We are set for a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 MC Labour Division 2 home and away campaign, with the results all five games in Round 18 having consequences on the final ladder placings.
A repeat of the dramatic final match of the 2022 home and away campaign between Thomastown and St Mary’s is on the cards, as the two sides meet to decide their fate at Main Street Recreation Reserve.
In that incredible contest two years ago, the Bears, who had won four of their last five games coming into the clash, prevailed by 19 points and surged into the top five at the expense of the Burra.
The same result can occur if Thomastown win this Saturday, although roughly a 27-point victory or greater will likely be required if they are to overtake St Mary’s on percentage. Of course, the margin of victory will not matter if Lower Plenty go down to Panton Hill, but the four points is the minimum requirement if the Bears want to feature in the post-season.
David Folino and Sashe Spiroski’s men had to hold on late to defeat the Redbacks last week away from home to be in this position ahead of Saturday.
Inspired performances from Youseph Dib, Anthony Capeci, Lawrence Lo Piccolo and James Lucente helped Thomastown get over the line, with the Bears now on a win streak for the first time since Round’s 7-9 earlier this year.
The Burra also got back on the winners list last week, with a much needed 15-point triumph over Laurimar after coming from five points down at three quarter time.
The return of Jack Bianchin and Rory Hanlon proved vital in gaining the four points, while Jack Cicitta booted a season-high goals to be the team’s most influential player for the afternoon alongside Nicholas Gedge.
Fabian Carelli’s men went down Thomastown by 12 points at Whatmough Park back in Round 9, but with players back at their disposal and with the stakes of this clash at an all-time high, expect St Mary’s to fancy their chances.
Lower Plenty simply must win to avoid the possibility of dropping out of the top five by season’s end as they host Panton Hill at Montmorency Park South Oval.
With Thomastown and St Mary’s battling it out on the same day, the Bears can finish as high as fourth place with a triumph, but if they go down to the Redbacks, they will need to rely on a Burra victory to return to the finals after narrowly avoiding relegation from Division 2 only 12 months ago.
Travis Stephens’ side broke away from bottom placed Watsonia after half time last week, kicking eight goals to three in the final two terms to prevail by 38 points.
Felix Bell and Ciaran Porter were the stars of the show, but the team also saw great contributions from Nathan Raphael and Brixton Timewell.
Lower Plenty have not lost to a side below them since Round 12 but were soundly beaten by Panton Hill to the tune of 62 points back in Round 9, an effort they will need to avoid repeating this weekend.
Whilst Panton Hill suffered a heartbreaking loss to Thomastown last Saturday, other results proved that even if they had have won in that contest, a spot in the final five was mathematically impossible.
But Simon Amore’s men can still cause an upset to end their Saturday opponent’s plans of a finals appearance, and it could be led by former Lower Plenty star Thomas Blake, who in the last fortnight has been in his side’s best on both occasions and booted five majors, including four goals in the loss to Thomastown.
The last time these sides met at this venue saw Panton Hill hand the Bears their first win of the 2023 season in a four-point result, which helped them survive Division 2.
The side who will go to Division 3 next year will be decided in Laurimar and Watsonia’s battle at Laurimar Reserve, with just two points separating both teams.
Laurimar do come into this clash off a defeat to St Mary’s, but had won their previous three games and by being the side two points clear of the bottom, they look favoured to prevail in this contest.
The Power have been in better form than their opponents regardless of the loss in Round 17, and it’s been headlined by Joel Lawson, who has now gone 11 consecutive matches with at least a goal and has also been named in his side’s best in four of his previous five games.
Jimmy Atkins’ men have still conceded the most points in the competition however, and that’s despite Ethan Bateman’s outstanding form in the defensive end. He looks to have a big job on competition leading goalkicker Ethan Lowe this weekend.
Lowe himself comes into this match off a goalless game against Lower Plenty, only the second time he has done so in 2024.
He did however kick five in his last meeting with Laurimar and will need to repeat the dose at a minimum if his side are to end a seven-game losing streak and remain in the competition next year.
The Saints have shown some promising signs throughout the last two months but have ultimately proven no match against their opponents in most games this year.
If they are to win, it will need to start with another stirring performance from their captain Joshua Boulton who has been named in his side’s best in five consecutive games and has welcomed a move up forward in recent games, kicking three goals in the last fortnight.
With the fight for survival on the line, expect some great football to be played between these two teams.
South Morang and Diamond Creek will get well acquainted with each other at Mill Park Lakes Reserve ahead of a likely qualifying final meeting the following week.
It’s not often that a second versus third contest isn’t deemed as the most intriguing game of the round, but with both sides expected to not move positions by season’s end, it presents as an opportunity for each team to head into finals in great form.
The only move that can be made is if the Creekers win and Whittlesea go down to Northcote Park, in which Andrew Tranquilli’s men will earn a second consecutive minor premiership.
But with that fate out of the team’s hands, it will be interesting to see how much is showcased by the two sides ahead of their potential finals contest.
Diamond Creek are on an eight-game winning streak and are coming into this clash after ending the Eagles’ unbeaten run last week, in a low scoring nine-point victory.
It was another masterful display on the defensive end, as they kept a side to 40 points or less for the third straight week.
Nicholas Barro’s excellent second half of the 2024 campaign continued in the victory over the ladder leaders, and in his last nine games, he has been named in his side’s best on six occasions.
If he does match up against South Morang ruck Nathan Stefanile, it will loom as a key factor in deciding the outcome of this match.
The Lions got back to their best after an 11-goal to six second half saw them take care of Northcote Park by 39 points.
A favourite for the league best and fairest in Tye Hall slammed home seven goals in another best on ground performance, and if he earns a fifth straight mention in South Morang’s best this weekend, he will be in the hottest of form come finals time.
Northcote Park will conclude their 2024 campaign by hosting top of the ladder Whittlesea at Bill Lawry Oval.
Although the Cougars went down to the Lions in Round 17, their fate has been sealed with a round remaining, as they sit six points ahead of the relegation zone, but 10 points away from the top five.
What this does create for Anthony Palmer’s men is an opportunity to finish their 2024 campaign on a high and make it six wins in their previous nine matches after going down in their first nine games of the season.
The club has already announced the re-appointments of Palmer as coach, as well as the signings of captain Matthew Perry and star players Jordan Perry and Daniel Tallariti for season 2025, so they will hope to create more momentum this week to take into the following year.
Whittlesea will be eager to get back on the winners list and secure the minor premiership ahead of their return to the finals series.
They were just kept to six goals in their loss to Diamond Creek last Saturday, and only one major in the second half in an uncharacteristic display.
The loss didn’t stop Mitchell Andrews and Xavier Dimasi from keeping up their excellent form of late, while Riley Carter has now been named in his side’s best in three of his last four matches.
Garry Ramsay’s men scored an impressive 59-point triumph over Northcote Park back in Round 9, but this will be the club’s first trip to Bill Lawry Oval since Round 15, 2022, when a 31-point win helped the Eagles remain in Division 1 for another season.
