The second round of the MC Labour Division 2 season has some intriguing fixtures in store following the opening weekend of the 2022 season.
The 2022 campaign looks to be the most competitive the Division has looked in recent seasons, with several close encounters occurring in the opening round.
With sides still finding their feet in the early going of the season, underwhelming performances can be forgiven. But things will need to turn around quickly for several sides who risk falling away just two weeks into the new season.
Heavyweights Banyule and Thomastown meet at Beverley Road Oval in a Battle of the Bears, with Banyule getting their first chance to play in front of the faithful this season.
Having been the top side of the Division in 2021 season’s eventual suspension, Banyule showed in the opening round that they’re still the team to beat following a comfortable 10-goal win over St Mary’s in Round 1.
The Bears currently sit top of the ladder with a percentage of 300 following their win at Whatmough Park last Saturday.
Christian Farchione and Aydin Dani were amongst the Bears top players in the win, with the duo having impressive days out, while U19s listed James Kayrooz stepped up for the senior side, leading the scoring with four majors.
Thomastown will be coming into the clash looking to atone themselves following a nine-point loss at home to Diamond Creek.
The home side trailed by as much as 43-points in the early stages of the final quarter but despite a strong turnaround, the Bears fell short and as a result, started 0-1 for the first time since 2019.
Jarryd Coulson and Shannon Ball fought hard in the losing effort and will need to recapture that form if they are to scalp Banyule and get back on the winners list.
Watsonia will be looking to make it two from two when they take on St Mary’s at Binnak Park.
Having been in a relegation battle for the most part of the 2021 season, Watsonia looked to have turned their fortunes around in the early stages of this campaign.
Despite a late venue change which saw them travel to Montmorency Park South Oval rather than play at their new venue in Binnak Park, the Saints rallied to claim a famous win over the highly fancied Lower Plenty by just three points.
Josh Boulton had an impressive day out, while Kyle Wheatley was lively up forward kicking five goals to help his side secure victory.
Having kept pace with Banyule in the opening half, St Mary’s would be blown away in the third term and will need to put in a four-quarter performance if they are to finish the round outside the relegation zone.
Rory Hanlon and Daniel Castagnini, who were standouts in the Burra’s heavy loss, will need to repeat their efforts to give Fabian Carelli’s men the best chance of winning this encounter.
After a strong win against Thomastown over the weekend, Diamond Creek will be put up to the test again in Round 2 when they travel to Eltham Central Park to take on the Panthers.
The Creekers introduced four new players to their side in Round 1 to great effect defeating the Bears by nine points.
In what was a tight battle in the opening half, Diamond Creek proved what they’re capable of when at their best, with a six goal third quarter turning a one-point deficit at the main change into a six-goal lead at three-quarter time.
Sage Dicello in his first game in Creekers colours was important, finishing the day amongst the side’s best players. Dangerous up forward, he led the scoring with three goals while fellow debutant Sam Gleeson was also solid across half-forward.
However, after almost coughing up a 43-point lead, the Creekers can’t afford to cruise against a Panthers side that have a good record at home.
Having knocked off Panton Hill by five goals in their season opener, Eltham will come into their clash against Diamond Creek with momentum.
Looking to assert themselves in the fight for promotion, the Panthers bolstered their squad in the offseason, with Thomas Bevan-Shannon and Jameson Wood both having immediate impacts in their first game with the club.
If Diamond Creek are to win they’ll need to be wary of them, and also want to shut Alex Bellchambers who was massive in their 30-point win over Panton Hill last week.
Despite losing some big names during the offseason, Eltham still look to be a formidable side in 2022.
Epping’s new-look squad will be looking to knock off Panton Hill and make it two wins from its opening two games to give their 2022 campaign a perfect start.
The Blues blooded 10 new players in their season opener and although it was a slow start, they kicked into gear to record a 17-point victory over the Fitzroy Stars away from home.
Three of its new recruits were listed in the best performers for the Blues last week, with Damon Marcon, Bailey Caldow and Dylan Hoysted all influential.
The forward line tandem of Marcon and Hoysted will look to cause headaches for Division 2 sides, with the duo combining for eight goals between them. Marcon was the star of the show with five goals while Hoysted slotted three majors.
For Panton Hill, they too fielded a different looking side than from previous seasons, as eight new players lined up for their first game with the Redbacks last week against Eltham.
It was an honest performance from Simon Amore’s men, with the performance of Oliver Parks a highlight in the side’s loss. Playing his first game for the club since moving from Diamond Creek in the offseason, he was Panton Hill’s best player in the losing effort.
Having now got a feel of what each other are capable of, the Redbacks will be hoping to be more cohesive against the Blues.
Lower Plenty following their loss last week will be hopeful of getting themselves in the winner’s column when they take on the Fitzroy Stars at home on Saturday.
Coming off a surprise loss to Watsonia last week, Lower Plenty will be looking to avoid finishing the opening two rounds with two straight losses at home.
Despite leading by nine points at three quarter time, the Bears couldn’t stop the Saints storming home in the last term to prevail by three points.
Alden Meale starred for the Bears in their losing effort, influential around the ground and finishing the day with two goals. Meanwhile Darcy Barden, James Elliott, Joel Leslie and Ben Paterson were all handy contributors and will need to play in a similar fashion if Lower Plenty are to aim
Meanwhile the Fitzroy Stars will rue the missed opportunity to start 2022 with momentum after falling short to Epping in Round 1. Despite being in control for most of their game last week against Epping, the home side were overrun in the final term.
Stars tall Ashley Hood was impressive last week, having played a lot of game time in the ruck, he’d give his midfielders first use out of the middle, something he’ll need to repeat this week if the Stars are to get over the top. Kyle Thomas finished the day with four goals.
Having lost to Lower Plenty by 94 points last season, the Stars will be eager to put in a more competitive showing in 2022.
