MC Labour Division 2 Preview – Round 6


Published on Thursday, May 13, 2021

Author : Sean Mortell

Sparing an exciting top of the table clash, the top half of the ladder takes on the bottom half in Round 6 of MC Labour Division 2.

The match of the round is evident, as undefeated Banyule hosts a second-placed Diamond Creek side who is making a habit of punching above its weight.

The Bears were gritty and strong in Round 5, stopping hosts Eltham from lodging a goal until time-on of the third quarter in their highly-awaited clash at Eltham Central Park.

Despite a last quarter fightback from their host, Banyule steadied to win by 11 points and establish themselves as the team to beat in the early stages of 2021 – with a fifth-consecutive victory maintaining a one-game buffer atop the ladder.

2019 competition best and fairest winner Riley Loton was superb in the middle, staying strong despite copping several big hits and slotting two crucial majors.

But an inaccurate display in front of goals meant the Bears’ best players were in defence, with Jacob Mitchell (9 Coaches’ MVP Award votes) and Nick Biscontin (8) holding firm to negate Eltham all day.

Yet another challenge lies ahead of Banyule at Beverley Road Oval, with Diamond Creek travelling with their eyes on reaching top spot.

In a tight Round 5 clash, the Creekers kept their noses narrowly in front all day before holding on to a nine-point win over Thomastown. It was sweet relief, having lost five of their previous six games against the Bears heading into the encounter.

Oliver Parks was clearly the home side’s best player, taking home all ten Coaches’ MVP Award votes for his domineering display, while Ryan Pingree and Trent Forbes both excelled up forward, banging home three goals apiece to set up the crucial victory.

Tyler Barnes continued a rapid start to the season with another solid performance, and he is one of many crucial factors for Diamond Creek if they are to inflict the first loss of the season upon Banyule.

Panton Hill’s clash with Lower Plenty promises to be an intriguing encounter, despite the disparity in ladder positions between the seventh and third-placed teams.

Panton Hill made it two wins in a row when they ran away from the Fitzroy Stars with a rampant second half at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval.

Despite only leading by two points at half time, a 13 goal to one second half established a massive 79-point victory – the Redbacks’ second-successive big win on the road, following a 55-point triumph at Epping the week prior.

Jack Ryan and Nathan Hendry were the stars for the Redbacks, kicking four goals each and racking up a stack of the football. Deservedly, they both took home nine Coaches’ MVP Award votes.

The result moved the Redbacks two wins and percentage clear of the bottom of the ladder and now the newly-promoted side’s focus will turn to pushing for a top-five spot, rather than looking back over its shoulder.

Panton Hill’s winning streak will be severely challenged when Lower Plenty comes to A.E Cracknell Reserve looking to continue their solid form.

The Bears held firm in their twilight clash with Watsonia in Round 5, as a seven-goal to two first term laid the foundations for an impressive 24-point win.

Tom Keys was unstoppable with a bag of six majors, while Billy Barden and Ben Paterson both joined in on the action with four goals apiece – with the trio sharing 14 of the club’s 15 goals in the win.

Yet it was Josh Turner who stole the show with a heroic display in the midfield, winning the full ten Coaches’ MVP Award votes for a dynamic performance for the Bears.

Given the top-two sides play each other this week, a win for Lower Plenty would either move them up into outright second place or within percentage of first.

Following another tight loss, Thomastown must bounce back when they host Epping if they are to regain their footing inside the top-five.

Thomastown fought hard for the entire four quarters at Coventry Oval, but couldn’t do enough when it counted to leave Diamond Creek with the four points.

The margin was less than a goal at each of the quarter breaks – before Diamond Creek kicked clear early in the last, then held out a fast-finishing Thomastown outfit.

Ben Nesci led the way for the Bears with three majors and six Coaches’ MVP Award votes, with his performance highlighted by a bicycle kick goal which would be the front runner for goal of the year. Joel Carter and Aaron D’Angelo also persevered for the visitors.

Up forward, Salvatore Mamone and Todd Hughes both snagged braces of goals, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Thomastown falling to a 3-3 record and slipping to sixth spot on the ladder.

A slow start cost Epping, who allowed St Mary’s to secure a four-goal lead at the first break that they could never reel back in.

Jhye Baddeley-Kelly was once again Epping’s best, while Jordan Wilkins, Stefan Balassopoulos (3 goals) and Michael Sibaie (3) all contributed strongly.

Epping will take some heart out of a gritty last term, where they managed to kick five goals to St Mary’s three to peg the final margin back to 36 points.

Despite the loss, Epping can take positives into this clash, but they will need to produce a markedly improved effort from their Round 1 clash against Thomastown – where the Bears prevailed by 93 points on Good Friday.

Watsonia must be at their best if they are to travel to Eltham Central Reserve and come away with an upset win.

The Saints have provided stiff opposition against many of the top sides this year, however they have managed just one win from their first five games and have yet to claim a major scalp to this point.

George Lattouf’s side started off slowly in their twilight clash with Lower Plenty in Round 5, slipping to a 35-point quarter time deficit before fighting back in the eventual 24-point loss.

Teague Van Zwienen was yet again at the forefront of everything good for Watsonia, receiving seven Coaches’ MVP Award votes for his persistence, while fellow young star Lachlan Potter also shone for the Saints against a quality side.

Jesse Presser led the charge up forward with three goals and heads the Saints’ goal kicking with 11 majors for the year. His importance to the team has been heightened further by a significant injury to Adrian Alfonsi early in last week’s loss.

But they Saints have to go to another level if they are to beat a fired-up Eltham side, who will be out for revenge after a hard-fought loss to Banyule.

With only one goal on the board to three quarter time, the Panthers roared back into life in the final term with three majors, as an undersized forward line finally began to find ways through Banyule’s defence.

With a host of key players missing last week, Brent Macaffer and Anton Woods were terrific through the midfield for Eltham, using their leadership to pull their side through a tough first half against a well-drilled opposition.

But it was Lane Sinclair who starred across the ground, with his athleticism and marking abilities coming to the fore at crucial stages.

Sinclair looms as vital player for the Panthers if the likes of Tim Currie, Michael Still and Jackson Weatherald don’t return to the senior side soon.

In the final game of Round 6, St Mary’s have a golden chance to post another win and cement their place inside the top half of the ladder when they host the winless Fitzroy Stars.

Six goals in each of the first and third terms set up the Burra’s 36-point win over Epping last week, in a result which provided Fab Carelli’s side with its fourth win from its past five starts.

Zane Costello was the hero for St Mary’s, slamming home eight goals and receiving the full ten Coaches’ MVP Award votes. It was a remarkable performance by the 19-year-old, who has shown outstanding promise during the opening third of the season.

Young Connor Kissane and reigning club champion Nicholas Dean were also prominent for the Burra, as they both snapped through two goals apiece to create a dynamic forward line.

In regards to forward lines, Fitzroy Stars proved last Saturday that their attack isn’t their weakness despite sitting winless at the bottom of the ladder.

A high-scoring first half benefited the Stars, who lodged nine goals to the main break in a thrilling two quarters of footy against Panton Hill.

Ex-Essendon star Nathan Lovett-Murray did his best for Fitzroy Stars, booting three goals and adding a touch of experience to the side.

But a dismal second half opened the floodgates in their back half, as even the best efforts of Rivva Karpany and David Boxer couldn’t stem the flow in a disappointing big loss they will be looking to avenge on Saturday.

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