A huge second half of the season awaits in MC Labour Division 2, with this weekend’s matches having the potential to cause a few shake ups at both ends of the ladder.
Many eyes will be peeled to the battle of fifth v sixth as St Mary’s will host Watsonia at Whatmough Park.
Separated by only percentage, to say a win is critical for both sides would be an understatement.
Following two big games on the road, the Burra are back at home and will be looking to secure one of their most important wins of the season in front of the faithful.
The fortnight had mixed success for the St Mary’s picking up a vital eight-point victory over Thomastown before falling short by 15 points to Lower Plenty.
Playing predominantly up forward, Vincent Loccisano was the side’s best player in the defeat to the Bears. He’d finish the day with four goals, kicking three in the opening quarter.
But despite the defeat, the Burra continue to put in competitive performances and with an in-form Watsonia their task this week, a win could really distance themselves from the bottom five.
The Saints have been playing impressive football in recent weeks and come into this game on the back of three consecutive victories.
Their most recent triumph was their best triumph since the opening round, when the Saints comfortably defeated Thomastown by 32-points.
Harrison Sinclair, Corey Potter, Lachlan Potter and Ben Callaghan all had impressive days out with coach George Lattouf praising the composure and the efforts of his young side throughout the afternoon.
Watsonia will also hope to avoid a repeat performance last time these two met in Round 2 this year, when St Mary’s kicked nine goals to four after half time to claim a 40-point victory.
But with the visitors set for their biggest game since the 2016 Division 3 premiership, this match should go down to the wire.
Another intriguing fixture takes place at Montmorency Park South Oval as ladder leaders Eltham do battle with Lower Plenty.
The Panthers have won six games in a row and haven’t moved from top spot since Round 5. If they can get past the only side they’ve yet to defeat in 2022, they’ll create a 10 point gap between them and the fourth placed side, all but assuring a finals berth.
A victory for the Bears meanwhile puts them just two points off the top of the ladder, as they look to regain a second chance spot on the table.
Phil Plunkett’s side are too in good form, losing just one of their past five fixtures and most recently defeating St Mary’s by three goals at home.
Ciaran Porter, Tom Blake, Ben Paterson and Corey Sleep all stood up when required in the absence of Tom Keys, Billy Barden and Josh Turner who will all be hoping to get back for this huge clash.
The Panthers have been relentless since that defeat to Lower Plenty in April, winning their next six games by an average of 90 points.
Matthew Williamson will come into the game off an eight-goal haul against the Fitzroy Stars while solid contributions from the likes of Finnbar Maley, Daniel Horsefield and Ben Montanaro have made the Panthers midfield almost impossible to stop this year.
Robert Hyde’s side will want to remind the competition of their premiership favouritism with their ninth win of the season but expect the Bears to cause more headaches then the Panthers have faced in previous weeks.
Diamond Creek and Thomastown face off at Coventry Oval in a match that could prove consequential for both sides down the track.
The Creekers have hit a brilliant patch of form, winning their last six matches including important victories over St Mary’s and Lower Plenty.
Thanks to consistent performances from Sam Gleeson, Tyler Barnes and Thomas Bennett, the Creekers have put themselves well and truly in the premiership hunt.
They’ve also proven difficult to score against, conceding the least number of points across the whole competition, a factor Thomastown will need to push past if they are to turn their season around.
Every game almost becomes a must win for the Bears as they approach the second half of the year.
They currently sit on just three wins for season 2022, having lost three of their last four matches including disappointing defeats to Eltham, St Mary’s and Watsonia.
In some positives for Thomastown, Aaron D’Angelo has picked up where he left since his return to injury, playing key roles in defence while Lawrence Lopiccolo still leads the Coaches MVP race.
However, with St Mary’s (fifth) and Watsonia (sixth) playing each other over the weekend, another defeat for the Bears will sit them 10 points away from a top five finish, meaning they would have to make up some considerable ground in the last two months of the season to play finals.
The Creekers not only have the impressive form line coming into this game, but they also have the wood over the Bears already in this year’s campaign, defeating Thomastown by nine points in a tight encounter in the opening round.
A repeat effort from Andrew Tranquilli’s side will continue to put pressure on top of the table Eltham.
In a massive game for different reasons, Epping and the Fitzroy Stars will be desperate for a victory at Epping Recreation Reserve.
Since their opening round meeting, in which Epping prevailed by 17 points, neither side have been able to produce a victory, meaning the winner of this match could have a big say in the relegation battle.
The Blues haven’t been able to put together a competitive showing in the last couple of months, losing their past six fixtures by 100 points or more.
Damon Marcon has been the shining light for Epping this season, being on of their most consistent performers, while the return of Alex Buchan in the last few weeks will lift the spirits in their quest for a second win in 2022.
The Stars are still searching for their first win and following a narrow defeat to eighth placed Panton Hill three weeks ago, Lionel Proctor’s side will be sensing this weekend as their best chance to get off the mark.
If they can get the four points, they could potentially climb off the bottom of the ladder thanks to percentage, setting up a very intriguing final eight matches of the season.
However, another defeat will see them two games adrift of the next best side, meaning the Fitzroy Stars would have to produce some unlikely upsets in order to avoid Division 3 football next year.
Expect both sides to leave nothing on the field in this encounter.
Banyule will be out to record another comprehensive victory when they take on Panton Hill at Beverley Rd Oval.
The Bears responded to their 66-point defeat to Eltham three weeks ago with a statement making 19 goal victory over Epping in Round 9.
Riley Loton has produced another impressive campaign with the Bears while James Kayrooz looks to have returned to his consistent goalkicking form, as he comes into this game off the back of a career high six majors against the Blues.
Winning four of their past five matches, Banyule are in fine form and will be confident they can keep up their winning ways in order to keep in touch with the top sides.
Panton Hill will be hoping for an incredible upset victory in an attempt to further distance themselves from the bottom of the ladder.
The Redbacks are still yet to defeat a team higher placed than them this season and although the odds will be stacked against them, Simon Amore’s side will hope the mid-season break can rejuvenate them to find some form.
The Bears will be confident that they’ll have Panton Hill’s measure again after defeating them by 43 points in their last battle in Round 5.
