We’ve hit the first week of finals in the MC Labour Division 2 competition and we’ll be treated to two terrific battles at Epping Recreation Reserve this weekend.
Eltham will fancy their chances to start their finals campaign on the right foot when they do battle with St Mary’s in Saturday’s Qualifying Final.
The Panthers have won all six meetings with their Saturday opponents, dating back to when the Burra joined Division 2 in 2019, winning by an average of 54 points in those clashes.
It has been another dominant home and away season for Eltham, failing to finish any round outside of the top two. They have now won 67 of their 80 regular season games since coming into Division 2 in 2019.
This season their two biggest recruits have delivered thus far.
Tom Goodwin has been a revelation in the ruck, and with the unavailability of Finnbar Maley due to VFL commitments this year, he has made the ruck position his own. He has been named in his side’s best in seven of 16 games, and has also managed 10 goals this year, four of those coming in his two games against St Mary’s.
Jesse Donaldson has also been a standout in midfield, with his clearance winning ability one of the many highlights of his game. He has been named in the Panthers’ best in nine of 12 games in 2023.
While Tim Bongetti’s men are used to finals football, they’ll face a side this weekend who are making their inaugural appearance in a Division 2 finals series.
After the heartbreak of 2022, St Mary’s overcame a slow start to produce a scintillating patch of football which saw them suffer just one defeat between Round 7 and Round 15 to solidify a double chance spot.
The Burra also looked to have recruited well this year, with Jack Bianchin comfortably fitting into the lineup, finishing with an appearance in his side’s best in nine of 17 games. His leadership has been a great asset to the young playing group.
Rory Hanlon has too been impressive, with his aggression and hunt for the footy taking his game to the next level in 2023.
Fabian Carelli’s men have always been seen to have multiple contributors on any given day. This is highlighted by their attacking options, with four players kicking 20 goals or more this campaign.
One of those is Tane Cotter, who has proven time and time again that he can take the game by the scruff of its neck whether it’s in the midfield or up forward.
While St Mary’s have lost two of their last three matches leading into this clash, if they get back to their brilliant mid-season form, they will certainly put up a case to push the Panthers to their limits.
It’s win or go home in Sunday’s elimination final, as South Morang and Watsonia meet in what looks to be an intriguing contest.
Both sides have exchanged wins in their two games this season, and it will be the first finals meeting between these two sides since the 2016 Division 3 preliminary final, a game which the Saints prevailed by 12 points on their way to that year’s premiership.
South Morang have continued their extraordinary rise to become the second reigning Division 3 premier to play Division 2 finals the following season.
It was shown from the outset that they were right in the hunt with the best teams this year and come into this week’s clash following a confidence boosting victory over Lower Plenty.
Nathan Stefanile has been a dominant force in the ruck and has been named in his side’s best in four of his last five matches. He will likely be the key to South Morang’s chances of a win this weekend.
He will also be aided in midfield by the likes of Bailey Brown and Tye Hall who have each been in terrific form coming into this contest.
Meanwhile Deacon Kalpakis has had a breakout season in the backline and has led a fairly disciplined defensive unit in 2023, they have conceded an average of just 58 points in the past three weeks.
Watsonia are riding an incredible wave, having narrowly missed out on a finals place in 2022, the Saints clinched a top five spot in the last game of the season to confirm their place in the Division 2 finals series for the first time since 2008.
Although they head into finals after a heavy loss to Diamond Creek in the last round of the home and away season, George Lattouf’s men will be determined to get back to their best football and will particularly look to replicate a period which saw them go 6-3 in the second half of the season.
One of those six victories came against South Morang in Round 15, where they broke away in the opening term and were never headed in one of their most impressive wins of the season.
Competition leading goalkicker James Lucente kicked six majors that day and has been brilliant inside attacking 50 for the Saints in 2023. While he has been quiet of late, he has kicked eight majors against the Lions in 2023, and if he gets on top early, it will have a big say towards his side’s chances of claiming the win.
It hasn’t just been Lucente that has provided the scores for Watsonia, with Adrian Alfonsi, Blake Charles and Charbel Khoury all kicking 25 or more goals this season.
With both sides looking to create more history on Sunday, expect an entertaining elimination final.
