The top six sides in MC Labour Division 2 will be looking to continue building momentum in this weekend’s slate of games.
Diamond Creek will look to continue their near flawless start to the season when they return to Coventry Oval and face fifth-placed St Mary’s.
Whilst they’re not the only undefeated side in the division, Andrew Tranquili’s men have set the benchmark in the opening month of the season.
So far they’ve averaged 113 points per game and have only conceded just over 32 points per game, resulting in their percentage being 350.
Even without vice-captain Jacob Booth, they still comfortably defeated Watsonia by 12 goals. Players like Joel Randall, Dale Marshall on return, Nathan Searl and Jett McLaughlan starred on the weekend, with McLaughlan kicking three goals.
This weekend will be a tricky proposition against a Burra side who have challenged other top three sides in Whittlesea and Macleod the past two weekends.
However, they failed to register a win in those games, resulting in them dropping to fifth and with a 2-2 record.
Joseph Maggio was stellar in the Burra’s 17-point loss to Whittlesea while Ty Kitchell was also serviceable in midfield.
They haven’t been able to impact the scoreboard in a massive way the last fortnight though, kicking a combined 110 points in that period after scoring 284 points in the opening two rounds.
St Mary’s were also unable to defeat Diamond Creek in both their meetings last year and have only defeated the Creekers once since being promoted into Division 2 in 2019.
It’s another massive test for Thomastown when they return to Main Street Recreation Reserve to face Whittlesea.
David Folino and Sash Spiroski’s side are still winless to start the season and now sit two games (plus percentage) behind fifth-placed St Mary’s.
Despite going down to Lower Plenty last weekend there were some promising signs, particularly in the first quarter where they led by 23 points at one stage.
Nick Jolly had a big impact up forward, kicking four goals in his first game of 2025. Blake Ross, Luke Baniowski and Youseph Dib also had a consistent impact throughout.
As has been the case in the last fortnight for them they faded out towards the end of the game, something they’ll need to fix ahead of their game this weekend against the Eagles.
Whittlesea remain undefeated last weekend with another hard-fought win over St Mary’s away from home.
Thomas Falls continued his impressive start to the year alongside reigning Division 2 Best and Fairest Taidhg Bland. Jaron Murphy added another four goals to his tally for the season.
Whittlesea won both matches against Thomastown last year. Their encounter at Saturday’s venue in Round 4 last year went down to the wire though as the Eagles held on for a three-point victory.
A red-hot Macleod outfit will be aiming for four wins in a row when they welcome Panton Hill to De Winton Park.
Following a disappointing round one defeat the Roos have picked up the pace and now sit in third with the second-best percentage in the division.
Last weekend against Old Paradians saw another Darcy Barden masterclass, with the Coaches MVP Leader kicking another nine goals to make it 26 goals in the opening month of the season.
This will be the third successive weekend where the Roos face a side that didn’t make finals in the division last year.
Panton Hill won’t be easy beats though having started the season at 2-2. Against Northcote Park they were unable to register their third win of the season, going down by 21 points.
Thomas Blake still impressed for the Redbacks though, kicking four goals and claiming another eight Coaches MVP votes.
This will be their first meeting since 2008 between the two sides in this very division, with both having differing trajectories and fortunes since that year.
Lower Plenty are set to face a familiar face this weekend in Ben Turner’s Old Paradians at the Garvey Oval.
Saturday will be the first time Ben Turner has been the head coach against one of his former sides who he last coached in the COVID-shortened 2021 season.
Turner’s side hasn’t had the greatest start to the year, sitting at the foot of the table at the end of the opening month of the season.
They haven’t had the easiest start to the season, going up against last year’s top two sides, Whittlesea and Diamond Creek, as well as Northcote Park and Macleod.
Billy Bedford continues to provide good value in his new colours alongside Noah Whittle while Jack Witchell’s return to the senior fold was a successful one.
The challenges continue to present themselves for Old Paradians against a Lower Plenty side who found their straps last weekend in the Battle of the Bears.
After a one-goal to five opening term, Lower kicked 18 goals to seven in the final three terms enroute to a 54-point win at home.
Tyler Wallace was sublime in midfield alongside Ben Smith plus defender Ciaran Porter. Wallace ended up with five goals, four of which coming in the last term.
While it may be the first meeting between the two there’s a strong connection between the Raiders and Bears, with Turner having been the coach of both clubs alongside Phil Plunkett.
Watsonia will continue their search for a win when they host an in-form Northcote Park side at Binnak Park.
Anthony McGregor’s start to life at the Saints hasn’t been sunshine and rainbows yet, with his side still winless and in ninth place.
So far they’ve only managed to pass the 50-point barrier once against Whittlesea, with last weekend seeing them kick their lowest score so far this season in their loss to Diamond Creek.
Daniel Annetta was terrific yet again, with some solid support being provided by star defender Josh Boulton and Ben Callaghan.
They’ll need many more contributors against a Northcote Park side who have now won three on the trot.
Captain Matt Perry had his best performance of the season last weekend, claiming nine coaches’ votes.
Jye Stevens and Leo Amad also contributed in the Cougars win over Panton Hill where they had seven individual goalkickers.
Like many of their opponents last year, Northcote Park split their two meetings with Watsonia.
It was only a six-point victory the last time the Cougars played Watsonia though at Saturday’s venue.
