BANYULE’S inaugural game in the NFL started perfectly in Round 1 action of Division 3 as the Bears served notice that they will not just be there to make up the numbers.
After being challenged in the second quarter by Heidelberg West, the Bears drew away to score an impressive 69-point victory in front of an estimated 700-800 people at Beverley Road Reserve – giving the game a finals-like atmosphere.
“It was a really important day for the club with under-19s, reserves and seniors recording three important wins,” noted coach Jason Plant.
His team was well led in the midfield by captain Ryan Hay and his vice captain Luke Giles. Eighteen-year-old Riley Williams also gave them a lot of run from defence.
The Bears go to the Round 2 bye well pleased their initiation into the NFL.
The Hawks were well served by recruits Matt Reinke – who has not played a lot of football in recent years – and key defender Alex Demeo.
“We showed some good signs but just need to get fitter looking forward to next month to show where we are at,” Heidelberg West coach Derek Shaw said. Several of his players currently are lacking in fitness due to other commitments.
South Morang played Reservoir in a replay of the 2014 preliminary final at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. The Lions jumped out of the blocks to lead by 31 points at quarter time. It was six goals each thereafter – with the Mustangs never really looking likely to make up the deficit.
Small forward David Berryman booted two goals and was named in the Lions’ best – as was playing assistant coach Paul Harrison with six goals.
“We stated off great,” South Morang coach Craig Lambert said. “Reservoir kept in it and kept fighting, but we were strong enough to keep the distance between the two teams.”
Epping managed to hold off a fast finishing St Mary’s team at Epping Recreation Reserve. The Burra kicked 5.3 to 2.1 in the final stanza, but it left them six points shy of the Blues.
New recruit Christopher Chilcott was named in the best for Epping with five goals, while Joel Dunmore and Cameron Brown each chipped in with three majors in the narrow victory.
Liam O’Donnell managed five goals for St Mary’s. James Ind, who carried some injuries in 2014, slotted four goals.
“We want honourable losses to be a thing of the past,” Burra coach Con Borg said. Nonetheless, he would have been happy that his team finished the game off well – after a pre-season which highlighted the need to run out games better than in 2014.
Watsonia, who had the bye in Round 1, commences its 2015 season with a trip to Whatmough Park to play St Mary’s. Despite playing a team with a run under its belt, new Saints coach Corey McCall will hope that their practice match efforts will enable them to do well. The Saints and the Burra shared the spoils one win apiece in the 2014 season.
Heidelberg West hosts South Morang at Heidelberg Park. The Lions are likely to start firm favourites as they seek to establish themselves at the top of the ladder. The teams faced off three times in 2014, but the Hawks lost all three by sizeable margins.
In what shapes as the match of the round in Division 3, Epping travels to Crispe Park to take on Reservoir. The Mustangs will be desperate to square the ledger after losing in Round 1, while an Epping win would give it an eight-point head start against a fellow top four contender.
These teams have not played each other for many years. Given that the Blues only narrowly beat St Mary’s in the opening round, the Mustangs will probably start favourites in this contest. But it shapes as an enthralling tussle.
