WHITTLESEA capped off a stellar season with a 46-point win over Banyule to clinch the 2015 Division 2 under-19s premiership.
The Eagles had 18 scoring shots in the final quarter as they showed their class to romp to a 13.20 (98) to 7.10 (52) victory at Preston City Oval.
Nicholas Pupillo was judged best afield with a dominant display through the middle, also adding a goal.
Jaron Murphy led the Eagles up forward, slotting three majors, with Jack Jerabek and Luke Wilson contributing two majors apiece.
For Banyule, Lewis Balcombe (two goals) was the only multiple goal scorer with five others slotting a goal apiece.
The Eagles allowed the Bears a sniff in the second and third quarters, kicking 1.6 in the second term to go into the main break just 16 points ahead, despite recording six more scoring shots on the board.
The Bears capitalised after half time, kicking the first two goals of the second half through Dale Rodda and James Lowe to draw level midway through the third term.
But as the pressure began to mount, the Eagles’ class shone through and they were able to stretch the margin back to 13 at the final change.
Pupillo was aided in the middle of the ground by captain Matthew Langford, who showed his leadership to will his side ahead when the Bears came back into the game.
For Banyule, Ben Nethercote and Sean Tanudtanud were driving forces in the third term when the Bears looked like they could pinch the match.
Whittlesea went into overdrive in the last quarter, slamming through 7.11 to Banyule’s 3.1 to stretch the final margin beyond seven goals.
Whittlesea coach Simon Young was full of praise for his team following the match, applauding his side’s ability to play for each other every week.
“The second half of the season has been very much about team football, doing the little bits and pieces for each other and they brought it out again today,” he said.
Young gave two crucial defensive jobs to Joel Brennan and Matthew Cormack, who played on the Bears leading goal kicker Lachlan James and Dale Rodda respectively, with both players holding their respective opponents to just one goal each.
“Both of those guys had to sacrifice their own game to hold their forwards back and they stepped up,” Young said.
The Eagles will face a tough challenge next season, moving up to Division 1 after their senior side came out three-point victors over Lalor to take home the premiership.
Banyule will look to go one better next season, with coach Sam Italia confident with what the future holds for his young side.
Final score: Whittlesea 13.20 (98) def Banyule 7.10 (52)
