A look ahead to the A Plus Labour Solutions Division 2 semi finals.
This weekend’s matches see Eltham and Lower Plenty meet in the second semi final on Saturday, before Banyule and Thomastown battle it out in the first semi final on Sunday.
SECOND SEMI FINAL – ELTHAM v LOWER PLENTY
A place in the A Plus Labour Solutions Division 2 grand final is up for grabs when Eltham takes on Lower Plenty in the second semi final at Epping Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
It is a match-up that was expected to come to fruition since very early on in the season, and despite both sides suffering minor slip-ups in recent weeks, both have proven themselves to be premiership contenders from the outset of 2018.
Eltham has been the most dominant side throughout the 2018 campaign, opening the season with an incredible 15-game winning streak, before closing out the year with losses in two of its final three games.
Having been demoted by percentage from Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 last season, the Panthers certainly have been determined to get themselves straight back into the top flight and are in prime position to claim their first piece of silverware since winning the Division 2 flag in 2002.
Star recruit and former Collingwood premiership player Brent Macaffer has proven his worth this season. The star midfielder has dominated the competition with his ability to win the hard ball, as well as provide first-class delivery into his side’s forward line.
Ben Montanaro, Tim Currie and Anton Woods have all been key contributors to the Panthers’ season as well, whilst the consistency from Lewis Glasgow has been outstanding, with his hard-nosed attitude aiding his side’s success.
Sadly, a knee injury will see Tom Rogers miss the finals series – a major blow given the consistent season he has put together.
Lower Plenty also enters the game in slightly patch form, having lost two of its past three regular season games against fellow finalists Banyule and Thomastown – either of which they would meet in a preliminary final should they lose the second semi.
Head-to-head form isn’t on Lower Plenty’s side entering this week’s match. The Bears have failed to defeat the Panthers in their previous two encounters this season, losing by 36 points in Round 8 and eight points in Round 12.
Despite this, a lot can be taken out of the nail-biting loss back in Round 12, which inspired Ben Turner’s side to win its next three games in a row and play a brand of football that certainly showed it is capable of achieving premiership glory this year.
Tom Keys has been Lower Plenty’s standout performer throughout the season. Keys has been used in a range of roles yet leads the team’s goal kicking with 36 for the season, as well as being named in his side’s best more than any other player.
It can be argued that skipper Patrick Flynn is Lower’s barometer. When he succumbed to a knee injury earlier in the season, Lower went on to lose its first two games whilst he was on the sidelines.
When Flynn has been playing and been a prominent force in the ruck, Lower has more than often won the match. A dominant showing by the big man this week could go a long way towards his side securing the first place in the grand final.
A host of youngsters have again proven their worth for Lower Plenty, with Ben Paterson and Jordan Sacco once again producing fantastic home and away campaigns.
FIRST SEMI FINAL – BANYULE v THOMASTOWN
A mouth-watering first semi final in A Plus Labour Solutions Division 2 pits two of the most exciting teams in the competition against each other, Banyule and Thomastown go to battle at Epping Recreation Reserve on Sunday.
Although Banyule had already secured its finals place before Round 18, Thomastown’s place was not guaranteed. Ben Chapman’s side produced an incredible comeback against Diamond Creek, to cut its deficit enough to book its first second division finals berth since 2018.
Banyule makes history as the first reigning Division 3 premier to play Division 2 finals the next season. They head into the finals with a wave of momentum, ending their season with four consecutive wins, having lost just once since Round 10.
That winning streak included a 28-point upset of Eltham in Round 16, becoming the first side to beat the Panthers all season. They then downed Lower Plenty in Round 18 – with the two away wins to the top-two sides showing the club is worthy of premiership contention.
Not only does Banyule have form on its side, it also has the superior head-to-head record against Thomastown – having won both battles of the Bears in 2018, including a five-point win Round 4 and a 55-point demolition at Main Street Reserve in Round 11.
James Kroussoratis has been one of the dominant players in the competition this year, leading the goal kicking with 68 majors, despite spending plenty of time up the ground. The match-winner has been a key reason to Banyule’s success this year, and why their transition into Division 2 has been seamless.
Daniel Kelly, Daniel Camilleri and Scott Gumbleton have also been vital to the Bears’ susses in 2018, all consistently featuring in their side’s best on a weekly basis. Meanwhile, former Essendon star Brent Stanton is set to return for the finals series.
Thomastown had to go through an emotional rollercoaster to book its place in the finals. Needing a win, or a loss by less than 12 points to Diamond Creek in Round 18, the Bears had to fight back from a 50-point deficit during the third term.
With an incredible final 40 minutes, they were able to peg the margin back to two points by the final siren, creating a scene of jubilation from the Thomastown faithful, as they set up their first finals appearance since winning the 2014 Division 3 flag.
In each of the three previous seasons after their promotion, Thomastown has finished in fifth place. The Bears will feel that they were due for some luck to fall their way this time around.
A top-four finish has been a long time coming for Thomastown, but the key to getting to the finals has been their ability to not rely on any one particular player to produce a standout performance.
Up forward, it has been the likes of Anthony Capeci, Jacob Osei-Duro and Matthew Ferraro who have carried the load – with the trio combining for 86 goals throughout the home and away season.
Star ruckman Dylan Chapman has proven to be one of the recruits of the season, while Josh Beare has produced a stellar year and his leadership will be even more important during the finals with stellar co-captain Matthew Vasilevski sidelined by injury.
