VAFA ROUND 21_Col.indd - Victorian Amateur Football Association

DIVISION 2
DA BEARS AND DAVE BOUNDY
James Coyne
Banyule will be in Division One next season
after narrowly defeating an inspired Glen Eira
unit by 11 points. The boys from Banyule were
very lucky to get away with Saturday’s win.
Glen Eira jumped them and was three goals up
at quarter time. The Bears responded and got
back to playing great flowing footy in the second
quarter by kicking six goals to one. At half time
Banyule led by 15 points and were looking to
build on that in the second half.
However Glen Eira came out after the long break
and played the same intense style that they had
played in the first quarter. Glen Eira dominated
the mid-field but due but the backline of Banyule
stood up and were well on top, limiting the
Saints ability to score. This was thanks largely
to Michael Christian, David Drapac and Luke
French. Banyule outscored Glen Eira by a goal
to go in with a very handy 21 point lead. And
when the Bears kicked the first goal to lead by
27 points, the writing was beginning to be appear
on the wall for the Saints. To their credit, Glen
Eira continued to fight and put Banyule under a
heap of pressure. But with three minutes to go,
Glen Eira got to within 11 points and would
ultimately fall short by that margin, much to the
relief of the Bears. As predicted, Ash Brown was
the difference booting eight majors. Glen Eira
should be commended and especially Stefan
Krull, Andrew Spink and Michael Kohout.
Scott Diamond was efficient booting three goals.
Glen Eira will look to meet the Bears again, but
first must face a high flying Old Paradians.
An eight goal haul from Dave Boundy ended
Old Westbourne’s tilt at the premiership, Old
Paradians winning the ticket by 38 points. The
game started promisingly for both sides and just
seven points separated them at the end of the first
quarter to the Raiders advantage. Unfortunately
for the Warriors, Old Paradians went on to extend
that margin to 29 points at the long change. With
Boundy doing as he pleased, the Warriors lacked
one of their own to take a grip of the game,
though they had plenty who tried to do so. Chris
Hudson, Damien Lockwood, and Paul Hudson
fought bravely for Westbourne, but the margin
at three quarter time blew out to 34 points. The
last quarter was Westbourne’s best, but only the
inaccuracy of the Raiders allowed the winning
margin to stay underneath fifty points. Brent
Richardson and Daniel Mahony were key
contributors towards winning the opportunity to
face Glen Eira for a Grand Final spot.
Reserves: Banyule defeated Bentleigh by 12
points. In a classic game between the two best
teams in D2 reserves, it was the Bears that took
the grand final spot, six goals to none second
quarter. Bentleigh rallied in the last to boot five
goals to one but ultimately paid the price for
their slow start. The best for Banyule was Scott
Playfair, Matt Eifermann and Mark Smith.
While for Bentleigh, Mick McCullagh and Rex
Coles stood up as did Bobby Bennett. Meeting
Bentleigh for a Grand Final spot against Banyule
will be Old Paradians after the Raiders took
apart Old Westbourne to the tune of 56 points.
The Warriors couldn’t find a way to goal as
Paradians sealed the game in the second half.
Anthony Posterino and David Salvatico were
the best for Old Paradians while for Josh Lawn
was terrific for Westbourne.
THIS WEEK: Fighting for spots in the D2 Grand
Final will be Glen Eira and Old Paradians.
And after the performances the two sides put on
show last, it will be a hotly fought contest. Again,
David Boundy and Chris Kandilakis were be
the measuring stick on how far the Raiders will
go. For Glen Eira, they will need to play at the
same intensity to get over the line against a very
talented team. Stefan Krull, Andrew Spink,
10 THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2010