A preview of the Round 4 matches in A Plus Labour Solutions Division 2.
Thomastown and Lower Plenty tasted defeat for the first time this season in Round 3, meaning there are no undefeated sides remaining in A Plus Labour Solutions Division 2.
Expect another intriguing round of matches this weekend, highlighted by a clash between first and third at Coventry Oval as Diamond Creek hosts Lower Plenty.
The Demons climbed to the top of the ladder, following a 42-point victory over Thomastown last week. A 10-goal third term was instrumental for the Demons to seal the win.
Oliver Parks continued his fine start to the season and was named in the Demons’ best, along with ruckman Josh Marchbank, Jacob Booth and Rory Kavanagh. Jess Cosaitis is proving to be a great pick, with the big forward booting three goals to move his tally to nine.
Lower Plenty suffered a disappointing loss to North Heidelberg in Round 3. The match was expected to be a close encounter and the Bears started well in the opening term, but conceded 13 goals after quarter time fall to a 47-point defeat.
Tom Keys was the only multiple goal kicker for the Bears, while defender Cameron Elmore managed a goal and was his side’s best. The Bears will be seething from last week’s result and will want to bounce back against one of the division’s most competitive sides.
North Heidelberg returns to Shelley Reserve for the first time since Round 1 when it meets Thomastown. The Bulldogs have made their home ground a fortress, winning their past 14 games at the venue.
They welcomed back Brent Harvey last week and the former North Melbourne champion didn’t disappoint, booting two goals and being voted in his side’s top three players.
But it was his brother Shane who was best afield, kicking a match-winning seven goals to increase his total to 18 for the season. His tally is double that of his closest rival.
Thomastown suffered its first defeat of the season against Diamond Creek. The Bears had shown good form in the first two weeks of the year but could not carry that on against one of the division’s more skilled sides.
Ricky Mercuri and Dylan Armstrong were among their side’s best players in defeat last week, while Jacob Osei-Duro was his side’s leading goal kicker with three goals, making it nine majors in three weeks.
This week will be a great test for the Bears and if they can compete with the Bulldogs, it will give them credibility in the race for the top four.
The Fitzroy Stars are one of the competition’s hottest teams this year and this week host Panton Hill at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval.
The Stars have won their past two games by an average of 69 points and last week controlled the contest from the outset in a big win over Watsonia at A.K. Lines Reserve.
While the Stars have always been capable of big scores, it is their defence which has stood tall this season. The Stars are the second best defensive side in Division 2 with players like Clinton Benjamin, Max Maynard and Keith Morgan all in great form.
The Redbacks sit bottom of the table having scored the fewest points in the competition this year and conceded the most. Last week they were left to rue a slow start at home to Lalor, losing by 28 points after trailing by 23 at the first change.
The Redbacks will fancy their chances of causing a boilover this week having matched up well against the Stars over the past three years. In particular, they will take a lot of confidence from their win at the venue last year, when they came from 29 points down at three-quarter time.
The final match of the round sees Watsonia travel to Lalor. Both sides will be looking for their second win of the year.
After a Round 1 victory, the Saints have lost their past two matches. Newly promoted sides usually take time to find their feet and the same can be said for the Saints.
There are moments in games when Watsonia show what they are capable of, but they are still in need of more attacking options to support Allan Young.
Lalor needed to perform in Round 3, following a big loss on ANZAC Day and the Bloods delivered by beating Panton Hill. The win was set-up with a six-goal to two opening term.
Nick Sandy put his hand up to lead the Bloods attack by booting five goals, while Harley Nancarrow chipped in with four majors. Jhye Baddeley-Kelly played a fine game and capped his performance with a mark of the year contender.
