Banyule overcame a slow start to wrestle back and then maintain control of their Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 clash with Hurstbridge, going on to claim a 30-point win at Ben Frilay Oval.
It was a seesawing contest from start to finish, that saw both sides on 65 points apiece at three quarter time, before a seven-goal final term propelled the Bears to a 17.8 (110) to 11.14 (80) victory.
The win gives Banyule their second consecutive triumph to remain undefeated ahead of a massive challenge next week when they host reigning premiers Heidelberg.
Off-season recruit Daniel Owen was the point of difference up forward with a six-goal performance, that included multiple score involvements on his way to a best on ground display.
It was also the old guard that stood firm for Paul Harris’ men in the form of Tim Martin and Devin McDonald.
It was particularly Martin’s impact that was a catalyst in the visitors’ triumph, as he not only had his fair share of hit-outs, but as he had done so many time in the club’s premiership season, he clunked plenty of crucial intercept marks in defence.
It was the defence that too helped Hurstbridge stay in the contest as long as they did, with Jake Richards backing up a strong performance last week with another impressive display, while Mitchell Hymus continually kickstarted efficient chains from defensive 50.
Last year’s Bridges best and fairest William Cookson was superb in midfield, often finding ways to clear the ball from stoppages when it seemed almost impossible to do so, while Harry O’Brien excelled in the front half, not only providing assistance to Cookson, but also kicking three terrific majors.
Hurstbridge were without multiple star players for the afternoon due to injury and unavailability, with the likes of Kye Agosta, Bailey Jordan, Mitchell Moschetti and Joel Naylor all not representing the club in this clash.
But you wouldn’t have known that was the case for the opening 15 minutes of the match, as Joel Cordwell’s men produced the first four goals of the afternoon to rush out to an early 26-point advantage.
However, an unbelievable Davin Cameron hanger and goal sparked Banyule into action immediately after the Bridges’ fourth major, with the Bears kicking the final three goals of the term to trail by just nine points heading into the first break.
The momentum continued for the visitors into the second term, and they looked unstoppable for a 20-minute period that saw them kick five unanswered majors.
Owen’s three goals led the way for the Bears who had jumped to a 21-point advantage approaching half time.
O’Brien then converted a tough set shot against the run of play to give Hurstbridge fans hope at the main break, as they trailed by 15 points.
The hosts then attempted to parallel their opponents in building from momentum generated in the latter parts of the previous quarter, and it looked to be working when they kicked the first goal of the second half.
Vivian Blackmore-Moore’s second goal for Banyule ensured a similar run wouldn’t occur for the Bridges, but it was only a temporary fix, as Joel Cordwell’s men found their feet again to boot three straight goals and suddenly lead by four points.
After a quiet first two quarters, Patrik Della Rocca injected himself into the game in the forward half and kicked an important major for the Bears to halt Hurstbridge’s run of goals. It meant both sides couldn’t be separated approaching a highly anticipated final term.
Cameron Wild got the home crowd roaring when he kicked the first goal of the last quarter. It would put the Bridges up by seven points, but it would their last advantage for the match.
Owen got going again inside 50 to produce two goals in the space of just a minute, before Jack Langford followed with a major moments later to give Paul Harris’ men an 11-point lead.
Hurstbridge responded through Cooper Perrin but Langford’s second goal minutes after restored the Bears’ 11-point buffer and they never looked back.
Further goals from Aylett, Reuben Blackmore-Moore and Owen put a full stop to a blistering seven-goal quarter for Banyule and more importantly, a second straight victory to start season 2024.
