Banyule edged out fellow MC Labour Division 2 contender in Lower Plenty by nine points in a tight contest at Beverley Road Oval in Round 2.
The game was won early, with the home team piling on early goals to get off to a fast start in the 7.15 (57) to 6.12 (48) victory.
A seven-goal first half was initiated by breakneck ball movement from end to end, as Banyule made a point of kicking long and playing on at every opportunity.
Banyule’s extreme pace was on full display under lights in the twilight contest, leaving Lower Plenty doing everything in their power to slow down the game’s pace and add a sense of composure to proceedings.
They struggled to do so in the first half, as only rare moments of brilliance in front of goal kept them in the contest at the main break.
It took until the second half for the travelling Lower Plenty to edge their way back into the match, with the game turning into a tight slog, marred by errant goal kicking.
With three last quarter goals, the away side got within reaching distance of the undefeated hosts, but ultimately couldn’t do enough to break through Banyule’s experienced defence.
The tone was set in the initial stages of the opening term, with Banyule piling on four quick goals to seize the ascendancy.
Jack Langford was a massive factor for the home side all day, providing a valuable target for the home side’s midfielders. If not for some inaccuracy in front of goal, he may have kicked more than his two goals for the match.
Mitch Lovell provided a great option up forward, and slotted a classy goal to give Banyule four majors for the first quarter.
In the dying stages of the term, Darcy Barden settled on the run to nail a running goal from the boundary line. The wonderful effort roused Lower Plenty into action, and they slowly began to win the ball more and match Banyule’s lightning-quick ball movement.
With Banyule ahead by 20 points at quarter time, a goal by Josh Blake extended the host’s lead in the second quarter, before a freak snap from the boundary by ex-Macleod livewire Luke Joyce brought the large Banyule crowd to their feet.
It all looked like Banyule was going to run away with the contest before half-time, but two crucial majors before the main break changed the complexion of the match.
Darcy Barden and Josh Turner dug their heels through the middle of the ground, adding some grunt in the midfield to stop the likes of Aydin Dani and Daniel Kelly from dominating the clearances.
Goals to Sam Paterson and then Josh Turner finished off the first half, and ensured Lower Plenty entered the main break only 26 points behind the hosts.
Expecting the game to continue in its entertaining fashion, the crowd saw a completely different contest in the second half.
Banyule continued to look to play fast and long-kicking footy, but a more settled Lower Plenty side defended rigidly and fought to turn the midfield battle into a dogged battle.
Inaccuracy from both sides plagued the match, as both sides could only add six behinds to their half-time score throughout the third term.
Having suddenly turned from a high-scoring shootout to a scrap where goals were hard to come by, Banyule’s 26-point three-quarter time lead looked insurmountable.
The main reason for this was their defence, who shone all day to intercept Lower Plenty forays forward. Jake Truefeldt starred for the home side, with his composure and excellent disposal by foot standing out in a tough final quarter.
Jack Langford also helped out at times, while Nick Mayne provided real bounce off the half-back line with his booming left foot. On the last line of defence, Nick Biscontin provided many timely spoils and gelled with an efficient back six for the home side.
But a dominant final term by Lower Plenty challenged Banyule’s defence, as the away team’s midfield got on top and controlled the last half hour.
Goals to Corey Sleep, Alex Alderton and Andrew White saw Lower Plenty roar back into the contest, and cause some nervous glances to the scoreboard from the home crowd.
In the end, Lower Plenty could only get within nine points, as the final siren ended a tiring second half slog.
Barden, Sleep and Jordan Sacco all led from the front for the travelling side, as they left Beverley Road Oval disappointed but optimistic about their application in the second half against one of the competition’s best teams.
With their backs to the wall throughout the final term, Banyule held strong to grind out a mature win, as they continue on undefeated after two rounds.
Final score: Banyule 7.15 (57) def Lower Plenty 6.12 (48)
Banyule
Goals: J. Langford 2, L. Turner, L. Joyce, J. Blake, D. Kelly, M. Lovell
Best: J. Truefeldt, J. Langford, N. Mayne, A. Dani, N. Biscontin, D. Kelly
Lower Plenty
Goals: S. Paterson, D. Barden, C. Sleep, A. Alderton, A. White, J. Turner
Best: D. Barden, C. Sleep, J. Sacco, T. Blake, A. Alderton, J. Elliott
