Lower Plenty and Banyule lock horns in the A Plus Labour Solutions Division 2 preliminary for the right to tackle Eltham in the premiership decider.
The sides enter Saturday’s match in contrasting form, with Lower losing their previous two matches, whilst Banyule is in red-hot form having won eight of its past nine.
Lower fell to a resurgent Eltham by 14 points the second semi. It was their third loss of the season to the Panthers, however the past two matches have been decided by a combined total of just 22 points.
Despite not scoring in third term, Lower led the rain-affected match until the three-minute mark of the final term. However, they were unable to keep out the minor premier in the last quarter.
While the final result didn’t go their way, Lower’s effort couldn’t be questioned and they did play the better brand of football throughout the first half – led again by outstanding performances from Tom Keys and Patrick Flynn, while Leigh Gray also had a great game.
The first semi final followed a similar script, with Banyule eventually getting over the top of Thomastown by 17 points – but not without a major challenge.
Banyule trailed until the six-minute mark of the final term – with the margin standing at 15 points late in the third quarter, before goals from James Kroussoratis and James Clark cut the margin to five at the last change.
A four-goal to one final term got Banyule over the line, with skipper Scott Gumbleton a clear best on ground, with good support from Jake Truefeldt, Mannon Johnston and Devin McDonald.
Lower Plenty has been the competition’s second-best side throughout the entire home and away season and will be hopeful of turning around its form as it looks to progress past last year’s preliminary final finish.
Lower has beaten Banyule in two of their three outings this year, scoring a 64-point win in Round 6 and a 55-point triumph in Round 14.
Their key forwards were dominant in the second of those victories, with Darcy Barden, Tom Blake, Ben Paterson and Tom Keys combining for 17 goals and many telling marks.
With clear skies and dry weather forecast for Saturday – Lower Plenty will be confident of kicking a winning score if it can supply its forwards with enough of the ball on the day.
Notably, that 55-point loss was Banyule’s last defeat of the season, with Pete Davey’s side since registering five-consecutive wins, including a 19-point triumph when the sides met in Round 18.
After trailing by eight points at the main break, Banyule broke the game open with an eight-goal to one third term. Their 18 goals were shared by a dozen players, showing their ability to spread the load and not rely too heavily on Kroussoratis kicking a bag.
Should Banyule make it through to the grand final, it will become the first team in NFNL history to play in consecutive grand finals in different divisions, after last year winning the third division flag. Remarkably, North Heidelberg is shooting for the same feat this weekend.
One thing that works in the favour of both Lower Plenty and Banyule is the fact that four of the past five A Plus Solutions Division 2 premiers have come through the preliminary final.
LOWER PLENTY
13 wins – 6 losses
Points For – 1915, Average For – 101
Points Against – 1344, Average Against – 71
Average Winning Margin – 52
Average Losing Margin – 18
Leading Goal Kicker – Tom Keys (36)
Most Times In Best – Tom Keys (12)
BANYULE
13 wins – 6 losses
Points For – 1920, Average For – 101
Points Against – 1312, Average Against – 69
Average Winning Margin – 61
Average Losing Margin – 32
Leading Goal Kicker – James Kroussoratis (71)
Most Times In Best – James Kroussoratis (10)
PAST TWO MEETINGS IN 2018
Round 18: Lower Plenty 15.10 (100) def by Banyule 18.11 (119)
Lower Plenty
Goals: D. Nolan 5, T. Keys 4, D. Barden 2, J. Wilkinson 2, B. Paterson 2
Best: T. Keys, D. Nolan, L. Naismith, P. Flynn, D. Barden, A. Alderton
Banyule
Goals: B. Jordan 3, A. Barclay 3, J. Kroussoratis 2, D. McDonald 2, R. Hogarth, J. Mitchell, J. Smith, M. Yarwood, M. Italia, M. Johnston, A. Jurgens, R. Keath
Best: M. Johnston, R. Hogarth, D. Camilleri, D. McDonald, R. Keath, D. Kelly
Round 14: Lower Plenty 20.14 (134) def Banyule 11.13 (79)
Lower Plenty
Goals: D. Barden 5, T. Blake 5, B. Paterson 4, T. Keys 3, D. Nolan, N. Waters, J. Sacco
Best: D. Barden, M. Duckworth, T. Blake, B. Paterson, T. Keys, P. Flynn
Lower Plenty
Goals: B. Jordan 4, J. Kroussoratis 3, S. Downes 2, J. Smith 2
Best: R. Keath, B. Jordan, J. Smith, J. Kroussoratis, D. Camilleri, M. Johnston
