Banyule have pulled off an extraordinary comeback in Round 14 of the Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 season, clawing their way back from a 32-point deficit to defeat Hurstbridge by two points at Beverley Road Oval.
The Bears trailed for most of the game but lifted when it mattered most, keeping the Bridges to just three points in a frantic final quarter to claim a 11.5 (71) to 10.9 (69) win.
It was a highly anticipated contest between the two sides sitting inside the top five, with Hurstbridge starting the round in fourth and Banyule just behind in fifth.
Early on it was all Hurstbridge as they asserted dominance in the first term with Matthew Nagel opening the scoring inside ten minutes.
Bailey Jordan and Caelan Anderson quickly followed with another two goals as the Bridges controlled the contest with clean ball movement and strong intercept marks in defence.
Banyule found it difficult to generate forward pressure and only managed just one behind in the first quarter, trailing by 27 points.
Hurstbridge extended their lead early in the second quarter with another quick goal until Banyule finally broke through, with Oscar White kicking their first major of the game.
Noah Wheeler began to find plenty of the football, helping swing momentum.
Jake Richards and Joel Perugini both added goals in a scrappy but intense second quarter. Hurstbridge continued to miss a few chances, kicking three behinds to end the half.
At the break, Hurstbridge still led 7.5 (47) to 2.3 (15). The third quarter saw Banyule lift their pressure significantly.
Although Jordan responded to Banyule’s first goal of the term with a brilliant 60-metre boundary goal, the Bears held composure.
Rising talent Riley Ormerod kicked his first, before James Kayrooz slotted another to reduce the margin to 26 points.
A quick response from the Bridges briefly stopped their momentum, with Jordan’s third just before the last quarter giving Hurstbridge a 32-point margin heading into the last.
With their season on the line, Banyule came out firing in the final term. Ormerod kicked his second, followed by another from Kayrooz to reduce the margin to 14.
Daniel Owen kept the momentum going before Kayrooz booted his third of the half to bring the difference to just a point.
A clutch goal from Vivian Blackmore-Moore saw the Yulers take the lead as they held on bravely in the dying minutes.
Hurstbridge surged forward relentlessly, spending much of the last five minutes inside their attacking 50, but Banyule’s defence stood tall.
The Bears’ marking consistency under pressure was instrumental, with key marks from Blackmore-Moore, Wheeler, and Joshua Collins denying the Bridges a final score.
It was a passionate, hot-blooded and intense contest from beginning to end, yet it was Banyule’s resilience that saw them claim an inspiring one-point victory.
Coach Damian Truslove was rapt about their fourth-quarter performance, stating the leadership team were “so proud” after the game.
He commented on the Bear’s year-round plan and reflected on their form for the ongoing season.
“If you stick to the process, stick together, and stay connected, the season’s well and truly alive,” Truslove said.
The result sees Banyule take over Hurstbridge’s place, pushing towards a top-five finish as the season finale nears.
For the Bridges, it marks the second time they’ve suffered a one-point loss after holding a convincing lead, previously falling short to North Heidelberg in Round 12.
