A CAMPAIGN dominated by the competition’s top-four sides concluded with Hurstbridge holding aloft the Division 2 premiership cup for the first time since 2003.
With the unfortunate withdrawal of Reservoir on the eve of the season, the 2016 Division 2 campaign was contested between seven teams, with the bottom-placed side to avoid relegation to Division 3 at season’s end.
Hurstbridge was the early season standout, winning its opening nine games to all but lock-in a top-two place by the midway part of the season – ensuring the Bridges would get a double chance in September for the second year in a row.
As the season progressed, North Heidelberg emerged as Hurstbridge’s biggest challenger for the flag, eventually claiming the minor premiership with one more win than Hurstbridge and three more victories than fellow top-four sides Fitzroy Stars and Diamond Creek.
While little separated the top-four sides during their home and away matches, the gulf between the top-four and the rest of the competition was sizeable, with fifth-placed Thomastown finishing the season five wins behind Diamond Creek in fourth.
Without the threat of relegation, the Bears, Panton Hill and Lalor fought out a three-way battle to avoid the wooden spoon, with the Bloods – last year’s minor premier – eventually finishing the year at the bottom of the ladder.
The finals series proved to be one of the best in recent memory, with the four finals matches decided by an average margin of just 13 points.
Despite fading in its second semi final loss to North Heidelberg, Hurstbridge was able to respond emphatically – firstly grinding out a 22-point win over Diamond Creek in the preliminary final, before overcoming the Bulldogs by 11 points in the premiership decider.
Bridges half back Tyron Loader took out the competition best and fairest award and was in the running for the best on ground medallion on grand final day, with the medal presented to teammate Brayden Shaw – who also won the award in Bundoora’s 2013 grand final win over Montmorency.
Fitzroy Stars forward Daniel Francis took out the leading goal kicker award with 68 goals, finishing narrowly ahead of Shane Harvey and Todd Hughes. Meanwhile, Panton Hill’s Tom Blake was named the Coaches Player of the Year in an exceptionally close count.
Continue below for a season review for each Division 2 team:
HURSTBRIDGE – Premier (14 wins, 5 losses)
In 2014 Hurstbridge won its final three home and away matches to ward off relegation. Fast forward two years and, under the guidance of coaches Rob Dyson and Trevor Frost, the club netted just its third senior premiership in the NFL/DVFL – winning promotion into Division 1 for the first time in over a decade. Determined to atone for a straight-sets exit from the 2015 finals series, the Bridges won their opening nine home and away matches to stand as outright premiership favourites at the midway point of the season. Among the highlights of the nine-game winning streak were a come-from-behind 27-point win over Diamond Creek in Round 5 and a five-goal triumph over the Fitzroy Stars during the Queen’s Birthday weekend, which included eight goals from Brendan Fevola in a guest appearance. Hurstbridge slipped to second on the ladder at the conclusion of the regular season after losing four of its final seven matches, but found confidence in a close second semi final loss to North Heidelberg. The Bridges claimed their first Division 2 finals win in 13 years when they downed Diamond Creek by 22 points in the preliminary final, before leading for much of the day in their 11-point grand final win over the Bulldogs. Tyron Loader became the club’s third competition best and fairest winner after a dominant season off half back. Loader polled 17 votes to win the award ahead of North Heidelberg’s Shane Harvey. Chris Burton was a reliable goal kicker and finished the season with 60 majors, while Tom Simpson continued to shine and was named in the Team of the Year. The 19-year-old, who captained the NFL’s under-19 representative team in its win over the MPNFL in May, overcame a rib injury to play a key role in the grand final win, with his impact profound after half time. Fellow youngsters Riley Reading, Lachlan East and Jay Barbera all made sizeable contributions throughout the year, helping to ease the burden on the likes of Jarrod Tilley and Sean Jellie, who again excelled.
Most times in best: Riley Reading (9)
Leading goal kicker: Chris Burton (60 goals)
Team of the Year representatives: Chris Burton, Tyron Loader, Tom Simpson, Rob Dyson and Trevor Frost (coaches)
NORTH HEIDELBERG – Runner-Up (14 wins, 4 losses)
In its first season back in Division 2, North Heidelberg came within one win of a direct return to the top flight. Unfortunately for Bulldogs’ fans, the club’s third grand final appearance in five years didn’t provide the ultimate success. North looked far from a premiership aspirant early in the season and sat bottom of the ladder at Round 4 after losing by 87 and 48 points in two of its opening three matches. However, an injection of youth helped spark the Bulldogs as they went on to win 13 of their next 14 matches, before falling to an 11-point defeat to Hurstbridge in the grand final. After last year finishing second in the club’s best and fairest in his debut season, Michael Florance went one step better this year to take out the club champion award. The ruckman was one of six Bulldogs named in the Team of the Year. Shane Harvey continued to dazzle and finished with 75 goals, despite spending plenty of time through the midfield. Jesse Tardio and Leigh Gilbert had strong campaigns while Marc Lonergan and Daniel Bramich were exceptional in defence. Perhaps the biggest positive to come out the season was the continued emergence of North Heidelberg’s next wave of stars. Kyle Green and Kyle McDonald both featured in every game in 2016 and were key contributors to North’s grand final charge, while Brody Tardio and Marcus Hill each played 13 games in their first year of regular senior football.
