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NFL 2018: Banyule advances to Division 2 preliminary final after 17-point win over Thomastown

BANYULE captain Scott Gumbleton inspired the Bears to their first Division 2 finals victory to book a preliminary final date against Lower Plenty.

Brent Harvey's brilliant goal for North Heidelberg

NOT for the first time, Scott Gumbleton inspired Banyule to a finals victory.

Best on ground in last year’s Division 3 grand final, Gumbleton again showed his leadership qualities to guide the Bears to a 17-point victory over Thomastown in Sunday’s elimination final.

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Banyule trailed at every change but kicked six of the last seven goals to record a 10.18 (78) to 8.13 (61) win, setting up a preliminary final date against Lower Plenty.

Banyule coach Pete Davey praised the leadership of Gumbleton, who finished as one of two multiple goalkickers with two goals.

James Kroussoratis flies for a mark. Picture: Andy Brownbill
James Kroussoratis flies for a mark. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Come finals, he goes to another level,” Davey said.

“He did exactly what he did in last year’s finals. He just owns moments. We were taking marks in the stats throughout the afternoon and we had 20 marks in the second quarter and he took eight of them.”

BOOMER’S REMARKABLE MID-AIR GOAL

Banyule trailed by 15 points during time-on in the third quarter before two goals, one from James Kroussoratis and the other off the boot of James Clark, which came after the siren from nearly 50m out on a difficult angle, turned the momentum in the Bears’ favour.

Former Essendon midfielder Brent Stanton then gave Banyule the lead for the first time since early in the first quarter, with majors from Bailey Jordan, Sean Downes and Kroussoratis sealing the win.

It will be the second time in three weeks Banyule has met Lower Plenty, with the winner to meet Eltham in the Division 2 decider.

Banyule celebrates its 2017 Division 2 premiership. Picture: Andy Brownbill
Banyule celebrates its 2017 Division 2 premiership. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Michael Italia and Riley Keath are also set to return to the side.

Davey said his side could replicate its Round 18 win, with Lower Plenty’s previous two wins over the Bears this year coming by 64 and 55 points.

“Each time we’ve played them we’ve learnt a bit more about them,” he said.

“We had a plan to put into place if we played them again but we didn’t roll that out in the last round.

“We’ve got a few things we’re going to change up for the prelim but certainly we give ourselves a huge chance.”

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/nfl-2018-banyule-advances-to-division-2-preliminary-final-after-17point-win-over-thomastown/news-story/81e3d005cc6fd89f5251fbcb14ead30d