Banyule’s unbeaten streak extended to seven games after coming from behind to defeat a gallant Heidelberg West in Round 8.
The Bears remained a game clear atop the Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 ladder with the 15.13 (103) to 12.6 (78) win at Heidelberg Park.
Heidelberg West came out firing in front of its home crowd, kicking five goals to one in the opening quarter to take a 22-point lead into the quarter-time break.
However, the Bears settled thereafter and finished with 14 of the final 21 goals to remain unbeaten in 2017.
Banyule coach Pete Davey praised Heidelberg West’s style of play in the opening term, but was pleased with his side’s response.
“In the first quarter, we just couldn’t get our hands on the footy,” Davey said.
“They played a really fast and quality possession game for 20-odd minutes and denied us any use of the ball.
“We knew that they’d drop back to the field a little bit and we just had to stick to our structures and not worry too much. We just had to wait for our time to control the footy.”
Davey’s patience payed off as Banyule fought hard to get its nose in front by the half-time break.
The ladder-leader then managed to keep the persistent Heidelberg West at bay, setting up the 25-point win with a five-goal to two third term, which broke the game open.
Davey was impressed with his defence, highlighting the performances of Jacob Smith and Nicholas Biscontin.
“Jacob Smith across half back was great for us all day,” Davey said.
“He took a lot of contested marks which probably isn’t his game normally, but he got a lot of the footy.”
“(Biscontin) was fantastic as well. Devin McDonald and Daniel Kelly in the middle were also really important for us.”
Another player that impressed Davey was captain Scott Gumbleton, who has led the Bears superbly this year.
“He had a really strong game around the ground and was almost playing as a ruck-rover at times.
“He did a lot more running than what he normally would do.”
Star forward James Kroussoratis was again an import player in his side’s win, booting six majors to takes his tally up to 44 goals in only seven games.
Davey said Kroussoratis’ influence on the team had been monumental.
“When he is up and about, everyone else in the side just walks a bit taller knowing they’ve got such a focal point up forward to kick to.
“He is averaging double figure shots at goal every week, that’s just the nature of his game, he is very opportunistic.
“Not only that, it also benefits our other forwards as well because generally James draws two defenders, allowing our other forwards to get off the chain a bit and be more attacking.”
Davey plans to keep his side training two nights ahead of the Queen’s Birthday weekend break, before a big Round 9 clash against Epping.
