The challengers will look to take it up to the contenders this round in another massive weekend of action in Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1.
Last weekend the 2022 season kicked off in spectacular fashion and while there were a few upsets to begin the campaign, all five winners won comfortably, with the average winning margin being 47 points.
The biggest game of the weekend will take place at Yulong Reserve, with two highly fancied sides in Bundoora and Montmorency facing off at 4:10pm.
Last weekend saw different results for both teams, with Montmorency getting their campaign off on the right foot against Northcote Park.
At home and in windy conditions, the Magpies took advantage of the breeze, kicking 86 of their 112 points with it, in their 78-point thumping of the Cougars.
Patty Fitzgerald led the way once more up forward with six goals. Fitzgerald picked up two coaches’ votes on the day alongside new recruits Danko Bzenic (seven), Liam Wale-Buxton (five).
Bundoora on the other hand will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing first loss against two-time reigning premiers West Preston-Lakeside.
They went into the match as favourites at J.E. Moore Park, but after looking strong in the early stages of the match, the Roosters took over and never looked back.
Hamish Shepheard was a shining light up forward with his three goals. He was named in their best alongside Nathan Howard, Sam Lloyd, Jesse King, Nathan Thomas and Luke Collins.
The Bulls debuted their biggest name on the weekend in ex-Bomber and Crichton Medal winner David Zaharakis as well as VFL-listed players Jake Hobbs (Essendon) and Ryan Sturgess who all had fair outings.
Many have predicted these two sides to be up there come finals time, with some even predicting them to be premiership favourites this year.
Most recently the Bulls and the Magpies met in the same round, at the same time but out at Montmorency Park in 2021. Bundoora got their first win of the campaign that evening, with a massive 38-8 third quarter a major factor in their 41-point victory over the home side.
However, with the Magpies improving dramatically this offseason, expect this fixture to be a much closer affair this time around.
Heidelberg will travel to neighboring Macleod in a massive clash out at De Winton Park.
The Tigers started off their 2022 campaign at home the right way, comfortably defeating an improved Hurstbridge lineup.
After a tight first half which saw them lead by 17 points at the main break, they scored 49 points to 11 in the second half to win by 55 points, with big men Tom Bellchambers and captain Sam Gilmore combining for six goals.
Northern Bullants VFL-listed defender Sean Martin shone on debut while reigning Division 1 MVP Matthew Smith picked up where he left off with another fantastic game. Both players scored nine coaches votes.
Macleod pulled off a major surprise in Round 1 when they defeated North Heidelberg and went 1-0 for the first time in five years.
The Kangaroos ran away with it in the second half, scoring 64 points to 34 (including 32 to 16 in the third) to win by 40 points. They had 10 goalkickers on the day, with Patrick Martin and Reid Brandt leading the way with three each.
As well as Martin debuting, Heidelberg also got to debut their ex-AFL signing in Brayden Sier, who kicked two goals.
The Roos got to debut Coburg-listed defender Trent Warren last weekend as well as Hume Hurley. Luke Joyce and Charles Smythe also came back into the side after they returned from Banyule.
Anzac Day 2021 was the last time these two met and despite trailing at the first three breaks, Heidelberg scored 38 points to eight in the final term to complete a 26-point victory.
Both these sides will be on a high after their impressive victories in Round 1 so expect this contest at Macleod’s home to be a potentially close one.
Bill Lawry Oval will host an evening match this weekend which sees Northcote Park and North Heidelberg pinned against each other.
These two will be looking to bounce back following massive losses last weekend, with the Cougars loss the biggest of the two at Montmorency Park.
Despite the huge margin, Northcote Park looked to have kept up with the Magpies for the majority of the match before fading in the last term.
Recruit Matt D’Angelo shone in an enthralling ruck contest with fellow recruit Liam Wale-Buxton whilst the returning Jordan Perry and brother Matt picked up three Coaches MVP Votes each on the day.
North Heidelberg on the other hand went down to rival neighbours Macleod at Shelley Reserve in their first Round 1 loss since 2016.
Without Brent Harvey in the lineup, the Bulldogs were outgunned on the day and finished it stunned as they lost by 40 points.
Brock Chircop, Shane Harvey, Curtis Howden-Crhak and Kierin Jaksic kicked two goals each whilst captain Kyle McDonald (three) and star midfielder Jesse Tardio (one) each picked up Coaches MVP votes.
Last time they met in Round 11 last year, North Heidelberg were given an almighty scare at home. Despite being down for most of the game, the Bulldogs managed to escape with a three-point win after a final quarter comeback which saw them kick six goals to two.
The Cougars will be looking to take it up to the Bulldogs once again this weekend on the home deck under lights.
Whittlesea will face another massive test this weekend when they travel out to J.E. Moore Park to face a red-hot West Preston-Lakeside.
It was a tough loss first for the Eagles last weekend, going down to Greensborough at home by 25 points.
Whilst they were within a reachable distance to pull off an upset for most of the day, the Borough’s fire power proved too strong.
Jarrad Waite starred up forward on debut with three goals whilst captain Xavier Dimasi (four), fellow debutant David Mennen (four) and Blake Watson (four) were among the Coaches MVP vote getters.
The Roosters on the other hand, came away with a massive win at home against fellow premiership contenders Bundoora by 37 points.
Their depth was tested last weekend after four late changes resulted in the reigning premiers playing players who were making their senior debuts with the club. But it was still business as usual for Rob Maiorana’s side, never looking back after quarter time to cruise to victory.
Co-Captain Ahmed Saad was back to his unbelievable best in front of goal, kicking a bag of six while Aidan Tilley, Adam Valeri and debutant Josh Iacobaccio were among the best on the day.
These two met most recently out at the Showgrounds in Round 12 last year, with West Preston-Lakeside comfortably claiming an 11-goal win to record their ninth win of season 2021.
The expectation on Saturday will be that the Roosters prevail again but judging by their Round 1 efforts, Whittlesea will certainly be no pushover.
Greensborough will once again travel this weekend, this time to Ben Frilay Oval to face Hurstbridge.
Greensborough will be confident they can begin yet another campaign with a perfect 2-0 start after defeating Whittlesea last weekend.
Despite winning by 25-points, it could’ve been a much bigger margin had they kicked straight as Greensborough finished with 12 goals and 17 behinds, including 5.12 in the first half.
Ben Pannam, Tom Bell, Zak McCubbin and debutant Harvey Daniher were the leading goalkickers with two goals each, Bell, Mccubbin and Tom Brindley amongst the best players for Saade Ghazi’s side.
Whilst it looked a massive defeat for Hurstbridge in Round 1 when they went down to Heidelberg by 55 points, the Bridges were still competitive on the day, with the half time deficit of 17-points still achievable to make up before being blasted away in the second half.
Ben Beaven was their leading goalkicker on the day with two goals while Tyson Old and new Bridges recruit Ty Franks were among the better players.
The Bridges nearly caused a big upset last time these two sides played in Round 12 last season.
Hurstbridge were in the contest for most of the day, with only 10 points separating the two at the final break. However, a five goal to one final term saw the Borough pull away with a 34-point victory.
Jarrod Tilley’s men will no doubt be looking to provide that same competitiveness for longer this time around against a talented Greensborough outfit.
