Round 5 is completed and the race for a top five finish on the ladder looks like it’ll be as close as ever in MC Labour Division 2.
Northcote Park 12.14-86 got back to their winning ways when they hosted Lower Plenty 6.5-41, claiming a 45-point win and boosting their percentage in the process.
It was a dominant performance from the Cougars, leading the contest from start to finish. They controlled the contest through their outside game, accumulating 76 uncontested marks and limiting the Bears to just 25.
Leo Amad was the most potent in front of goal for the winning side, kicking three goals to take his season tally to 14. James McArdle (23 disp, one goal) and Damon Marcon also featured in the best for Anthony Palmer’s side.
Joel Leslie (12 disp, seven tackles) and Mac Littlefield (17 disp, eight contested possessions) put in strong performances for the visiting side, while Jack Chubb continued his strong season with three goals to stay on top of the Division 2 goal kicking table.
Fitzroy Stars 10.15-75 took down last year’s Division 2 runner up Macleod 11.4-70 by five points at Sir Doug Nicholls Reserve.
The result sees the Stars beat both of last years Preliminary finalists in consecutive weeks, highlighting that they can be a genuine contender this season.
The contest was even all day, with the biggest lead at any break being only eleven points which Fitzroy held heading into the final term. The Kangaroos managed to erase that deficit, kicking the first three majors to gain an eight-point advantage 16 minutes into the last quarter.
The momentum would be short lived, with the Stars finding a near immediate response thanks to Neville Jetta lowering his eyes and finding the leading Elijah Taylor, who had no issues with converting from just inside the arc directly in front. Kain Proctor sealed the deal a short time later, winning a holding the ball free kick close to goal and kicking truly.
South Morang 11.14-80 recorded their fourth consecutive win for the season, defeating Thomastown 8.7-55 at Main St Reserve.
A dominant third term set the match up for Matthew Penn’s side. Improved accuracy in front of goal was the catalyst to get some separation on the scoreboard which was all square at half time. The Lions had two goals and eight behinds in the first half, but turned it around with five goals from nine shots during the premiership quarter, resulting in a 32-point lead at the final break.
The Bears didn’t go down without a fight though, managing the first three goals of the quarter via Sean Culhane kicking two in succession and Billy Samie to bring the margin back to just 16 points after eleven minutes.
The Lions quickly steadied to put the result beyond doubt however, thanks to two goals in two minutes via Noah Cumberland and Ethan Lowe. The sides traded goals late, but it was ultimately South Morang who came away with a 25-point win.
A four-goal final term was enough for Old Paradians 9.15-69 to secure a 25-point win over St Mary’s 6.8-44 at Garvey Oval.
An inaccurate Raiders outfit found themselves trailing by one point at three-quarter-time, but the combination of a strong defensive performance and better accuracy in front of the big sticks was enough to secure their fourth win of the season.
Connor McDonald stood tall for victorious side in the last quarter, accumulating 12 disposals when the game was up for grabs. Michael Boundy was well held for the day, but he too was important late in the piece slotting two goals to seal the deal.
Joshua Carelli (29 disp, six tackles) and Tane Cotter (20 disp, nine tackles) were the standout performers for the Burra while Jack Cicitta was the sole multiple goalkicker for the visiting side, managing two majors.
Whittlesea 9.15-65 got themselves back on the winners list in their visit to AE Cracknell Reserve against Panton Hill 8.13-61.
Both sides had their troubles in front of goals, but the Redbacks would be kicking themselves after 1.9 to show for their efforts in the first half. The Eagles were only slightly better, managing 3.9 and headed to the main break 12 points in front.
Both sides straightened up after half time. The Redbacks kicked five goals and two behinds during the third term, while the Eagles found four goals and one behind, resulting in a five-point lead to Whittlesea at the final break.
The goal kicking yips persisted in the final term, but Whittlesea managed to hang on for a thrilling eight-point win.
The defensive pressure of both teams was on display across the afternoon, with six separate players recording ten or more tackles for the match. The nature of the game saw both ruckman stuff the stat sheet, with Panton Hill big man Nicholas Parks (50 hit outs, 12 contested possessions) and Whittlesea’s Khaled El-Leissy (18 disp, 45 hit outs) putting in monster efforts for their sides.
Caden Allen (four goals) and Zane Anderson (19 disp, 15 tackles) led the way for the Eagles. Redbacks Co-Captain Sam Parks (31 disp, eleven tackles) and Stefan Klepp (24 disp, eleven tackles) put in strong performances for the host.
It was a gallant effort from Michael Farrelly’s men, and a win won’t be far away if they continue to show the spirit they have over the last fortnight.
