Finals are starting to appear on the horizon and the Round 13 action in MC Labour Division 2 is headlined by a bumper clash between the top-two sides.
On paper, some results should be straightforward this weekend as finals contenders aim to create more separation between the top and bottom of the ladder, but a first versus second clash may have a massive bearing on the season.
Having already pulled through in a blockbuster clash against last week, Lower Plenty’s superb season reaches a massive junction when they face the undefeated Banyule in a mouth-watering match-up.
Lower Plenty have been strong all season, winning eight games in a row since dropping their only game for the year to Banyule back in Round 2.
Lower will give themselves every chance this week and head into the big match with good form under their belt, beating fellow premiership contender Thomastown by 32 points at Main Street Recreation Reserve in Round 12.
With Coaches MVP leader Josh Turner sidelined, big man Tom Blake and Tom Keys were pivotal to the result, both polling nine votes from the coaches, while Billy Barden was a big presence up forward and was the only player on the ground to kick multiple goals, with three.
As good as last week’s win was, Lower will again have to go to another gear to match Banyule, who continue to set the pace in a brilliant campaign to date.
The ladder-leader once again did their thing last week, romping to victory over Panton Hill at Beverley Road Oval, despite the likes of Brent Stanton, Riley Loton, Nick Grabowski, Nick Biscontin, Mitch Lovell, Jake Truefeldt all missing the match.
Reuben Blackmore-Moore continued his stellar season with another best on ground performance, while the versatile Jack Langford also starred with eight Coaches’ MVP Award votes.
With Michael Italia also slotting a bag of five goals up forward, Banyule will feel it is primed to back up the nine-point win they had over Lower Plenty back in Round 2.
Entrenched in a fight to make the top-five, St Mary’s simply must account for Panton Hill at Whatmough Park if they are to keep pressure on the likes of Diamond Creek, Thomastown and Eltham.
The Burra put to bed a slow restart after the extended mid-season break, comfortably sliding past Epping to win by 56 points last round.
Exciting young prospect Tane Cotter and reigning club champion Nick Dean were both vibrant and finished with three goals apiece, with the latter dominating proceedings to take home eight Coaches’ MVP Award votes.
The likes of Zane Costello and Joseph Maggio were also instrumental in the big win that sees the Burra sit only a game outside the all-important top five as they strive for their first-ever Division 2 finals appearance.
The long season is starting to take its toll on Panton Hill, but they will be desperate to claim a major scalp in the back end of the season to assure their place in this competition next year.
Although it can be hard to take positives out of a three-figure loss, a four-goal final term against ladder-leader Banyule should give the Redbacks hope of a better result against the Burra this weekend.
Mitch Merkel was a shining light up forward last week, slotting three of his side’s five goals for the day. Merkel has slotted 11 goals in three matches since joining from Greensborough prior to the transfer deadline closing.
Sam Parks was also valiant in defeat in a tireless performance in the midfield and has been in brilliant form since the break.
Having returned to the winners’ list in a big way last weekend, both Eltham and Watsonia will be keen to keep the momentum going when they meet at A.K Lines Reserve.
With doubts hanging over their inconsistent performances so far in 2021, the Panthers produced their more complete display for the season, holding Diamond Creek goalless until the last quarter in a 68-point victory at Eltham Central Park.
The return of Michael Still boosted Eltham’s forward line massively, as the lynchpin snagged three goals, with good support from Daniel Jarvis who finished with an identical haul.
Jackson Weatherald’s fine season went to another level, unanimously receiving the full ten Coaches’ MVP Award votes for his brilliant running game, while Lane Sinclair’s presence on the half-forward line also was rewarded with seven votes.
But the Panthers will need to be consistent if they are to beat Watsonia, with the Saints showing great signs in a big 93-point win over the Fitzroy Stars.
Jacob Pickett and Xavier Kelly were key players in the win, as Watsonia’s emerging youth looks to be holding them in good stead as they strive to finish off the year strongly.
Kyle Wheatley’s whirlwind presence in the forward line was elevated to a new level with another bag of four goals, while Jesse Presser and Anthony O’Sullivan also filled their boots with three goals.
The Saints look to have well and truly secured their place in Division 2 for next season and will use the final six rounds looking to claim some upset wins against higher-placed opposition.
If Diamond Creek is to cap off a great year with a finals berth, they will have to rebound quickly when they take on Epping at Coventry Oval.
Despite being consistent throughout the majority of their 2021 campaign, the Creekers haven’t quite been to the same level since the season restart and last week produced their worst showing of the season against Eltham.
Joel Randall has been important all year long for Diamond Creek in defence, and once again did everything in his power to stem the flow of goals last week, while Jai Norman’s persistence in front of goal came to the fore late, snagging three of his team’s four majors.
The Creekers will be expected to win this week, but they are coming up against an Epping side which has much to play for in the final weeks of the season as they try to avoid relegation back to Division 3.
Epping were left to rue poor goal kicking after a dour first term, as an eight-goal to one second quarter by St Mary’s blew their match wide open at Epping Recreation Reserve.
The 56-point loss still had some positives, as Sage Dicello’s wonderful campaign continued with another four-goal haul.
His efforts also netted him six Coaches’ MVP Award votes, while the always present Jhye Baddeley-Kelly also did everything possible to restrict the loss.
In the final game of Round 13, the Fitzroy Stars will be needing to recapture the form that saw them beat Panton Hill a fortnight ago if they are to challenge Thomastown.
The two sides will be playing for the NAIDOC Cup in Saturday’s game at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval.
The Stars struggled to back up their maiden victory for the season last Saturday, only scoring four goals, all of which came in the opening half, in a very disappointing loss to Watsonia.
Former Essendon player Nathan Lovett-Murray was one of his side’s best, yet even his talent and experience couldn’t help his side get into the contest in what many expected would be a close match.
Coree Thorpe and Aaron Lynn tried hard in tough conditions, but more contributors will be needed if the Stars are to match it with Thomastown.
Thomastown is on the rebound after last week having its four-game winning streak ended by Lower Plenty.
The Bears would have entered their blockbuster at Main Street Recreation Reserve confident of making another statement but lacked the scoring power required to match it with the second-placed side.
They were made to pay for an inaccurate first quarter, where they booted 2.6 and led by just 11 points at quarter time when the advantage should have been much larger. They then mustered just one more goal for the day in a 32-point defeat.
Daniel Bramich was by far Thomastown’s best on a tough day, while Daniel Caruso also did his best to spark his side.
A more even spread of contributors will be necessary if Thomastown are to bridge the gap between themseleves and the league’s top-two sides, and this weekend gives them a great chance to improve their record in the run home to finals football.
