A likely top five deciding contest headlines another intriguing weekend of MC Labour Division 2 football.
It will be one of the most important games in recent memory for both Watsonia and Northcote Park when they do battle at Binnak Park, with the victor likely to play finals in 2023.
Currently sixth and fifth respectively, these two sides have been in the finals hunt all season, and if their Round 9 thriller is anything to go by, we could be in for another grandstand finish on Saturday.
The least the Saints will want to do is respond to their disappointing encounter with Eltham on the weekend, when they suffered a heavy 98-point defeat.
After being held to just one goal against the Panthers, James Lucente will be hoping to bounce back and have his usual influence.
Joshua Boulton and Julian Janev continue to be in good form and were at their best despite the loss last week. If they can repeat their efforts this weekend, it will go a long way towards securing the four points for Watsonia.
The Cougars have been able to hold onto a spot in the top five for the majority of the season, but their finals chances took a hit following a 15-point loss to South Morang last weekend.
That was despite Alexander Boyse’s three-goal final term, with the third of that chain seeing his side hit the front before they were rolled by the Lions.
Their top two players in the losing effort to the Lions were club captain Matthew Perry and recruit James Tadd. They have both stood up when their side has needed them in recent weeks and will have to do so again if they are to win.
With both sides coming off losses and with both playing current top two teams to round out the 2023 home and away campaign next week, expect this highly anticipated clash to live up to expectations.
Sneaking into finals with a late season charge in 2022, Thomastown are out on the same mission this season and will be looking to cause an upset when meet Diamond Creek at Main Street Recreation Reserve.
It’s been a mixed bag thus far for Peter Bugden’s men, but they have won their last two matches to keep themselves two points away from the top five.
They had a promising 47-point triumph over Panton Hill last weekend, with star midfielder Tyrone Leonardis producing his best once again.
Todd Hughes has also proven to be a valuable contributor for the Bears since returning to the senior side in Round 11, kicking a season high five majors against the Redbacks last week, taking his tally to 16 majors from his five matches in 2023.
But nothing short of Thomastown’s best efforts will be required this Saturday, when they take on the ladder leading Creekers, who have won their last 10 games by an average of 11 goals.
We got to witness the best of both worlds in Diamond Creek’s 107–point triumph over St Mary’s in Round 16, as not only did they keep an opponent to under 40 points for the ninth time this year, but they registered their highest score of the 2023 campaign to date.
One the top midfielders of the competition in Jacob Booth was again prolific in the victory over the Burra. He was complimented well by brilliant performances from Andrew Elward, Ryan Pingree and Brenton Keating.
Coming up to finals, the Creekers will be out to keep up their dominant ways and head into September full of momentum, but their opponents in Thomastown know that this is their final chance at keeping their finals chances intact and will look give their best effort.
Provided the Saints and Cougars clash doesn’t end in a draw, one more win is all that will be required for South Morang to secure a finals berth as they prepare to take on Panton Hill at Mill Park Lakes Reserve.
They claimed a vital 15-point win over Northcote Park last weekend to return to the top five and go one game clear of sixth placed Watsonia.
Having put together a brilliant campaign, Tye Hall was again in the thick of things last weekend, named amongst the Lions best players for the eighth time in 2023.
Someone who has been just as impactful, particularly in recent weeks, is Deacon Kalpakis. He has been named in his side’s best for three consecutive weeks and in four of his last five matches.
While they are officially out of the finals race, Panton Hill will be striving to end the season on a high.
They have made some great strides despite missing out on finals action again, highlighted by recruits Tom Keys and Riley Livingstone, who have both had impressive inaugural seasons at the club.
Keys has been exceptional all over the ground and has proven to be a brilliant utility, while Livingstone has been the club’s leading goalkicker with 36 majors.
One player to keep an eye on throughout the remaining fortnight is Nicholas Parks, who has been named in his side’s best in 10 of 14 games in 2023, which includes four of the last five matches.
Although they went down to the Lions earlier this season, Panton Hill’s record against their Saturday opponents remain positive, having won the previous three clashes prior to their Round 9 meeting.
But with the Lions on the verge of a Division 2 finals campaign, they will be determined to secure their 10th win of the season and lock in a September appearance.
Eltham will be hoping their big victory from last weekend is a sign of things to come as they take on Lower Plenty at Eltham Central Park.
Not only did Tim Bongetti’s men respond to their disappointing loss to Diamond Creek in Round 15, but they sent a reminder to the rest of the competition that they’re absolutely a genuine premiership contender following a massive 16-goal win over Watsonia.
One of the many positives in the performance was Ben Montanaro, who produced his best game of the season, kicking two majors and being named as his side’s best player for the afternoon.
Another is Jesse Donaldson, who continues to dominate in midfield and did again last Saturday, while teammate Daniel Owen found some form inside 50 with the absence of Jason McCormick, kicking three majors.
For the Bears, they come into the fixture having recorded their second win of the season last weekend, and by now being a game clear from bottom spot, they looked destined to survive Division 2 for another year.
Their inspirational 33-point win over Epping came in part thanks to two of their most experienced players. Patrick Flynn excelled all over the ground and had a massive say in the victory. When he was in the ruck, he performed exceptionally well with co-captain Joshua Turner, who was a clearance winning machine.
With some extra confidence in their strides, Phil Plunkett’s men will aim to replicate the effort that saw them almost upset the Panthers back in Round 9. The Bears led by 26 points at half time in that match but ultimately fell short by 11 points in a tight battle.
St Mary’s will be determined to move on from their heavy defeat last week when they do battle with bottom placed Epping at Whatmough Park.
The Burra had been in brilliant form leading up to their clash with top of the table Diamond Creek in Round 16, but looked no match from the outset, going down by 107 points on their home deck.
Fabian Carelli will hope it doesn’t knock the confidence out of his side, as they look to secure a double chance position by season’s end.
Jack Bianchin continued his great run of form and his performance was one of the few highlights from last weekend’s loss. He has been named in his side’s best for five consecutive games and has proven to be one of the most impressive players in the competition in 2023.
Their Saturday opponents in Epping suffered their 15th loss of the season last Saturday, going down to fellow relegation battlers Lower Plenty, and will now need everything to go right in the final fortnight if they are to spend a seventh consecutive year in Division 2.
Having faded out of games which they’ve started well in, the Blues suffered a familiar fate against the Bears, going down by 33 points after being ahead at half time.
Their best efforts from the loss came from experienced trio, Lucas Aquillina, Leigh Judd and Luke Lirosi who all fought incredibly hard to turn the tables for their side.
But they will need those same contributions from every player on the park if they are to pull off a stunning upset this weekend.
Epping will at least be hoping to put in a more competitive effort than their previous clash with the Burra which saw them go down by 67 points.
