Finals football for the MC Labour Division 2 makes its returns, with two massive fixtures set to take place this weekend at Epping Recreational Reserve.
Qualifying Final: Banyule vs Lower Plenty
Banyule
Ladder: 2nd (15-3-0; 168.29%)
Leading goalkicker: Jack Langford (59 goals)
Most times in best: Riley Loton (12), Jack Langford (11), Daniel Kelly (8)
Lower Plenty
Ladder: 3rd (12-4-2; 180.54%)
Leading goalkicker: Tom Keys (39 goals)
Most times in best: Darcy Barden (10), Ciaran Porter (9), Tom Keys (8)
Having both exchanged wins against each other this season, Banyule and Lower Plenty will fancy their chances in their third meeting this weekend.
Both sides finished the shortened 2021 campaign with a 11-1 record, establishing themselves as two of the teams to beat headlining into this season. While neither claimed the minor premiership, their performances throughout the 2022 year have given reason to suggest they can do some damage in the final series.
Banyule have had a great season, only once did they finish a round outside the top three, and they’ll be hoping to springboard straight into a semi-final date with Eltham next week.
Tim Martin’s dominance in the ruck has been a major factor to the side’s success this season and he’ll have the advantage on Saturday with Lower Plenty big man Thomas Blake out with injury.
Jack Langford up forward has been excellent, finishing the season as the division’s top goal kicker with 59 majors.
Riley Loton will also be a player Lower will need to be weary of with the midfielder having a stellar campaign and without Kye Yodgee, Loton will need to be the one to stop.
For Lower Plenty, a qualifying final victory will give Phil Plunkett’s side incredible confidence for the remainder of the series, particularly if they do meet the Panthers next week as they’re the only team to have beaten the ladder leaders this season.
All eyes will be on their star man Tom Keys who’s provided real x-factor to his side this season having been a great focal point up forward when required.
Darcy Barden, has been the general down back, with his intercept marking and ability to break the game open an important catalyst to Lower Plenty’s victories this year.
Both sides have the potential to go far in this year’s final campaign and the winner on Saturday will have the important advantage to make a run for premiership glory.
Elimination Final: Diamond Creek vs Thomastown
Diamond Creek
Ladder: 4th (13-5-0; 167.83%)
Leading goalkicker: Jai Norman (34 goals)
Most times in best: Jai Norman (11), Matthew Lewis (10), Tyler Barnes (9)
Thomastown
Ladder: 5th (8-9-1; 131.89%)
Leading goalkicker: Anthony Capeci (47 goals)
Most times in best: Jarryd Coulson (11), Tyler Barrow (11), Lawrence Lopiccolo (10)
It’s win or go home in Sunday’s elimination final and while both teams come into this game from different scenario’s, it’s still expected to be nothing short of a great contest.
The Creekers have had an outstanding 2022 campaign to book their first finals appearance since their grand final run in 2017.
Since then, they’ve fell short of the finals on multiple occasions and while they would be disappointed not to finish the season in the top three, where they had been for most of the year, the excitement of a finals campaign will no doubt spur Andrew Tranquilli’s side.
Jai Norman will be again be a key figure for the Creekers on Sunday, the forward kicking 34 goals this year, including three against Thomastown in their meeting in June.
He’ll be aided by Ryan Pingree who returned from injury last week and kicked five against the Fitzroy Stars.
Thomastown are still riding an incredible wave as despite being 14 points away from the top five in Round 12, were able to sneak into the finals after winning four of their last five games.
Their momentum will be huge coming into this clash and they’ll be looking to some consistent performers to again help get them over the line.
Ruck Jarryd Coulson is proving to be revelation in his first season with the club. Arguably the best ruckman in the division, Coulson’s work around the ground has ensured his side regularly got first use out of the middle.
Another revelation has been Lawrence Lopiccolo, with his grunt work in the midfield and ability to win the ball, helping Thomastown’s drives up forward. He was leading the Coaches MVP race as late as the midway point of the year.
Despite the Bears’ recent form, Diamond Creek still come into their clash as the favourites having won both encounters against Thomastown this season. But with those winning margins only being nine and 14 points, an improved Bears side could cause another surprise and book their spot in the semi-final.
