Two huge finals clashes are upon us in MC Labour Division 2, with the premiership within anyone’s reach.
Northcote Park vs St Mary’s
Northcote Park takes on St Mary’s on Saturday in a huge Qualifying Final 1 between two of the more dominant sides this season in Division 2.
When these two met each other back in Round 7 at Bill Lawry Oval, the Cougars won by 25 points, with Ricky Fandrich slotting six goals.
Only four weeks ago in Round 15 these two playing each other for top spot, on that day it was Northcote Park who got the job done, walking out of Whatmough Park with a 56 point victory. Michael Amad kicked six that day and Jordan Perry was clinical with 31 disposals, 19 contested possessions and 15 clearances.
But the Cougars went on to lose their next two and St Mary’s were defeated once again in Round 17. Leaving the door open for South Morang who won four in a row from Rounds 15 – 18 and claimed the top spot.
Coming into this one, both teams will want to bring their best, because if they can manage to get this win, South Morang awaits, and that is no easy task.
The Cougars’ home and away season was very impressive, and the individual standout of the year has been Jordan Perry. He played 16 games during the home and away season, averaging 28.6 disposals, 16.9 contested possessions, 9.3 clearances, 127.2 ranking points and 0.8 goals a game.
He was closely followed by brother Matt Perry, who himself averaged 25.7 disposals, 11.4 contested possessions, 5.9 marks and 114.2 ranking points across his 15 games. Those two as a duo are very dangerous and something that St Mary’s need to be very aware of all around the ground.
Northcote Park have the second lowest points against in the competition, finishing the season only giving up 1240 points over all 18 games. Their defence has been very strong this season and will look to put up another strong showing this weekend.
But the Cougars also have good goalkicking options available up forward. Michael Amad kicked 38 goals for the season, brother Leo Amad with 27 himself, and Ricky Fandrich kicked 28 across 14 games, averaging an even two goals a game. That is a trio to watch for on Saturday.
For the ‘Burra, midfielder Ty Kitchell has had a great season averaging 22.6 disposals, 12.5 contested possessions, 6.5 clearances, 100.4 ranking points and 0.8 goals across 15 games. Ruckman Huon Macgibbon has also been very good this season. He has only played 11 games, but has averaged 31.3 hitouts, 15.9 disposals, 10.6 contested possessions and 115.7 ranking points. Those two will look to link up throughout the afternoon.
Wil Ryan and Harry Butterworth have both had great seasons up forward, with 31 and 29 goals each to their names respectively. But unfortunately for the ‘Burra, Harry Butterworth is an out this week, so they will need to fill the gap up forward. Down in defence for St Mary’s, Dom Akeui is having a great season, averaging 3.9 marks, 4.4 one percenters and 6.9 intercept possessions per game, he will be one for Northcote Park forwards to watch out for.
South Morang awaits the winner of this blockbuster final.
Old Paradians vs Whittlesea
Sunday brings us a pulsating Elimination Final between Old Paradians and Whittlesea.
The Raiders have been sitting inside the top 5 for the whole season and consolidated their spot last week after a win over Fitzroy Stars. Contrarily, Whittlesea have spent the back half of the season in the bottom five, but snuck into the finals after winning their last three games, also needing both Macleod and Fitzroy Stars to lose last week. The Raiders actually did the Eagles a massive favour by defeating Fitzroy Stars.
In their two meetings this season, it has been the home side who has won on both occasions. In Round 3, the Eagles got the job done at Whittlesea Showgrounds by 58 points, with Caden Allen slotting six that day. In the return fixture, the Raiders picked up a more close fought win at Garvey Oval in Round 12, picking up a 13 point victory.
For the Raiders, it is ruckman Connor Mcdonald who is one they will look to again this week for winning the ball out of the middle. He is averaging 34.4 hitouts, 25.2 disposals, 19.9 contested possessions, 13.2 clearances and 147.7 ranking points in his 17 games this season.
Captain Kyle O’Sullivan has also found plenty of the ball this season, averaging 26.6 disposals, 13.1 clearances, 5.2 marks and 6.5 clearances across 17 games. He’s been closely accompanied by Mitch Kane who’s averaging 22.9 touches, 11.9 contested possessions and 5.4 tackles throughout 17 games as well. This midfield duo, joined with the likes of Joshua Iacobaccio and Kyle McDonald will want to find plenty of the footy.
Another very strong factor of the Raiders’ season has been their defence. They have the fewest total points allowed in all of MC Labour Division 2. They’ve only given up 1203 points across the season, which averages to 66.83 points a game. They can give a lot of praise to star defender Billy Bedford, he is averaging 22.9 disposals, 6.5 marks, 7.3 rebound 50s, 5.5 intercept possessions, 3.5 one percenters and 2.7 spoils a game across 15 games. Alongside him in defence are the likes of Declan Brunskill and Jack Nicolo, that group will want to stand strong, as they have so far this season.
Whittlesea have hit form at the right time of the season, winning their last three games of the home and away season, including defeating Northcote Park by 53 points in Round 17 and defeating St Mary’s by 15 points last week in Round 18, those wins are nothing to gloss over.
Thomas Falls is having a good year for Whittlesea, he’s averaged 25.0 disposals, 16.3 contested possessions, 7.8 clearances and 104.9 ranking points from 14 games. He has been well accompanied by Bailey Robinson, who has averaged 20.0 disposals, 13.8 contested possessions, 8.3 clearances, 0.9 goals and 100.6 ranking points from all 18 games.
Caden Allen is a big threat for the Eagles up forward, finishing the home and away season in fourth in the MC Labour Division 2 goalkickers tally. He kicked 36 for the season, and as written before, has already kicked one bag this season against the Raiders. He is one that Bedford and company will want to keep a close eye on this weekend.
Two big games to start the finals series in MC Labour Division 2.
