Early contenders may separate themselves quickly on the MC Labour Division 2 ladder this weekend, as multiple clashes promise to establish the season’s pecking order.
With five teams leading the way with eight points to their name, and three sides yet to register a victory, the gap may continue to expand between the division’s leaders and the foot of the ladder.
Two flag fancies who have plenty of recent Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 experience in Eltham and Lower Plenty will lock horns in a massive Anzac Day eve twilight clash at Montmorency Park South Oval.
The 4.10pm game will determine which of these two contenders can rise up the ladder, with Lower Plenty looking for a second win to get its season going, while Eltham is on the hunt for a 3-1 start.
The game brings the sides together for the first time since the famous 2018 grand final, which Lower Plenty won on the last kick via a goal on the siren to Ben Paterson.
Lower Plenty were blown away early last week against Banyule at Beverley Rd Oval, falling to a 26-point deficit at half-time.
But an improved second half, and some inaccuracy by the home side, allowed Lower Plenty the chance to scrap their way into the contest, eventually falling short by just nine points in a tight finish.
Lower will take plenty of positives out of the second half – where they outscored a genuine premiership fancy away from home – and will again be looking to Darcy Barden, Corey Sleep and Jordan Sacco to lead from the front against another dangerous Division 2 rival.
Eltham rebounded superbly from a shock loss to Thomastown, leading from start to finish in a dominant 109-23 triumph over Panton Hill at Eltham Central Reserve.
The return of Matt Williamson was crucial, as the big forward provided headaches all day on his way to six majors, while Michael Still also chalked up a bag of five goals.
With star recruit Jackson Weatherald and the always reliable Brent Macaffer dominating, the Panthers returned to the blistering form they need to display consistently if they are to remain up the pointy end of the ladder this season.
Saturday’s clash will be telling as to where Eltham sits in the premiership race. Another win will see them solidify a spot in the top-three, while a loss would be their second defeat to a leading premiership contender in the opening month of the year.
Following a superb upset win over Thomastown, St Mary’s has the chance to maintain a top-five position if it can come away from Panton Hill with a third-successive victory.
The clash will be the first between the sides since the 2018 Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 grand final, which St Mary’s won by 13 points to secure its first premiership at senior level.
St Mary’s was terrific for all four quarters against Thomastown last Saturday, riding out to an early 24-point quarter time lead and never looking back in a 41-point win over the then competition ladder-leader.
Jacob Yeomans confirmed he was back to his mercurial best after a long lay-off through injury, finishing with three scintillating majors that had the Whatmough Park crowd roaring their approval.
Nick Gedge and Rory Hanlon continued their red-hot starts to the season, as St Mary’s showed it has the ability to match it with the league’s best sides. If the young group can continue in this form, they can eye lofty goals for 2021, including a potential finals berth.
But the result won’t come easy on Saturday, where Panton Hill will be firing for a maiden win to open its 2021 account – as well as exact some atonement for the grand final defeat when the sides last met.
After a heart-breaking six-point loss to Diamond Creek in the opening round, the Redbacks were unable to match it with a bigger-bodied Eltham in Round 2.
The 86-point losing margin showed the Redbacks what the required level was it this grade, although the cause was not added by the late exclusion of key defender Brent Ryan against a side possessing several hulking forwards.
Scott Conte, Matthew Fowler and Jesse Owens-Draper fought on gamely and again loom as key figures for the Redbacks – who return home for this weekend’s twilight fixture – where they will be desperate to secure a win to jump away from ninth spot on the ladder.
Following a shattering one-point loss in Round 2, Watsonia will need to go to another level if it is to rebound against Banyule.
Watsonia fans had a turbulent time last weekend, as their players fought to hold onto a three-point lead at the final break against Epping. But it wasn’t to be, as the Saints were overrun late.
It was the second-successive week the club has lost a thriller, following on from a four-point defeat to St Mary’s in the opening round. On both occasions, Watsonia has registered more scoring shots than the opposition.
