Banyule coach Paul Harris discusses expectations for maiden NFL Division 1 season

Eight of the last 10 promotion winners have finished in the NFL Division 1 bottom two but Banyule coach Paul Harris is confident his team can buck that trend.

Lachlan Turner celebrates a goal for Banyule. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Banyule coach Paul Harris knows history is against the Bears as they step up to NFL Division 1.

Of the 10 previous Division 2 premiers and promotion winners, eight have finished in the bottom two the following season, but positively for Banyule, only four suffered an immediate relegation.

Forced to wait three years for a chance after losing the 2019 grand final, Harris believes his club is ready following its triumph over Eltham last year.

“History would suggest we struggle but we’re setting ourselves for higher than that,” he said.

“We think we’ll compete really well in the division, obviously it’s a bit of an unknown, but we think we’ve got a squad that will be competitive with everyone.

James Kayrooz takes a contested mark for Banyule against Eltham. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“It’s just excitement really, we’ve waited a little while but to finally have a crack at it is exciting.

“It will be a really good start too, playing Bundoora at Bundoora, it will be a good test and a gauge of where we sit early in the season.”

The Bears have recruited smartly to strengthened their list for the step up.

Ex-AFL player Kurt Aylett has arrived from Ovens and Murray club Myrtleford, while Collingwood VFL-listed pair Viv Blackmore-Moore – who joins his brother Reuben – and Jack Raines have joined from Ivanhoe and Pascoe Vale respectively.

West Preston-Lakeside premiership player Daniel Constanzo and North Heidelberg premiership-winner and Banyule junior Jackson Jones (Heathcote) have jumped on board.

Tom Hallebone, Jack Sammartino and Lachlan King have crossed from relegated Northcote Park and Division 1 reserve grade league best-and-fairest runner-up Max Jones has joined from Heidelberg.

Premiership players Tim Martin (Woodend-Hesket, RDFNL) and Kai Davies (Lavington, O&M) and Daniel Kelly (Heidelberg West) are the major departures.

Martin, the Grand Final medallist and two-time Team of the Year ruckman, leaves big shoes to fill.

Tom Hallebone (right) rucks for Northcote Park against Hurstbridge’s Aidan Clarke. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Big Marto leaves a big hole because since he’d been at the club in 2019 he’d been great for us and our winning ratio with him in the team was very high,” Harris said.

“We’re fortunate that Tom Hallebone came across from Northcote with Lachie King and Jack Sammartino.

“To have a 22-year-old that’s played a full season rucking in Division 1, we’re fortunate, so he’ll help fill part of that hole and others we’ll play around with as well.”

The club’s premiership success has also seen star midfielder Adam Carafa earn a VFL contract at Coburg, which could see him play a reduced role this season.

“He’s really excited about it, which is great, he’s loving his footy,” Harris said.

“I spoke to him the other day, he’s obviously missed all our training because he’s at Coburg, and he’s benefiting hugely from that – he’s 7kg lighter than grand final day.

“He’s in good nick and ready to go, hopefully he gets a good run there and when he is available for us he’ll be in reasonable form.”

Complicating Banyule’s preparation for a maiden Division 1 campaign is the loss of their home ground, Beverley Road, for the pre-season and first third of the season.

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The club has been training at AK Lines Reserve over the summer and will play two “home games” there.

Beverley Road’s redevelopment is expected to be complete in time for the Bear’s Round 7 clash against Whittlesea.

Banyule held a weekend camp last weekend, playing a practice match against Mulwala, and will ramp up preparations for Round 1 with hit outs against VAFA club Fitzroy and Essendon District pair Airport West and Maribyrnong Park.

The Bears begin their historic Division 1 season against Bundoora at Yulong Reserve on April 15.