Banyule took the short cut into the Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 grand final with a convincing 36-point win over minor premier South Morang in the second semi final.
The Bears now get a weekend off to prepare for the September 9 decider after a 17.14 (116) to 12.8 (80) win at the Whittlesea Showgrounds.
The Lions have lost the past three preliminary finals and would have been desperate to bypass that hurdle in 2017. But their loss will see them into a fourth-straight cut-throat preliminary tussle.
A six-goal to one third term proved decisive – taking Banyule from a 10-point half time lead to a match-winning 43-point buffer at the last change. The Bears scored the first two goals of the final term to quickly snuff out any faint hope of a miracle comeback by South Morang.
“What impressed me in such a big game was to have the kids stand up,” Banyule coach Pete Davey said. “Everyone played their role.”
The best of the Bear youngsters was Michael Edwards. Playing at centre half forward and using his spring to surprising effect in the ruck, he was a major factor in the win.
The senior players also had an influence. Scott Gumbleton rucked and played the tall role all over the ground – taking intercept marks down back and booting three majors when up forward.
Lion Jake Potter played on James Kroussoratis and kept him to two goals – with Kroussoratis playing a bit further away from goal than normal at time. Many thought that holding the spearhead to a modest total may be enough to prevent a Banyule victory.
But another regular goal-scorer in Michael Italia came to the fore – matching Gumbleton’s tally of three. The other goals were evenly spread and the Bears had 11 players who hit the scoreboard.
Daniel Kelly and Kieran Malone were prolific through the midfield – with Malone scoring two opportunist goals. Riley Keath, Matthew Yarwood and Riley Loton also contributed well.
Down back, Artan Cadbi was brilliant in the first half, while noted forward Adam Barclay played a defensive role on Anthony Capeci – holding him to a solitary goal. This was a big positive for Banyule as Capeci kicked five in their Round 13 encounter.
South Morang coach Gary Hall was extremely disappointed at the three quarter time huddle. He told his team they were playing dumb football. They were being out-tackled and were not diligent at manning up on their opponents.
The smooth transfer of play which had been the Lions’ trademark in their 12-game winning streak was missing for the majority of the game. At times, it appeared the weight of expectation was too much.
“We were beaten in all areas,” Hall said after the contest.
The final term contained mixed blessings for the Lions. They seemed to have plenty of sore players coming to the bench – who would have loved to have had the preliminary final week off. On a positive note, Matthew Trim ran the game out well after missing the previous game.
Daniel Caruso – first up from a few weeks out with a shoulder injury and finding it hard to get into the game early – would have won best on ground had it been judged on the final term alone.
James Mellerick was among the best for the Lions, while Mitchell Dickson and Luke Shelton each chipped in with two goals.
South Morang lives to fight another day – courtesy of finishing on top. They return to Whittlesea Showgrounds on Saturday to play the winner of the first semi final between Epping and St Mary’s.
Final scores: South Morang 12.8 (80) def by Banyule 17.14 (116)
