Saturday shapes up to be a monumental grand final battle, as the runners up from the two previous MC Labour Division 2 decider’s look to make history.
Having been the top two teams all season, it is only fitting that both Eltham and Banyule will be fighting out for the MC Labour Division 2 premiership. These two teams know how to play a classic, you only have to look to their clash two weeks ago in the second semi-final to get a good idea of the entertainment these two clubs provide.
With a week off, Banyule are primed and ready to face whatever is ahead of them on Saturday as they look continue their incredible rise in the NFNL.
Having the week off will prove beneficial for many of their players after a bruising win over the Panthers, and with key personnel such as Reuben Blackmore-Moore and Tim Martin battling long-term injuries throughout the year, the week’s rest will be important for Paul Harris and Ricky Dyson’s men.
Martin especially has proven to be a difference maker this season. When he has played, he’s taken games into his own hands, continuously giving his side first use out of the middle during the season. His work around the ground has also been excellent, playing key roles down back and up forward when required. If Martin has a big say in the contest, Banyule will go a long way to claiming the flag.
Riley Loton’s midfield brilliance will be one to look out for throughout the afternoon while competition leading goalkicker Jack Langford and young sidekick James Kayrooz will plan to exploit the Panthers defence as they did two weeks ago when they kicked four goals between them.
The Bears have been in this position before. In 2019, they scraped by for a seven-point second semi-final victory over Whittlesea, before a disappointing defeat against the Eagles a fortnight later in the decider.
If they can avoid the same fate, Banyule will be playing Division 1 football in just their ninth season in the competition, which would be an outstanding achievement.
The Panthers were the most dominant team throughout the home and away season, dropping just one game heading into a final series that many tipped they would waltz through.
But they were unable to get over the Bears in the second semi-final a fortnight ago and only some final quarter heroics against Diamond Creek ensured they didn’t have a straight sets exit.
It would be fair to say that based off their finals series form, Eltham are coming into the grand final somewhat vulnerable. But the Bears will no doubt write the Panthers off at their own peril.
They have a coach at the helm who knows what this day is about. Robert Hyde is a three-time premiership coach with Greensborough and a three time NAB League winner with the Calder Cannons. His experience has been huge for Eltham’s youth who continue to lead the way in season 2022
The minor premiers have trusted their young stars all year and will do so again on grand final day, opting for the likes of Declan Ayres and Jason McCormick over experienced veterans Michael Still and Matthew Williamson.
Eltham are looking for their first senior men’s triumph since 2002. They have only made one grand final since in a decider that is still one of the greatest in NFNL history, falling short on the last kick of the day to Lower Plenty in the 2018 Division 2 grand final.
These are two sides who have played some exhilarating football throughout this year’s campaign and are both desperate to enter the topflight in season 2023. Their last two matches have had a combined margin of 15 points and despite some wet weather expected at Preston tomorrow, we could have another memorable grand final on our hands.