Most times in best: Michael Florance (10)
Leading goal kicker: Shane Harvey (75 goals)
Team of the Year representatives: Daniel Bramich, Michael Florance, Leigh Gilbert, Shane Harvey, Marc Lonergan and Jesse Tardio
DIAMOND CREEK – 3rd (11 wins, 7 losses)
Craig Hayes’ second season as coach of Diamond Creek produced another major spike in performance, with the club returning to finals action for the first time since 2013. After winning only five games in 2014, the Creekers last year improved their tally to seven wins and a draw in Hayes’ first season at the helm. They increased that figure to 10 wins this year, despite playing two fewer home and away games due to the bye being added to the fixture. After a fourth-place finish in the regular season, it proved to be a memorable return to the finals, with a Kane Tenace goal after the final siren giving Diamond Creek a one-point win over the Fitzroy Stars in the first semi final – its first finals triumph since 2011. The Creekers again excelled in defence, conceding the second fewest points of any Division 2 side, after last year ranking No.1 in defence. Hugh Kavanagh and Chris Moloney were both selected in the back line in the Division 2 Team of the Year and were joined in the side by recruit Brad Perry, who had an immediate impact at his new club. With the club’s under-19 side finishing first on the ladder before taking out the flag, Hayes had plenty of young talent to select from, with Diamond Creek’s senior side often composing more than half a dozen teenagers. Jack Prosser booted 30 majors to top the club’s goal kicking in just his second season of senior football, finishing ahead of fellow young forward Rory Kavanagh and Jai Norman, who booted 24 goals despite missing five games in the home and away season. With its seniors, reserves and under-19s all finishing among the top three in their respective competitions, the signs look good for Diamond Creek moving into 2017.
Most times in best: Chris Moloney (11)
Leading goal kicker: Jack Prosser (30 goals)
Team of the Year representatives: Hugh Kavanagh, Chris Moloney and Brad Perry
FITZROY STARS – 4th (10 wins, 7 losses)
A fifth-consecutive finals appearance saw the Fitzroy Stars again come up short in their quest for their first premiership since joining the NFL in 2008. Despite claiming an 87-point win over eventual grand finalist North Heidelberg in their first game under new coach Jason Mifsud, the Stars then endured indifferent form as they lost four of their next five matches. Important wins against Diamond Creek and Thomastown in successive weeks got the Stars back on track as they eventually finished the regular season in third place, taking strong momentum into the finals. Trailing by 29 points at three-quarter-time in their first semi final against Diamond Creek, the Stars mounted a strong fightback to take the lead late in the game, before being beaten on the last kick of the day. Daniel Francis took out the Division 2 leading goal kicker award after booting 68 goals in the regular season, which included a 10-goal haul in a 29-point win over premier Hurstbridge in Round 14. Clinton Benjamin was a superb across the half back line in his first year at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval, while Jai Burns and Keith Morgan were consistent performs during the year. Kain Proctor made a welcome return and showed he is destined to be one of the competition’s leading players in years to come, while fellow youngster Alex Williamson played 15 games and improved as the season went on.
Most times in best: Jai Burns and Keith Morgan (9)
Leading goal kicker: Daniel Francis (71 goals)
Team of the Year representatives: Clinton Benjamin, Daniel Francis, John Hayes and Peter Hood
THOMASTOWN – 5th (5 wins, 11 losses)
Thomastown was unable to emulate its efforts from last year’s impressive return to Division 2, managing just five wins throughout the 2016 season after winning 11 in 2015. Early signs indicated the Bears would be a finals contender after comfortably accounting for Lalor in Round 1, before downing the Fitzroy Stars in a thriller to start the season with successive wins. However, six-straight losses put an end to the Bears’ top-four hopes, with their third win of the year not coming until Round 11. Injuries played a big part in the Bears’ dip in form this year, with only three players playing every match – the fewest of any Division 2 club. James Rizzolio was the club’s best player throughout the season, taking out the best and fairest and named as Thomastown’s sole representative in the Division 2 Team of the Year. Adrian Natoli and Matthew Cupo both offered Rizzolio solid support through midfield, while Josh Beare and James Mercuri were also consistent performers. Jacob Osei-Duro overcame an early-season injury to kick 34 goals in 14 matches, while Nick Horman crossed from Whittlesea early in the season and kicked 19 majors in 12 appearances. After taking Thomastown to the Division 3 premiership in 2014 and winning 18 games over the past two seasons in Division 2, Dean Sinclair handed over the coaching reins to former Oak Park coach Ben Chapman at season’s end.
