Eltham have picked up their 10th consecutive win in impressive fashion, comfortably defeating SG Print & Paper Division 2 rivals Banyule by 27 points at Eltham Central Park on Friday night.
In a highly anticipated top of the table clash, in which both sides headed into the fixture on nine wins and two losses, the Panthers were ultimately too good for the Bears from the first bounce, running out 6.6 (42) to 2.3 (15) winners.
Eltham’s last defeat in the competition remains against the Bears back in Round 2 of grading, with Friday night’s result not only evening the ledger between the two sides but also allowing the Panthers to jump a game clear on top of the ladder. Banyule could drop down to third dependent on other results.
Kate Cardamone was the home side’s leading goalkicker on the night with two goals while Angelique Reibelt came back into the starting lineup and provided plenty of chances for her forwards.
Alannah Murray worked hard and used her strength well in midfield whilst Sienna Gunning was a brick wall down back.
For the Bears, their two goals came through Brieanna Musgrave and Shkita Tihema-Jones whilst Heidi Cummins and Drew Barnes also fought hard in midfield.
Darren Cardamone’s side had the early ascendency, pressing hard in the first five minutes. It allowed Kate Cardamone to kick her two majors for the night within in a minute to give the Panthers the perfect start.
The ball was predominately locked in Eltham’s attacking half for the remainder of the term, but Banyule’s strong defensive efforts meant no further goals were kicked in the quarter.
Despite their efforts however, the visitors were kept scoreless themselves and headed into the first break down by 15 points.
Again, it was Eltham on top early in the second, with captain Jacki White kicking the first goal of the term inside the first minute.
They continued to press, as a major from Poppy Larsson at the nine-minute mark made it four goals to nil in a quarter and half of action.
Banyule struggled to move the ball past the middle of the ground before Tihema-Jones seized an opportunity inside 50, kicking her sides first major of the match just moments before the half time siren.
Despite trailing by 24 points at the main break, the Bears hoped the late goal would create some momentum in the second half.
But those hopes quickly vanished early in the third term when Reibelt slotted through her first major of the night for Eltham just three minutes in.
The ball was once more locked in the Panthers attacking half for most of the quarter before Banyule started to even things out and gain a bit of possession in the middle of the ground.
Eltham continued to make the most of their opportunities up forward as Murray’s 10th goal of the season not only extended her side’s advantage to 36 points at three quarter time, but also ensured another scoreless quarter for the visitors.
The Bears didn’t give up the fight during the last quarter, with Musgrave getting her side’s second major of the night six minutes into the term.
While Eltham were kept scoreless in the final quarter thanks to Banyule’s strong defensive efforts, their brilliant performance throughout the first three quarters was enough to continue their incredible winning streak.
