Banyule outlasts Eltham in semi-final battle to book grand final ticket
After two COVID-cancelled seasons, Banyule has earned its shot at redemption, booking a grand final ticket with a thrilling win over Eltham.
Northern
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It took two years longer than expected but Banyule has earned its shot at redemption.
The Bears booked the first ticket to the NFL Division 2 grand final on Saturday, holding off minor premier Eltham by nine points.
In an epic, see-sawing major semi-final, Banyule kicked the last two goals of the game to snatch an 11.12 (78) to 10.9 (69) victory at Epping Recreation Reserve.
Two COVID-cancelled seasons robbed the Bears of a chance to atone for the 2019 defeat to Whittlesea.
After a five-point win over Lower Plenty in the qualifying final, coach Paul Harris believed two nail-biting wins in the past fortnight has the club well placed to perform on the big stage.
“It’s funny, it’s been three years, when we lost 2019 you thought you might get an opportunity 12 months later potentially,” he said.
“Everyone’s had to wait three years for the opportunity and it’s great to be there in two weeks time.
“It’s good to play in two tight finals and come out on the right side, it’s good for the group.
“You take confidence out of winning close finals and we’ll take heaps out of today.
“You only become better at playing in tight finals by doing it and we’ve now done it two weeks in a row.”
Banyule burst out of the blocks kicking the opening two goals of the game to take a 13-point lead into quarter-time.
Eltham hit back in the second quarter, booting four goals, to narrow the margin to one point on the back of centre clearance dominance with Harvey Furlong particularly impressive.
The Panthers again took the momentum in the third quarter, marching out to an 11-point lead with the first two goals through Mikael Avramov and Anton Woods.
However, Banyule was able to break the Panthers hold with goals to Lachlan Turner and James Kayrooz and a Reuben Blackmore-Moore goal as the three-quarter-time siren sounded gave the Bears a four-point lead.
The lead changed six times in a thrilling second half.
Kayrooz kicked truly after a strong mark, standing tall while the pack fell around him, to give his team the lead for what would prove the final time and Turner booted the sealer with two minutes left on the clock.
Harris hailed his team’s ability to break Eltham’s momentum at key stages of the game.
“It was a dangerous spot for us in the third quarter when they got a couple of goals from a couple of unfortunate things happened to us,” he said.
“It felt as if the momentum was fully their way but to our guys credit we were able to hold for a little bit and get one back.
“It was just a bit of composure from the boys, getting hold of the footy and keeping it off them for a little bit, and then when we went forward we were able to take our opportunities.”
Banyule’s ability to intercept mark and spread was a feature of the Bears’ win, while Eltham’s momentum was largely generated through centre clearances.
Harris was particularly pleased with his midfield’s display, led by Adam Carafa, Riley Loton, Blackmore-Moore and ruckman Tim Blake.
Arben Dani’s run-and-carry of half-back consistently flipped the field, while Nick Biscontin, Kai Davies, Devin McDonald and Xavier Mitchell were strong.
The Bears defenders’ ability to get a late spoil in saw Eltham take just a handful of marks inside 50m.
Just eight players from the 2019 grand final defeat featured in the semi-final victory.
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Harris credited the club’s regeneration to under-19s coach David Mitchell and its junior affiliate.
“We’ve been fortunate that a lot of the guys that have come through in that three year period, from the junior footy club, have turned out to be pretty handy senior footballers.”
Woods was named Eltham’s best, while Avramov, Luke Sirianni, Furlong and Cameron Sullivan also impressed, while Josh Merkel booted three goals.
The Panthers will look to bounce back in the preliminary final next Saturday against the winner of Sunday’s minor semi-final between Lower Plenty and Diamond Creek.
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