Eltham have established their premiership credentials in MC Labour Division 2 with a massive 11-goal victory over Banyule at Eltham Central Park.
In what was a highly anticipated top of the table clash, a massive third quarter from the Panthers, in which they piled on eight goals to only three behinds, paved the way for a 14.15 (99) to 4.9 (33) triumph.
With Lower Plenty falling short to Diamond Creek, Eltham’s win not only keeps them on top of the ladder, but also establishes a four-point gap between them and the second placed Creekers.
In only his fifth senior game, Finnbar Maley put in a best on ground performance. Maley was marking everything around the ground while producing a strong effort in the ruck against three different Banyule opponents.
Speaking post-game, the 18-year-old gave credit for his performance to his midfield teammates.
“We do a really good job in and out every single week, making sure we win contested ball, and we just worked together really well. I think our midfield is superb,” he said.
Daniel Horsfield and Ben Montanaro were two of those contributors in midfield, winning vital clearances and creating runs that put their Bears opponents off guard whilst Darcy Vallance, Jackson Weatherald and Declan Ayres on senior debut were excellent interceptors across half back.
Up forward they had eight individual goalkickers, with Matthew Williamson and Jason McCormick leading the way with three each.
For the visitors, Riley Loton and Lachlan Turner tried to provide some spark in midfield, Loton in particular who was one of the best on the ground in the first half, also kicking the first goal of the match eight minutes in.
It wasn’t long before the Panthers started to get on top, with Williamson and Horsfield kicking the next two to give their side a five-point lead at the first break.
After a contested start to the second term, Lachlan Turner was able to snap through a major to give the Bears a one-point lead. It would prove to be their last lead of the match and the beginning of a two quarter goal drought for Banyule.
The Panthers started to dominate the territory battle, Joshua Merkel immediately responded to Turner’s goal with one of his own before Daniel Owen and David Evans slotted home majors to give Eltham a 19-point lead at the main break,
The third term was a masterclass from Robert Hyde’s side.
Eltham kicked eight unanswered goals, led by two each from exciting attacking duo Bradyn Taglieri and Jason McCormick. The Panthers were winning every clearance while the home side’s pressure created a significant amount of Banyule turnovers that led to plenty of scoring.
In the space of 30 minutes, a 19-point half time lead turned into a 68-point three quarter time advantage, all but shutting the Bears out of the contest.
Four minutes into the final quarter McCormick kicked his third major to give Eltham a game high 76-point advantage before Daniel Langford slotted through a major for the Bears to end a 12 consecutive goal run from the home side.
The Panthers finished the last term with 1.6 but despite the inaccuracy, the statement had well and truly been made in front of their home faithful.
