With the opening round of the 2023 MC Labour Division 2 campaign in the books, some fascinating contests await us in Round 2 that will give us a greater look at where teams might sit this year.
With some exciting fixtures to look forward to and the division looking as tight as it did last season, this weekend’s action should provide some entertaining contests.
Having been blown away in their season opener to a rampant Eltham outfit, Panton Hill will be expected to bounce back when host Watsonia at A.E Cracknell Reserve.
The Redbacks will be looking to put in a better a showing, coming off the back of a 50-point loss on Good Friday, but will also feel the result doesn’t truly reflect the work they put in during the pre-season, as Simon Amore’s men plan to make a push for finals this season.
Having bolstered their squad in the off-season, one recruit in particular made a brilliant first impression as 2021 Division 2 best and fairest and former Lower Plenty star Tom Keys was the standout in the side’s loss. Having an influence in the middle and up forward, he will be one to watch again.
Jesse Owens-Draper, Ben Donehue and Sam Parks were also notable contributors and Simon Amore will be hoping they step up again this weekend and lead their side to a win.
Meanwhile Watsonia will come into the fixture full of confidence starting 2023 off with a bang, taking out Lower Plenty by 10 goals at Binnak Park.
Losing their main source of goal scoring hasn’t seemed to have affected the Saints, with new recruit Blake Charles booting four majors in the winning effort.
Harrison Sinclair was also impressive, being named amongst the best players while Kobe and Van Zwienen and Josh Boulton picked up from where they left off in 2022.
Coming off a huge win, George Lattouf will be hoping his side can repeat their efforts this weekend.
Diamond Creek will be in good stead to make it two wins from two when they face Epping at Coventry Oval.
Having fallen just short of a grand final berth last season, early signs are showing that the Creekers will be contending once again.
After trailing in the opening two quarter breaks, before putting their necks in front heading into the final term and eventually running away with the game, the Creekers will be out to put in a more convincing performance this weekend.
Following a terrific season in 2022, Nick Barro picked up from where he left off and had a brilliant day in the ruck while Ryan Pingree was damaging up forward, finishing the day with four majors.
Both would be named amongst the top contributors for the day in the winning effort alongside Billy Bedford was brilliant in defence and put in a good first showing for his new club having come across from Greensborough.
Though Good Friday bore a similar result to last year for Epping, there’s plenty to be encouraged about with the side looking to be a more competitive outfit than in 2022.
Having led at the first change and holding Thomastown goalless in the opening term, an upset looked to be one the cards, though the Blues eventually went down by 75-points.
Another club debutant making their mark early, Matthew Mikic was Epping’s best in the losing effort and was the standout in the side’s loss while Caleb Newport and Daniel Rakhlin were also key contributors.
The Blues will be hopeful the trio can back up their form up again this weekend and will also look to keep their Saturday opposition on their toes after suffering two 100+ point defeats in their meetings last season.
Having come off encouraging wins in their respective season openers, Main Street Recreation Reserve looks set to host a brilliant clash between Thomastown and South Morang.
Having snuck into the finals last season, the Bears got their season off to a more than ideal start, with a big victory over Epping, storming home after a slow start.
Instrumental claiming the four points was Lawrence Lopiccolo and after making the NFNL Team of the Year last year, he looks poised for another huge season.
Having come across from Bundoora, Matthew Morison was brilliant in the backline while Bill Samie was a standout up forward with four majors.
It’s been a great start to the season for new coach Peter Bugden after the club started 0-2 last year, and another win this week will give them the perfect lead in, ahead of a huge clash with 2022 minor premiers Eltham.
But the momentum from last year’s Division 3 premiers is hard to ignore, as South Morang proved they belong in the Division 2 with a convincing victory over St Mary’s in Round 1.
Having been neck and neck with the Burra in the opening half, the Lions pulled away in the second half to run out eventual 47-point winners.
Recruit Lachlan Potter made his mark early, having been impressive for the Saints last season, he looks set for a huge campaign in the backline alongside premiership captain Mathew Robinson and young gun Deacon Kalpakis.
Another recruit in Joshua D’Intinosante was also superb, with his VFL class on show throughout the afternoon.
Having recorded a win over a side who just missed the finals last year, Gary Hall’s men will fancy themselves against another formidable opponent in Thomastown.
Rebuilding following the departure of several of their stars from last season, 2023 looks to be a season of struggle for Lower Plenty. But the Bears will be looking to prove doubters wrong when they face Northcote Park at Montmorency Park South Oval.
Having started their season losing to Watsonia last year, Lower Plenty would commence 2023 the same, though it wouldn’t be as close of a match, going down by 60 points last Saturday.
The positives from the defeat came through the efforts of co-captains Joshua Turner and Jordan Sacco, as well as new recruit Riley Alexander and debutant Felix Bell.
With a heavy reliance on the younger players of the squad this year, Phil Plunkett will be hoping their transition into senior football will reap benefits long-term.
They’ll face Northcote Park this week whose path back to the top flight hit an early roadblock, losing the opening game of their campaign to Diamond Creek having been overran in the second half.
2022 Cougars best and fairest winner Daniel Tallariti was the standout for his side and will no doubt be relied upon to help guide the side back up to Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1.
Damon Marcon was also solid, having made the move across from Epping, with Alexander Boyse also impressing.
This will be the first meeting between the two sides in Division 2, having last faced off in the top flight in Round 13, 2019 when an inaccurate Bears side fell 10 points short to the Cougars at Bill Lawry Oval.
Neutrals will be hoping for a competitive match as both teams look to gain their first win of the 2023 season.
Eltham will be keen to continue the scintillating form that saw them record a solid Round 1 victory a fortnight ago, when they travel to Whatmough Park to face St Mary’s.
As they did last year, the Panthers have opened the season in dominant fashion, with their 50-point win over Panton Hill on Good Friday coming thanks to the work of players both new and old.
Recruits Jesse Donaldson and Tom Goodwin were outstanding alongside debutant Colm Culligan, meanwhile the work of David Evans, Daniel Horsfield and Daniel Owen shone again to help first-time Eltham coach Tim Bongetti register his inaugural victory at the club.
The Panthers will be hoping for a similar performance away from home this Saturday, as they look to make it six wins from six in meetings against the Burra.
After an encouraging 2022 season, St Mary’s will hope to respond to their disappointing defeat to South Morang and put up a more competitive showing this week.
Tane Cotter is on track to repeat the efforts that saw him stand out as one of his side’s best players over the previous two seasons, with a solid display in last week’s loss. Lachlan Read also impressed and will be pivotal in getting his side’s campaign back on track this year.
This will be the Burra’s last game against a top five side from last year until Round 5, meaning it will be crucial for Fabian Carelli’s men to gain some momentum against a strong opposition in the lead up to some winnable games over the next fortnight.
