round 3 of that season.
He has also kicked 16 goals in his last 11 matches at the VFL level, a trait that has seen him shine even brighter when recently starring at Coventry Oval.
Booth has played six games for Diamond Creek in 2023, including the last five consecutive weeks, kicking 14 majors and being named in his sides best in four of those matches.
While predominantly playing in the midfield during his time at the Creekers, Booth believes the skills he’s learnt in the front half of the ground at the Magpies have had a big say in his current form spike.
“I’ve always naturally played on the ball when I was previously playing just with Diamond Creek, but just adding an extra string to my bow by playing forward at Collingwood, has helped me with my forward craft and being able to get on the scoreboard a bit more too,” he said.
And while he hasn’t featured at Collingwood since May, their loss is the Creekers’ gain as he looks to continue his impressive feats right through to the final game of the season.
“I just want to keep playing consistent footy and put in the effort for four quarters every week; that’s the main goal I want to keep aiming for,” he said.
“I know that if I can achieve that, I will be putting in my contribution to the team and hopefully that will contribute to winning each week as well.”
Diamond Creek has failed to taste defeat since a shock Round 5 loss to Panton Hill and in their last four weeks, having defeated opponents by an average of over 53 points.
While looking to keep the focus on this week’s match against Epping, Booth was confident that as long as his side can maintain the rage, they will certainly push for a flag in the months ahead.
“I think we can [win the premiership]. We’ve definitely shown, especially against Eltham, that we can match, if not be better, than the best on our day,” he said.
“It will just come down to staying fit and just continually getting better each week if we want to go all the way.
“By focusing on the way we want to move the ball, by getting a bit more fitness in and hopefully just keeping a healthy list, that will put us in the best stead to compete at the end of the season.”
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