The last round of the season in Division 2 is upon us and there are so many different scenarios and ladder movements possible.
Old Paradians vs Fitzroy Stars
The NFNL’s Match of the Day sees Old Paradians welcome Fitzroy Stars to Garvey Oval in a winner takes all match up.
The equation is simple for both teams, win and you’re in. If the Raiders win, they would lock up fourth spot, if the Stars win, they would overtake the Raiders and either finish fourth or fifth, depending on Macleod’s result.
A loss for Old Paradians would see them banking on other results to keep them in fifth spot, they would need Macleod to lose, and not have Whittlesea win and overtake them on percentage, the Raiders currently have a 6.94 percent lead on the Eagles. For the Stars, if they lose, their season is over.
In the Raiders’ narrow three-point loss last week to Macleod, midfielder Joshua Iacobaccio picked up 32 disposals, 14 contested possessions and seven rebound 50s. Connor McDonald continued on with his fine season, notching up 24 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 27 hitouts, 14 clearances and 163 ranking points.
Those two will be looking out for big games once again in this crucial clash. Skipper Kyle O’Sullivan is returning this week, which is a huge boost for the home side, they will look to bring home a big win and grab their first finals berth in Division 2, since they got promoted into Division 2 after the 2024 season, but couldn’t make the finals last season.
For the Stars last week, it was captain Kain Proctor who led from the front once again, with 34 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 10 clearances and 150 ranking points. Patrick Farrant had 27 disposals with 13 contested possessions. Mingara Clark and Matthew Williamson both kicked four goals for the Stars, with Kanoa Mcgrath helping out with three as well.
Watch out for Proctor in the middle of the ground, along with Farrant and Thomas Clarke. The Stars are looking to make the finals straight off the back of their promotion into Division 2 at the end of last season.
The last time these two met, it was Old Paradians got a close fought seven-point win at Sir Doug Nicholls Reserve.
South Morang vs Macleod
South Morang welcome Macleod to Mill Park Lakes in a crucial matchup for minor premiership and finals stakes.
South Morang vs Macleod
South Morang just need to avoid losing and they seal the MC Labour Division 2 minor premiership, get themselves a week off, and are into Qualifying Final 2, giving them a chance to go straight into the Grand Final. The only thing in their way from top spot is an in form Macleod side. They’ve won three in a row, and in their last seven total, they have a record of five wins, one draw and one loss, so they have come to play at the right time of year.
But Macleod’s finals chances still lie in the balance, if they can topple the ladder leading Lions, then they seal themselves a spot in the five, whether it be fourth or fifth. But if they lost, they would require both Fitzroy Stars and Whittlesea to lose. It is easy to say that they will want to bring everything this week.
Nathan Stefanile is an out this week for the Lions, he has been instrumental in the ruck this season, averaging 14.9 contested possessions for the season. South Morang had a 35-point win last week, Tyson Gresham was huge, his numbers read 35 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 9 inside 50s, 10 tackles, 9 clearances, one goal and 204 ranking points. Davin Cameron also had a strong afternoon with 25 disposals, 12 contested and eight clearances. They will both want to have big games for the Lions this week.
The Roos welcome back Mackenzie Hogg, who hasn’t played since Round 13. He is averaging 22 disposals and 2.4 goals a game this season, so Macleod will love to have him back in this huge match.
In their important win against Old Paradians last week, Kobe Brandt had 23 disposals, ten contested possessions and eight inside 50s. Co-captain Darcy Barden was held to just the one goal, his season tally is 63 and he is the clear leader for goalkicking in Division 2, so he will want to kick a big total this week, as a side the ‘Roos have the best percentage and the most points for in all of Division 2, so the scoring power is definitely there.
When these two last met in Round 8, South Morang got the win in a high scoring affair 135-103.
St Mary’s vs Whittlesea
St Mary’s host Whittlesea at Whatmough Park in what should be a hotly contested affair with both teams needing a win and other results going their way.
For the ‘Burra, they currently sit in third and cannot fall outside the top three, but there is still slim chance at first place, if both South Morang and Northcote Park lose, and St Mary’s can make up about three percent on both of them.
