The 2024 MC Labour Division 2 Grand Final is set to be a magnificent contest at Preston City Oval, as South Morang look to make history with a second flag in three years and Diamond Creek aim to redeem themselves from their shortcomings 12 months prior.
It’s been a finals series to remember so far for the Lions, who have defeated the top two sides in the previous three weeks by a combined total of 11 points to reach Saturday’s decider.
Only two years ago was the club coming off a Division 3 premiership, and following a semi-final appearance last season, South Morang have established themselves as a true premiership contender in the last 12 months.
Their run bares various similarities to Banyule, who prevailed in the 2017 Division 3 decider, before making a Division 2 preliminary final the following year, and then a Grand Final appearance in 2019.
South Morang’s star players have come from all areas of the ground this season, but there has been few better in the entire competition than Tye Hall.
His continuous ability to find the football in stoppages, while also being able to hit the scoreboard, has seen him been a real difference maker for this side.
Speaking of goals, Joshua D’Intinosante and Joshua Lansfield have been exceptional in the club’s two finals matches so far and will be key players in their side’s premiership chances again on Saturday.
A star at VFL level in 2024, D’Intinosante has kicked 22 goals in his five games for the Lions this year. He kicked five majors in a best on ground performance against the Creekers in the qualifying final and three majors in the second semi.
Lansfield meanwhile has elevated his status as a match winner in the post-season, kicking the winning goal in extra time over Diamond Creek three weeks ago, while booting five in their triumph over Whittlesea the following Saturday.
Having combined for 15 goals in the Lions’ finals outings this year, they’ll need to stretch the Creekers’ impressive defensive again if they’re to come away with a premiership.
Gary Hall has his own talented defenders he can rely upon to shut down a Diamond Creek side who have won their previous two matches by 70 points or greater.
The unit will be led by Coburg VFL listed star Deacon Kalpakis, as well as brother Mitchell, who has been a superb interceptor again in 2024. The pair capability of shutting down their opposition’s firepower up forward will also go a long way towards their chances of a flag.
South Morang have not been in the top flight since the DVFL’s last year playing as one division in 1980, and could create some incredible history if they can go all the way this weekend.
But Diamond Creek are coming into this game with a vengeance, having fallen short in last year’s Grand Final despite a 17-1 home and away record. Their massive preliminary final triumph over top of the ladder Whittlesea would no doubt had sent a message to the Lions that they mean business.
Their two most recent finals wins have seen them kick 80 points or more in consecutive weeks for the first time since May, meanwhile they have kicked more goals than points in their previous four encounters.
In their 93-point preliminary final victory over Whittlesea last weekend, they had six players kick multiple goals, the most they’ve ever had in a game in 2024.
It includes Toim Baird and Andrew Elward who have booted eight and six goals (from two games) respectively in the finals campaign, while goalkicking midfielders Tyler Barnes and Jacob Booth have also proven they can hurt teams on the scoreboard.
Although the Creekers’ forward line has impressed in recent weeks, it hasn’t come close to their incredible defensive ability, which has played a large part in the club reaching the final match of the season.
In their two recent finals, they have conceded just 46 total points and only five goals against, an extraordinary effort to go along with the fact that they averaged just under 46 points against throughout the home and away season.
A host of players have made the Creekers the most disciplined defensive unit in the league. Matthew Lewis finished as his side’s best in the preliminary final over Whittlesea and has now been named in his side’s best in four of his last five matches.
Full back Brenton Keating has done so in his previous four games, while captain Nathan Searl returned from injury last week and had a major influence in the defensive end also.
The highest score Diamond Creek have conceded in 2024 is 10.13 (73), which came from South Morang in their last match up in the qualifying final.
However, all four of the Lions’ defeats this season have come when they have failed to score more than 70 points, which appears to be the magic number that the Creekers will be aiming to avoid South Morang reaching in order to prevent the number one attacking side in the competition from kicking a winning score.
If Diamond Creek claim victory, it will be their first senior men’s premiership since 2005. This will be their third decider since that day and will be more determined than ever to avoid another Grand Final defeat.
With two in-form sides, both of whom have full squads to select from, all roads are leading towards this being one of the great MC Labour Division 2 Grand Finals this Saturday afternoon.
