Some huge matches are in store in this week’s MC Labour Division 2 competition, highlighted by an intriguing second vs third battle.
It’s a massive game for St Mary’s this weekend as they welcome Whittlesea to Whatmough Park.
After winning their opening two games against Watsonia and Panton Hill, the Burra were unable to match it with Macleod for all four quarters last week.
Despite the loss they were still competitive throughout the opening three terms, even leading at three quarter time by one goal.
Rory Hanlon and Tane Cotter performed exceptionally in patches while Huon MacGibbon had a strong outing, providing plenty of presence in the ruck and across the ground.
Those three will need to be at their best this weekend against a Whittlesea side who now sit a game clear of the Burra in second.
Whilst they’re undefeated heading into this weekend, it hasn’t been easy for the Eagles to claim the four points in their two most recent matchups against Watsonia and Lower Plenty.
Lucas Hobbs has been exceptional in those two games, kicking six goals and claiming 16 Coaches MVP Award votes in that period, including scoring the perfect 10 last round against the Bears.
Thomas Falls has also provided him with solid support, claiming seven Coaches MVP Award votes and being named in the best on both occasions.
The Eagles won on both occasions against St Mary’s last year, with 13 points separating them in their most recent encounter at Saturday’s venue.
Whittlesea are yet to lose to the Burra since they first met in 2019, with their wins coming by an average margin of just under 32 points.
The Pat Cronin Foundation Round marquee game is set to take place between Lower Plenty and Thomastown at Montmorency Park South Oval this weekend.
Both sides will be eager to get back on the winners list, with Thomastown currently winless and Lower Plenty’s only victory coming in Round 1 against Northcote Park.
Lower’s last two matches have come against back-to-back grand finalists Diamond Creek and 2024 preliminary finalist Whittlesea on the road.
After losing to the Creekers by 104 points in Round 2 they put in a much stronger effort against Whittlesea but fell short by 34 points at the Showgrounds.
Two of Lower’s newest faces in Ben Smith and Mitch Brownhill had an impact on the day, with Brownhill playing his first game in new colours.
While they haven’t defeated the Eagles and Creekers (also South Morang) in recent years, they have won 11 of their 14 meetings against sides outside of those three.
They face a Thomastown outfit who have now lost their last four matches dating back to their elimination final loss to Lower at Epping Recreation Reserve in 2024.
After initially dropping games to Panton Hill and Macleod at home, David Folino and Sash Spiroski’s men went down on ANZAC Day to Northcote Park by a respectable 20 points at Bill Lawry Oval.
Sean Culhane and Blake Ross both performed admirably in the loss while James Lucente was their only major goalkicker with two.
Thomastown haven’t had the greatest record against their fellow Bears in recent history having lost in their three matchups in 2024 and in seven of their last 11 meetings dating back to 2018.
Two finals aspirants in Panton Hill and Northcote Park will look to move to 3-1 when they do battle at A.E. Cracknell Reserve.
After an initial win against Thomastown, the Redbacks picked up the points for the second time in 2025 last weekend against Watsonia.
Riley Livingstone, Todd Johnston and Oliver Parks all played key roles in their victory against the Saints while Thomas Blake kicked three goals.
They’ll face a Northcote Park side who’s start to the season has been equally strong with victories over Old Paradians and Thomastown respectively.
Both wins came at home for Anthoy Palmer’s men, who would be pleased to see an increasing number of contributors for his side in 2025.
Noah Langborne stepped up to the plate last Friday, kicking two goals and claiming the perfect 10 Coaches MVP Award votes, while Michael Amad and Benjamin Augustus also had handy contributions.
Both sides split the ledger in their meetings last year, with Panton Hill winning by five points at Saturday’s venue in Round 2 and Northcote Park victorious by 61 points nine rounds later at Bill Lawry Oval.
They’ve been evenly matched since the Cougars return to Division 2 in 2023, splitting their four meetings dating back to that year.
Old Paradians is set for another massive test this weekend when they welcome Macleod to Garvey Oval.
It’s been a tough start to life in a new division for the Raiders, with three losses so far when coming up against Whittlesea, Northcote Park and Diamond Creek.
Despite those losses, key players such as Billy Bedford and Joel Tolli continue to put in strong performances week after week.
They return home for the first time since their Round 1 defeat to the Eagles, but face just as tough of an opponent this weekend in Macleod.
Nick Lynch’s men have now won two on the trot following triumphs against Thomastown and St Mary’s respectively after an opening round defeat to Diamond Creek.
Coaches MVP Award leader Darcy Barden also extended his lead as the Division’s leading goalkicker with another five-goal outing against the Burra. Kurt Manuel also played a key role in midfield in the 35-point win last Saturday and is putting together a handy campaign.
They’ll go in confident against Old Paradians this Saturday, a team they’ll meet for the first time at the senior men’s level.
Diamond Creek will be looking to continue its superb start to 2025 when they battle with Watsonia at Binnak Park this weekend.
Andrew Trainquili’s men currently sit on top of the Division 2 ladder with a percentage of just under 350, averaging 117 points per game and just under 34 points against per game across the first three rounds.
A wide spread of contributors have assisted the Creekers in getting to a strong position thus far, with Brodie Watson, Ewan Macpherson and Nathan Searl stepping up in its 106-point win over Old Paradians last weekend.
Diamond Creek will now go on the road for the second time this season to face a Watsonia side who are yet to register a win so far in 2025.
Anthony McGregor’s side has been competitive in their last two games against Whittlesea and Panton Hill away from home but were unable to claim the four points in either of those games.
Daniel Annetta continued his strong start to the season in the defeat to Panton Hill while Ethan Lowe kicked three goals to add to his four majors in Round 2 against Whittlesea.
Watsonia went down by 42 and 52 points respectively in their two meetings with Diamond Creek last year and are yet to claim any points against the Creekers since returning to Division 2 in 2017.
