The frontrunners will be looking to separate themselves from the chasing pack in Round 2 of A Plus Labour Solution Division 2.
Eltham will be looking to make it three from three when it travels to R.J. Brockwell Oval to take on newly-promoted Banyule, fresh off an outstanding Round 1 performance.
Banyule made it known to the rest of the division that it deserves its place in the competition after being promoted from Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 last year, having won the premiership.
Pete Davey’s side was clinical last week in its match against Watsonia, with a seven-goal to one first half setting up a dominant 78-point win at home.
Scott Gumbleton and Jacob Mitchell each snagged three goals in the win, whilst former Essendon player Brent Stanton fitted in seamlessly and was named amongst the best with his two goals.
Eltham has started its campaign with two wins in a row to sit atop the ladder – easily accounting for Diamond Creek on Good Friday, before outlasting Epping last weekend.
The Good Friday matchup saw the Panthers kick clear in the second half to post a comprehensive 59-point win over last year’s runner-up, which was backed up by a 47-point win over Epping.
Luke Wachinger bagged seven goals across the two games and has come into his own up forward for the Panthers, whilst new recruit and former Collingwood midfielder Brent Macaffer has been a great acquisition, featuring amongst the best against the Blues.
This will be the first time these two sides face off under the Northern Football Netball League banner, with Eltham in particular looking to continue its reign on top of the table as it aims to make it a short stint in A Plus Labour Solutions Division 2.
The match between Thomastown and the Fitzroy Stars at Main Street Recreation Reserve is one which will attract a heap of attention as both sides aim to get onto the winners list for the first time in 2018.
Both were beaten comfortably last weekend, however quite ironically, both sides recorded 4.5 (29) apiece at the conclusion of their respective matches.
The Stars were comprehensively defeated by a determined Diamond Creek outfit in the opening round, never looking to be in the match after a nine-goal to one opening half saw the foundation set for a 94-point thumping.
Chris Hall was one of the rare shining lights for the Stars, featuring amongst the best, while fellow recruit Benny Stallion kicked two goals to be his side’s only multiple goal scorer.
Thomastown had an outstanding first half in its match against Lower Plenty and held a 16-point advantage at the major interval. However, it wasn’t to be for Ben Chapman’s side, who was held to just two behinds in the second half to fall to a 28-point defeat.
There were still some points of optimism for Thomastown, with new acquisitions Dylan Chapman and Salvatore Mamone amongst the best in the loss, with Chapman arguably the best player on the ground, despite the final result.
Diamond Creek will look to continue last week’s outstanding form when it travels to Epping.
The Creekers bounced back emphatically after a very disappointing output against Eltham two weeks ago on the Good Friday stage, leading at every change against the Stars to send a stern message to the rest of the competition.
Jess Cosaitis added to his two-goal haul on Good Friday with a bag of seven on the weekend in a dominant display, whilst youngsters Nicholas Barro and Mitch Wild have fitted in seamlessly.
Epping was competitive in its first outing of the season against a strong Eltham outfit, keeping the Panthers to just three second-half goals in the 47-point defeat.
Damon Marcon, who joined the Blues from the Preston Bullants, was his side’s only goal kicker, with both majors in tough conditions. He and other former Bullant Reed Jepson were amongst Epping’s best in their first game for the club.
After being promoted late in the pre-season, the Blues have to endure a tough opening few weeks to start the year, but they showed last week that they can contend in the higher grade.
Watsonia and Lower Plenty clash in the final match of the A Plus Labour Solutions Division 2 round, when they meet at A.K. Lines Reserve in the 4:10pm twilight slot.
Watsonia was disappointing on the weekend in its first outing of the season. The Saints had kicked only one goal up until the three-quarter time, before finishing the match with a wayward 3.16 (34).
Former Whittlesea and South Morang recruits Clark Sloan and Daniel Watson tried their best in their first game in the red, white and black, while Ben Sutherland was resolute.
Watsonia will undoubtedly be looking to put together a far better performance in its first home match of the season, but it won’t be easy against a Lower Plenty side that will have taken confidence from its come-from-behind win over Thomastown.
With just one goal in the opening half, the Bears were down by 16 points at the major break, but a two-goal haul and best-on-ground performance from Tom Keys lifted them over the line in a dominant second half.
With a heavy focus on junior development at the forefront of their plans this season, Lower will still prove to be a genuine contender this year if it can maintain its form from the final two quarters of Round 1.
