Bears consolidate second spot


Published on Sunday, July 23, 2017

Author : Doug Long

Banyule was too good for Kilmore at R.J. Brockwell Oval in Round 14 of Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3, recording an impressive 78-point win in windy conditions.

The Bears won all four quarters in the 19.17 (131) to 8.5 (53) victory to erase some of the disappointment of losing top spot to South Morang the previous week.

Kilmore had a mixture of good news and bad. During the week, an appeal was upheld after the drawn match with St Mary’s and it was awarded the four points.

However, the Blues were unable to take a second-consecutive major scalp to back up their upset over the Burra.

The rebound win was a relief for Banyule fans as the team has gone a long way to securing the double chance.

“Today was about getting back to the way we want to play and playing the game on our terms,” Banyule coach Pete Davey said.

There were several positives for him in the lead-up to the finals.

His side was able to more than match it with Kilmore in the pressure stakes. And when the Bears forced the Blues into error, it often led to a Banyule goal.

Kilmore defender Peter de Sousa had the job on James Kroussoratis and did well for most of the day. But a volume of supply eventually saw Kroussoratis finish with six goals.

Inclusions James Allery and Michael Edwards both acquitted themselves well, while Jye Keath finished off the game well – playing an inside midfield role.

Michael Italia did well with four majors up forward and also had a stint in the midfield. Devin McDonald was typically hard at the football and was effective with his disposal.

The loss for Kilmore almost shuts the door on a finals chance. The Blues now sit a game and a huge percentage gap behind fourth-placed Epping.

“We have got to find a way to be a bit more consistent and to be up every week when the season is on the line,” Kilmore coach Nathan Phillips said.

The inability of the team to find forward targets in the second term with the breeze virtually put the game out of reach, with the visitors trailing by 43 points at the main break.

However, the Blues have made giant strides in the 2017 season – after winning only two games in their debut season in the NFL.

Brad Kite won the ruck duel for the Blues. Fellow ruckman James Atkinson had a purple patch in the final term with three goals.

Nick Sheldon was a prolific ball-winner, but the individual highlight belonged to Brandon Austin.

He grabbed the ball on the wing early in the third stanza, ran hard and managed a long kick into the wind right onto the chest of Nick Sheldon, who duly saluted from close range.

Banyule has a chance to slam the door shut on the chasing pack and secure the double chance when it hosts third-placed St Mary’s at R.J. Brockwell Oval in Round 15.

Kilmore has the bye and then welcomes South Morang to J.J. Clancy Reserve. The Blues will have to win all three remaining games to have any chance of a finals appearance.

Final scores: Banyule 19.17 (131) def Kilmore 8.5 (53)

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