Most times in best: James Rizzolio (9)
Leading goal kicker: Jacob Osei-Duro (34 goals)
Team of the Year representatives: James Rizzolio
PANTON HILL – 6th (3 wins, 13 losses)
The 2016 season didn’t pan out quite the way Panton Hill had hoped after a successful off-season recruiting drive, which landed a number of key players from Division 1 sides. Injuries to a number of the club’s tall stocks often meant the Redbacks were undersized and outbodied by the competition’s top sides. Tom Blake and Tyler Scarce were the two constants for the club throughout a difficult campaign. In just his third season of senior football, Blake was named the Division 2 Coaches Player of the Year, winning a close count by one vote. He was named at centre half forward in the Team of the Year and was among his side’s best players in 10 matches. Scarce produced another outstanding campaign to be named in the Team of the Year for the third-successive season. Matthew Duckworth and Scott Conte both had a positive impact in their first season at Panton Hill, but ultimately a lack of depth proved the side’s downfall. With his side lacking enough avenues to goal, coach Joffa Byron pulled the boots back on and snared 29 goals in eight matches, including a bag of nine against North Heidelberg. The best of Panton Hill’s three wins came against the Fitzroy Stars at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval in Round 5. Facing a 29-point deficit at the last break, the Redbacks rallied with seven of the last eight goals to record a stirring five-point win – their first of the season.
Most times in best: Tom Blake and Tyler Scarce (10)
Leading goal kicker: Joffa Byron (29 goals)
Team of the Year representatives: Tom Blake and Tyler Scarce
LALOR – 7th (3 wins, 13 losses)
If a week is a long time in football, than the past year would have felt like an eternity for Lalor. Most had the Bloods locked in for another top-four finish in 2016 after claiming the minor premiership last year and being beaten in an epic grand final against Whittlesea by three points. However, the pre-season predictions proved to be far off the mark, with the Bloods taking out the Division 2 wooden spoon after managing only three wins for the season. After winning two of its first five games, Lalor went on to lose nine consecutive matches between rounds 7-17, before triumphing over Thomastown in Round 18. An 80-point loss to premier Hurstbridge in Round 19 ensured the Bloods finished in bottom spot, percentage behind Panton Hill. A wretched run with injury and massive drop-off in defence contributed to Lalor’s long slide down the ladder. The Bloods conceded an average of 110 points a game – the most in the competition and an average of 27 points per game more than last year. Shane Jacobs, Jarrod King and Todd Hughes each tried their hardest to lift Lalor, finishing among the top three in the club’s best and fairest and all named in the Team of the Year. Hughes still managed 63 majors for the season, contributing 38 per cent of the team’s tally. Jackson Freebairn continued to develop and played every game, also representing the NFL in the under-19 interleague game against the MPNFL. Jake Langborne was another source for optimism, also playing every match after managing nine during last year’s grand final campaign.
Most times in best: Todd Hughes, Shane Jacobs and Jarrod King (11)
Leading goal kicker: Todd Hughes (63 goals)
Team of the Year representatives: Todd Hughes, Shane Jacobs and Jarrod King
DIVISION 2 – 2016 REVIEW
Finals Results
First Semi Final: Fitzroy Stars 13.6 (84) def by Diamond Creek 13.7 (85)
Second Semi Final: North Heidelberg 14.10 (94) def Hurstbridge 11.11 (77)
Preliminary Final: Hurstbridge 11.9 (75) def Diamond Creek 8.5 (53)
Grand Final: North Heidelberg 11.6 (72) def by Hurstbridge 12.11 (83)
Best and Fairest
1st – Tyron Loader (Hurstbridge) – 17 votes
2nd – Shane Harvey (North Heidelberg) – 15 votes
3rd – Shane Jacobs (Lalor) – 14 votes
4th – Brad Perry (Diamond Creek) – 13 votes
5th – Tom Blake (Panton Hill) – 11 votes
Leading Goal Kicker (home and away only)
1st – Daniel Francis (Fitzroy Stars) – 68 goals
2nd – Shane Harvey (North Heidelberg) – 66 goals
3rd – Todd Hughes (Lalor) – 63 goals
4th – Chris Burton (Hurstbridge) – 53 goals
5th – Jacob Osei-Duro (Thomastown) – 34 goals
5th – Tom Simpson (Hurstbridge) – 34 goals
Coaches Player of the Year
1st – Tom Blake (Panton Hill) – 17 votes
2nd – Michael Florance (North Heidelberg) – 16 votes
2nd – Shane Jacobs (Lalor) – 16 votes
2nd – James Rizzolio (Thomastown) – 16 votes
5th – Clinton Benjamin (Fitzroy Stars) – 15 votes
