WATSONIA drew away to win impressively over Banyule in an entertaining encounter at Beverley Road Reserve in Round 4 action of Division 3 football.
Despite the game being free flowing and fast paced, there was plenty of pressure applied by both sides.
The 17.16 (118) to 12.16 (88) win was set up late in the third term when the Saints were kicking into a three-goal breeze.
Banyule had dominated the first 20 minutes after the main break. It turned an eight-point half time deficit into a nine-point lead. However it booted a wasteful 3.8 during its period of dominance.
The Bears had a chance to extend their lead when they gained control of the ball in the midfield. But a shocking turnover saw Watsonia retrieve the ball and send it the other way for a goal against the run of play.
Instead of being over two goals up at the last change, the Bears led by only two points.
This error encapsulated the story of the game. Both teams made errors, but Watsonia made Banyule pay for its turnovers.
The Saints quickly gained the lead early in the final term. They looked in total control, but were also off target and managed 2.4 early in the term.
When Banyule’s Richard Dennis marked and goaled for his fifth major midway through the term, the home side only trailed by seven points and was within striking distance.
Dennis almost had a sixth soon after, but a handball to him in the goal square sailed over his head for a minor score.
Watsonia finally got its kicking boots on and finished the game full of running with the final four goals of the game.
Up forward, Andrew Bennett, Jeremy Bennett, Jack Larkin and Hayden Mitchell all recorded multiple goals. Jeremy Bennett could have equalled his tally of six in Round 3, but missed several gettable shots and had to settle for three majors.
Jarryd Allan excelled in his role across half back and set up numerous attacks and was well supported by Ben Weissenfield.
Jamie Haber moved into defence in the second half and provided a lot of run for the Saints, while Hayden Mitchell and Matt Crompton were busy in the midfield and rarely wasted a possession.
“The belief in the game plan and in each other is growing,” a happy Watsonia coach Corey McCall said. “And this is producing results.”
After having six forced changes, Banyule did not look as cohesive a unit as its opponent on the day.
“Watsonia’s attack on the ball was better than ours, and we turned the ball over at critical times,” Banyule coach Jason Plant said.
His team was well served in defence by Charles Ross and Ash Brown. Both players took contested marks and repelled many Watsonia forward thrusts.
Luke Giles was the Bears’ most productive midfielder. He found himself briefly down forward in the first term when a 50 metre penalty put him within range and was able to convert the set shot.
He was off the ground with an apparent leg injury in the third term. But it was only cramp and he soon returned to finish off the game strongly.
Up forward, Nick Christou was the only forward, apart from Dennis, to manage multiple goals.
Each team was allowed to include an extra player for the match – an under-19 player who had limited exposure to senior NFL football.
Banyule’s 23rd man was Mitchell Kerrison – the son of Collingwood premiership player Shane – while Tyson Darley filled that position for Watsonia.
Both young men did okay at times for their respective teams and were given game time at critical stages of the match.
Following consecutive losses since its Round 2 bye, Banyule travels to Crispe Park next week for a vital game against Reservoir, also coming off successive defeats.
The unbeaten Saints host Heidelberg West in a top versus bottom encounter.
Final score: Banyule 12.16 (88) def by South Morang 17.16 (118)
