BANYULE snapped a five-game losing streak and scored eight goals in each of the first two quarters against Heidelberg West as it surged to the biggest win in Division 3 all year in Round 9.
An eager crowd gathered to see former Essendon and Fremantle player Scott Gumbleton make his NFL debut. He didn’t let them down with some straight shooting in the 25.7 (157) to 6.6 (42) win at Heidelberg Park.
Short of match practice, Gumbleton played as a permanent full forward and slotted a couple of goals from acute angle set shots.
“It’s good to get back to local footy,” he said after his seven-goal haul.
Also playing his first game in the NFL was reigning Banyule best and fairest Adam Barclay. He also booted seven in an impressive display as a small forward.
The Bears were on top in all aspects of the game is the first half. They tackled well and won the contested football. Once they had control of the ball, their ball use was very clean and rarely gave the ball back.
The Bears led by 42 points at quarter time and had blown the lead out to an unassailable 86 points at the main break.
The Hawks has their best term in the third, scoring 4.2 to 2.3 when kicking to the southern end. Kyl Ewart had scored both of Heidelberg West’s two goals at half time and managed another in the third term.
His compatriots came to the rescue as Samuel James, James Bonnici and Jessy Ellis each booted a goal. Daniel Bailey had been a stand-out for the Hawks in midfield and was involved in multiple scoring chains.
Despite being out of the game, the Hawks came to the huddle at the last break with a bit of momentum. Coach Derek Shaw asked his charges to take the game on in the final term.
But it was all Banyule in the last quarter as they kicked 7.1 to 0.3.
Devin McDonald excelled at centre-half-forward. He covered plenty of territory, getting lots of possessions by hard running to the right spaces.
He he also did well in close and his disposals proved to be very effective in his best game for the season. He played in the under 19s the previous week when his senior team had the bye.
New recruit Will Drapac would’ve also pleased Banyule coach Jason Plant and his work inside the packs helped to make the Bears look like a more balanced side.
Richard Dennis had booted three majors for the Bears, but was stretchered off in the third stanza. He was unable to return to the field.
“After many losses, it’s just nice to get a victory,” Banyule coach Jason Plant said.
With the inclusion of top recruits, the Bears now have the job of chasing wins to put themselves in finals contention. Their quest takes them next to A.K. Lines Reserve for a clash with Watsonia.
The Hawks have now been soundly beaten twice by Banyule and sit two games and percentage behind them in bottom place of the ladder. They face a difficult assignment to notch their first win with a trip to Epping coming up next.
Earlier in the day, Collingwood star Dane Swan proved popular with the locals when he was the star of the show at the President’s Lunch. A long line of fans queued for photographs with him.
Final scores: Heidelberg West 6.6 (42) def by Banyule 25.7 (157)