The Eagles require a win, and then both Macleod and Fitzroy Stars to lose, that scenario would see them jump into fifth. If the Eagles win, Macleod loses, and the Stars defeat Old Paradians, the Eagles would need to make up just under seven percent on the Raiders to leapfrog them. The first scenario is definitely the easier path for Whittlesea.
In St Mary’s loss last week to Fitzroy Stars, it was Joshua Carelli (29 disposals, 9 contested possessions and a goal) and Will Dean (25 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 12 clearances and a goal) that were the pick of the bunch in the midfield. Huon Macgibbon had 54 hitouts, 16 disposals, 9 contested possessions, 11 one percenters, one goal and 152 ranking points, so that midfield trio will be one to watch for on the weekend. The omission of Dominic Akuei will hurt and leave a big gap to fill in their key defensive posts.
The Eagles had a big season on the line win over Northcote Park by 53 points last week. Bailey Robinson (24 disposals, 15 contested possessions, nine clearances and two goals) and co-captain Mitchell Andrews (24 disposals, eight contested possessions and six marks) were the best in the middle for Whittlesea, so they will want to be in good touch as well this week. Caden Allen is also having a great season, he kicked another two last week, taking his total to 35. The will be without the services of ruck Khaled El-Leissy however, which is a blow.
In Round 8, St Mary’s won by five points at Whittlesea Showgrounds.
Northcote Park vs Thomastown
The Cougars host the Bears in a match where ladder position is irrespective of form.
The two teams have opposing win-loss records, the Cougars are 11 wins and six losses, and the Bears are six wins and 11 losses. But the Cougars have fallen into a small rough patch of form right now. Last week they lost to Whittlesea by 53 points, and the week prior went down to Old Paradians by 73 points.
They are still well and truly in the hunt for the minor premiership as well. If they win and South Morang fall to Macleod, then Northcote Park would leapfrog the Lions into first as they currently have 0.61 more percent, so the correct results would be enough for the Cougars to stay ahead on percentage. They would still need to watch out for St Mary’s result though, because the ‘Burra are 3.11 percent behind the Cougars, so if they get a big win against Whittlesea, they will still be at play as well.
In the Cougars’ loss last week, Jordan Perry (35 disposals, 15 contested possessions and six clearances) and Matt Perry (32 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 10 marks and seven clearances) both got plenty of the ball last week and will need to shine again this week. Michael Amad has kicked 37 goals for the season and currently sits in third in the goalkickers tally in Division 2, so he will want to slot a few more before the finals.
Whereas for the Bears, they have won four out of their last five and have done very well to guarantee their survival in Division 2. If they win and Lower Plenty lose, they will find themselves finishing the season in eighth.
It was usual operators last week for Thomastown in their 19 point victory over Lower Plenty. Zain Yamak (33 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 12 rebound 50s and a goal), Lawrence Lo Piccolo (31 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 10 clearances and a whopping 14 tackles) and Youseph Dib (24 disposals, 16 contested possessions and 11 clearances) were all massive in the win. They are without Dib this week though, so Yamak and Lo Piccolo will want to pick up plenty of the ball in their last match of the season.
The Cougars won their last battle by 22 points.
Lower Plenty vs Panton Hill
Lastly, Lower Plenty welcomes Panton Hill to Lower Plenty Oval in a chance for either side to end the season on a high.
Lower Plenty’s second half of the season has been very disappointing, losing their last seven games in a row after they found themselves seven wins and three losses after Round 10.
Jack Hutchison had a big game in defence last week picking up 27 disposals and 17 rebound 50s. Flynn Davis kicked two, and Jasper Collins had 17 disposals with 10 contested possessions in the middle.
A shining light this season has been Jack Chubb who has 40 goals for the season and is averaging just under three goals a game. He will be looking to kick a few more this week, but he will again be without another one of the Bears’ inside 50 threats in Jack Madgen.
The Redbacks’ fate was sealed last week, so now they have some pride to play for. A win this week would give them a good end to a tough season. But they will go into next season with confidence that they can bounce back up with promotion.
Last week Riley Livingstone (22 disposals, six inside 50s and six rebound 50s) and Jason Pannam (21 disposals, 16 contested possessions, eight tackles, ten clearances and a goal) found the most of the ball for the Redbacks, and will be hoping to bring a similar stature this week.
Lower Plenty won by 15 points earlier in the season.
It’s all to play for in the last round of the season.
