A huge battle between the Tigers and the Magpies headlines what’s set to be another big slate of matches in Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 this weekend.
Montmorency will need to forget it’s Round 2 loss quickly ahead of an enormous clash with Heidelberg at Warringal Park.
The Magpies were able to turn a slow start into a dominant win over Whittlesea in Round 1 but couldn’t repeat their efforts in a tight tussle with Greensborough last week, going down by 15 points away from home.
Liam Wale-Buxton returned to his best in his first game for the season last week, while following a five-goal effort in the opening round, Patrick Fitzgerald was his side’s only multiple goalkicker with two goals.
Co-captain Sam Binion however has been a constant for the Magpies, polling 15 Coaches MVP votes after some superb performances in midfield.
But their path to return to the winners list this week will be far from easy, as they face a Heidelberg side who haven’t looked to have slowed down following last year’s premiership.
Vin Dattoli’s men produced an impressive 82-point triumph over Whittlesea in Round 2, led by five majors from Tom Sullivan. As expected, midfield trio Tom Schnerring, Brayden Sier and Lachie Wilson starred in the absence of captain Sam Gilmore.
The Tigers have won 18 consecutive games, but their last defeat came at the hands of the Magpies in this Round last year, after Montmorency held on for a thrilling one-point victory.
Montmorency would certainly prove their premiership credentials with a repeat performance, but with their flag being unfurled on Saturday, Heidelberg will no doubt be wanting to produce their best once again.
Not since 2019 have Greensborough started a season 3-0, but they could be well placed to do so this year ahead of their trip to J.E. Moore Park to take on West Preston-Lakeside.
After a heart-breaking end to their Round 1 battle with Hurstbridge, the Roosters overcame a slow start to finish as nine-point victors over Macleod last week.
Luke Giles’ men had nine individual goalkickers for their 11 majors, with Aidan Tilley as well as midfield trio Alex Federico, Max Dreher & Chris Ryall all having starring roles in West Preston-Lakeside’s win.
The Roosters will be hoping to build momentum from that result as following their clash with the Boro on Saturday, they don’t face a top five side from last year until Round 7.
However, they face a Greensborough side who are brimming with confidence after their 15-point triumph over Montmorency last week.
It was a four goal to one third term that helped secure the victory, with Greensborough now looking to make it three wins from three before a massive Round 4 clash with the reigning premiers.
Captain Jack Johnston led from the front in defence, picking up eight coaches votes for a second consecutive week to lead the count. Recruit Jamie Smith is also starting to have an influence up forward as well as in the ruck after snagging four majors in their win against the Magpies.
2022 saw the Roosters and Boro meet three times, with the first meeting being a draw at War Memorial Park before West Preston-Lakeside triumphed in the last two games, which included a terrific performance in the Elimination Final. This is set up to be a brilliant contest.
Two sides looking to bounce back following disappointing losses in Hurstbridge and North Heidelberg will meet at Ben Frilay Oval.
A brilliant first round victory over West Preston-Lakeside couldn’t be backed by the Bridges last week, who were no match for Banyule away from home.
The positives for Joel Cordwell’s side came through the likes of Joel Naylor, who made it seven goals from his first two games with a four-goal performance last week, and Benjamin Beaven who starred on his return to the Bridges senior line up.
They will need to see the same output from their entire 22 this weekend when they host a Bulldogs outfit who are determined to bounce back.
North Heidelberg are 0-2 following home defeats to last year’s grand finalists, the latter being a 54-point loss to Bundoora.
Jesse Tardio was kept quiet but still featured in his side’s best while Majak Daw slotted through four majors in a solid display for the former North Melbourne and Melbourne ruckman.
These two sides have faced each other eight times since meeting in the 2016 Division 2 Grand Final, with North Heidelberg winning on all eight occasions, including 39 and 43-point victories in 2022.
The Bulldogs will hope to keep that streak going to avoid a 0-3 start for the first time since joining the top flight in 2017 while the Bridges will aim to emulate their 2-1 start to last year’s campaign.
Macleod will be desperate to claim their first four points of the season when they host an impressive Banyule team at De Winton Park.
It’s a familiar tale for the Roos, who sit 0-2 for the third time in four seasons after falling to the Roosters at J.E. Moore Park last Saturday.
Despite the loss, Michael Hurley added three goals along with two coaches MVP votes, adding to his two-goal tally on Good Friday, meanwhile Kurt Manuel led the way with another strong outing in midfield.
But the newly promoted Bears have proven they are certainly no easy beats in their first foray into the top flight, particularly after a dominant 42-point victory over Hurstbridge at A.K. Lines Reserve.
Jack Langford’s versatility was on show with a stellar performance in ruck following the absence of Tom Hallebone during the game.
Michael Edwards also starred with three goals in his first game of the season alongside with recruit Kurt Aylett who picked up nine Coaches MVP Award votes.
Another win for Banyule will give them a huge boost before important clashes against the Roosters and the Boro while the Roos will be eager to get their season back on track in front of their home crowd.
Bundoora look likely to record a 3-0 start to the 2023 season as they prepare to battle Whittlesea at Yulong Reserve.
The Bulls looked like a premiership calibre side last weekend, when they kicked 22 goals and just four behinds on their way to a 54-point victory over North Heidelberg.
Despite an injury to Shaun McKernan, the Bulls had contributors all over the park, with Kyle Green kicking five goals and Jackson Bowne having a stellar outing, finishing with the perfect 10 Coaches MVP Award votes.
Whilst there’s been positive glimpses from the Eagles in the opening two rounds, they haven’t managed to string together four quarter performances, and were no match for Heidelberg at home last week.
Despite the 82-point loss, Christian Prestopino was a highlight for the hosts, after he kicked five of his side’s eight goals for the afternoon, the first time he’s kicked more then three majors in his short senior career.
Bundoora have won all four meetings against Whittlesea since the Eagles return to the top flight in 2021 and won by an average of 71 points in both their meetings last year.
Michael Ryan’s side are the highest scoring team in the competition so far while Whittlesea are the lowest, meaning the visiting Eagles will have to produce an extraordinary performance if they’re to claim an upset victory.
