A top of the table clash highlights another intriguing weekend of MC Labour Division 2 action as the second half of the season commences.
Diamond Creek and Macleod are set to battle it out at Coventry Oval as both sides look to move a game clear of the other.
Both sit on equal points at the pinnacle of the Division 2 table, with the Creekers superior percentage seeing them sit in first place on the table.
Andrew Tranquilli’s men suffered their first loss of the season last weekend, going down to Panton Hill away from home.
The Creekers led by 21 points at three quarter time before a four goal to six behind final term saw them go down by the barest of margins.
Bronson Hill and Andrew White performed exceptionally during the loss, kicking two goals each and being one of nine individual goalkickers.
This result means that the Creekers opposition this Saturday in Macleod will enter the game as the more in form team on record having won their last eight games.
Their last two wins have come by an average of 84 points against Northcote Park at Bill Lawry Oval and Watsonia last weekend at home.
Against the Saints, Coaches MVP Leader Darcy Barden kicked six goals to make it 47 goals for the season while Mackenzie Hogg returned with a bang, collecting the perfect 10 coaches votes.
Nick Lynch’s only loss as Macleod senior men’s coach came against the Creekers in Round 1 at De Winton Park, going down by 41 points despite trailing by eight points at half time.
They’re a different side since then though and will be eager to prove why their the best attacking side of the division against the best defence.
Panton Hill is set to face another massive test at A.E. Cracknell Reserve when it welcomes an in-form St Mary’s outfit.
The Redbacks do enter this week in some good form themselves having caused one of, if not the, upset of the season last weekend against Diamond Creek.
Led by Oliver Parks, who collected the perfect 10 MVP votes, as well as Jake Jewitt and Nicholas Parks, Panton Hill were able to snatch the four points from the Creekers grasp.
Simon Amore’s men are now a game (and percentage) behind fifth-placed Lower Plenty and will be eager to keep pace with them and sixth-placed Northcote Park.
They face another tough task though in St Mary’s who now have the second-longest current winning streak of the Division at four.
Their most recent win against Lower Plenty came by the tune of 105 points, with Jack Cicitta kicking 10 and claiming 10 coaches votes whilst midfield duo Tane Cotter and Rory Hanlon caused havoc.
Jack Bianchin’s side have won their last four encounters against the Redbacks as well as their last two at Saturday’s venue.
In their early season meeting the Burra blew a depleted Redbacks outfit out of the park, kicking 23 goals in a 91-point victory at Whatmough Park.
Both Old Paradians and Northcote Park will be looking to return to the winners list when they meet at the Garvey Oval.
Ben Turner’s team have now lost their last two games pre and post the Kings Birthday Break, including by 33 points last weekend against Thomastown.
Billy Bedford continued his excellent season alongside Sam Files while Lachie Kerr made it seven goals from the last four games in the loss to the Bears.
They now welcome a Northcote Park outfit who’ve now lost their last four games after going down to Whittlesea by nine goals last Saturday.
Damon Marcon and Ben Reddick continued building on some strong recent form in the defeat while the Cougars regained some key names such as Ricky Fandrich and Jordan Perry.
Anthony Palmer’s men claimed the chocolates in their first ever meeting with Old Paradians. Under lights at Bill Lawry Oval, a seven goal to one final term sealed a 10-goal victory for the hosts.
The two Bears of Division 2 in Thomastown and Lower Plenty are set to renew hostilities at Main Street Recreation Reserve.
Thomastown have started to find some form in recent weeks having won two of their last four games against Watsonia at home and Old Paradians last round.
Youseph Dib, Blake Ross and Kyle Green were all exceptional in their win over the Raiders, with Green kicking three goals whilst Dib and Ross claimed eight coaches votes each.
David Folino and Sash Spiroski’s men will sense another opportunity to claim the four points against a Lower side who’ve lost their last two games now.
In their 105-point loss to St Mary’s last round Ciaran Porter continued his solid season in defence alongside Jack Hutchison.
Lower do have the wood over Thomastown in recent history having won their last three games against their fellow Bears.
In their Round 4 meeting Lower kicked 18 goals to seven in the final three quarters to claim a 54-point victory.
Watsonia is set to welcome Whittlesea to Binnak Park, with the Eagles looking to build on some strong recent form.
Garry Ramsay’s men have now won their last two games and sit a game behind the top two sides in Diamond Creek and Macleod.
In their most recent win against Northcote Park, Clancy Bland had his best game of the season alongside Deakin Tennant, with Bland collecting 10 coaches votes.
Angus Smith also continued his terrific start to life at senior level, kicking another four goals having kicked four the round prior.
They travel to Binnak Park to face a Watsonia team that remained at the foot of the Division 2 table after their loss to Macleod last round.
Daniel Annetta and Ethan Lowe fought hard yet again in the loss, with Lowe kicking four goals after kicking seven in their only victory of season 2025 to date against Lower Plenty.
Anthony McGregor’s men took it right up to Whittlesea in their early season meeting at the Whittlesea Showgrounds in Round 2.
Despite trailing by three points at the final break the Saints were unable to finish off strongly, going down by 27 points.