Despite the agony of two close losses, the Saints must push on and take the positives out of the performances – with their best in both games demonstrating they have the ability to compete at this grade.
Young guns Riley Taylor and Teague Van Zwienen shone once again for the home side and certainly have bright futures ahead, while Jesse Presser and Jordan Kubeil both became threats up forward with two goals apiece.
Still yet to win a game, Watsonia has a tough match-up on the horizon when it hosts Banyule at A.K. Lines Reserve.
The Bears were in scintillating touch early in their Round 2 win over Lower Plenty, flying out to an lead through fast ball movement and dangerous factors up forward.
Jack Langford (two goals) was a handy target all day, alongside Patrik Della Rocca and Mitch Lovell, but it was the back line that kicked into gear in the second half.
Facing a gritty Lower Plenty side, Banyule had to dig deep to hold out the travelling team by nine points. In the final moments, Jake Truefeldt and Nick Biscontin were terrific in securing the tight result.
Still undefeated, Banyule has a massive chance to make it three from three if it can enjoy the same freedom going forward that it has experienced so far in 2021.
Thomastown will return to Main Street Recreation Reserve with a mounting injury list and their tail between their legs and must bounce back against the Fitzroy Stars on Anzac Day.
The Bears were on top of the table after a thrilling win over Eltham to close out Round 1, but a shock loss to St Mary’s on Saturday served as confirmation that a week can be a long time in football.
Thomastown never found themselves in the game, falling behind by 30 points at the main break and could not close the deficit in a 41-point loss against a younger St Mary’s side, who never relented.
Despite the defeat, it wasn’t all bad news for the Bears, with boom recruit Michael Tang once again leading from the front to continue his fine start to the season.
Daniel Bramich and Daniel Caruso were also amongst the best players for Thomastown, as they resolutely tried to stem a St Mary’s flow, that couldn’t be tempered. Looking forward, they will be crucial to the Bears responding quickly.
Fitzroy Stars have experienced a horror start to the season, first losing to Banyule by 108 points before slipping to a 93-point defeat to Diamond Creek on Saturday.
The Stars must quickly work to reverse their current form line to make anything of the season, with the club currently sitting at the foot of the ladder, with a percentage of just 25.
Despite their woes, Joshua Saveka, Riley Livingstone and Aaron Lynn all shone for the Stars, holding firm against a barrage of goals.
Diamond Creek can remain undefeated if it travels to Epping and defeats a side fresh off an intense win, when the sides meet at Epping Recreation Reserve on Anzac Day.
Bolstered by the inclusion of skipper Leigh Judd, Jhye Baddeley-Kelly and James Tadd, Epping hung around all day against Watsonia, remaining within striking distance before running home hot to claim the Round 2 match by a solitary point.
Michael Jacobson and Baddeley-Kelly contributed heavily, with Baddeley-Kelly’s goal midway through the final term proving to be the winner. Dallyce Taylor and Sage Dicello shared five goals, which was also vital to their side creeping over the line.
Under new coach Andrew Tranquilli, Diamond Creek are in the hunt to play finals footy in 2021 and must win these games if they are to finish in the top-five.
The Creekers looked rusty in their Round 1 win over Panton Hill but were ruthless last week in a big win over the Fitzroy Stars – where they conceded just three scoring shots for the day, all of which came after half time.
Tyler Barnes holds a three-vote lead at the top of the Coaches MVP leaderboard after securing the perfect 10 votes against the Stars – taking his tally to 17 votes in two rounds.
Jack Empey continues to show great signs and was a constant danger with three majors, while Ryan Pingree, Michael Florance and Nicholas Barro all scored multiple goals on the way to a 93-point victory. Lachlan Coe and Josh Marchbank were also major factors.
With eight points racked up already, the Creekers will be on track to their goal of returning to finals football if they can find their way to three-consecutive wins to start 2021, ahead of a tough month of matches.
