Banyule continues strong start to NFNL Division 1 season with win over Greensborough
Banyule coach Damien Truslove isn’t getting carried away after the Bears’ red-hot start to the season, saying there’s still plenty of room for improvement.
Grand finalist. Tick. Preliminary finalist. Tick. Next, reigning premier Heidelberg.
Banyule has made a stunning start to the NFNL Division 1 season, taking down Montmorency by 31 points last week before edging Greensborough by 15 on Saturday.
The Bears are six from six with their reserves and under-19s also undefeated.
James Kayrooz continued his red-hot form in front of goals with a game-high four majors, backing up eight in the season-opener, in the 13.15 (93) to 12.6 (78) win at Greensborough Reserve.
Banyule led at every break and could have had a more comfortable finish if not for a wayward 3.6 in the final term.
Despite the impressive start, new coach Damien Truslove believes there’s still plenty of room for improvement.
“It was a solid win, Greensborough is a really strong team,” Truslove said.
“We’ve got a long way to go with the way we want to play, we feel like there’s a fair bit of improvement.
“What has been impressive was our pre-season, the boys were pretty committed, and I think that’s helped us start strongly and our reserves are also performing strongly, which keeps the pressure on for senior spots.
“There’s some aspects we’re doing really well but we’re still a fair way off where we’re going to get to.
“The players are attempting to implement it all the time but it takes time, so we’re not setting any goals.
“If we can keep doing that, later in the season we should be in good form.”
A five-goal opening term set Banyule on its way, taking a seven-point lead into quarter-time.
The margin was nine points at half-time and 10 at the final change as both teams showcased their class in perfect autumn conditions.
With the game on the line, the Bears put any chance of a Borough comeback to bed with a withering burst early in the fourth quarter, extending the margin to 30 points.
The home team responded with two quick goals but couldn’t keep the momentum rolling and Banyule had four of the final five scoring shots – all behinds.
Noah Wheeler was outstanding, earning best-on-ground honours.
Skipper Kye Yodgee, Max Jones, Oscar White, Bailey Neilson and Aydin Dani also impressed in the win.
“Noah is a leader for us, he plays a couple of different roles – across half-forward and a little bit in midfield,” Truslove said.
“He’s a competitor, he spent the year last year around the club helping develop our young players and he’s come back really well.”
Truslove was pleased with Kayrooz’s output in the opening fortnight.
“He’s full of energy, James,” he said.
“He’s a real giver, he’s all about team, and has been playing a slightly different role to what he normally would.
“He’s playing higher up the ground … he’s really creative and hard to play on, he’s not just a tall option he can really run.”
For Greensborough, captain Jack Johnston stood tall, along with Will McFawn, Harrison Andronaco and James McCubbin.
After taking down two competition fancies, Banyule now faces the ultimate test – Heidelberg at Warringal Reserve on Anzac Day.
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“It is a good opportunity for our boys to play a big game,” Truslove said.
“We’ll focus on what we need to improve, we keep taking little steps forward and we’ll keep rewarding guys that are playing well.”
Greensborough will look to bounce back in their traditional Anzac Day clash with Eltham.
Elsewhere in Division 1, Heidelberg brushed past West Preston-Lakeside by 10 goals, Hurstbridge proved too good for Eltham in a 46-point win, Montmorency eased past South Morang by 50 points in a high-scoring affair, while North Heidelberg bounced back to down Bundoora by 13 points.
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