The top five of the MC Labour Division 2 Competition could look very different by the end of the week as some intriguing fixtures are set to take place in Round 8.
For the first time since their dramatic clash in the final home and away round of 2022, St Mary’s and Thomastown meet again at Whatmough Park.
The stakes aren’t as high this time around, but it still shapes to be a massive eight-point game as the halfway mark of the season approaches.
Thomastown currently sit just inside the top five after claiming six of a possible 12 points over the last three weeks.
The Bears will be disappointed with their draw to Panton Hill in Round 7, having led by 34 points at half time. But the positives came out of strong performances from the ever-reliable Tyrone Leonardis as well as Daniel Caruso, who has had an outstanding three weeks.
Anthony Capeci returning to goalkicking form has also been a huge bonus for Peter Bugden’s side, having kicked nine majors in his last two games.
St Mary’s are looking to recapture their earlier form that saw them claim three straight wins by margins of 40 points or more between Round 3 and 5.
They’ve since had two defeats but are only two points away from a top five spot.
Huon MacGibbon has been in brilliant form for the Burra this season, he’s been named in his side’s best in five of seven games this year and picked up two Coaches MVP Award votes last week despite the heavy defeat to Diamond Creek.
Jack Bianchin and Nicholas Dean have produced some strong efforts in recent weeks and will no doubt have a big say on the contest come Saturday.
Having been on the end of eight and 19-point losses to the Bears last season, one of which ended their finals hopes, they’ll be out to buck the trend and scalp a win in front of their fans this weekend.
Eltham and Northcote Park lock heads at Eltham Central Park on Saturday, with both sides coming into this clash with different form lines.
The Panthers were able to bounce back from their first defeat of the season a fortnight ago to claim a 13-point victory over Watsonia away from home.
Jason McCormick has been in terrific form for Tim Bongetti’s side this season, particularly in the last two weeks without teammate Daniel Owen. In last week’s win, he kicked a career-high six majors, earning a perfect 10 Coaches MVP Award votes as a result.
He’s kicked 22 goals for the season and has been a huge contributor to his side’s strong attacking form this year, as Eltham boast the best offensive record in the competition.
They face a Northcote Park side who need a big response of their own following a disappointing 41-point result against South Morang.
In stark contrast to their Saturday opponents, only three sides have scored less points than the Cougars so far this season, with their total score in last week’s loss to the Lions being their lowest since Round 1.
They have continued to find consistent performances from Alastair Punshon and skipper Matthew Perry in recent matches, but with some huge games coming up over the next few weeks, it will be crucial to find more contributions from their teammates.
Round 10, 2017 was the last time these two sides played, back when they competed in the top flight. But much has changed since, as both sides look remain in the spots they’re in now, by season’s end.
Wanting to keep touch with the top-five, Watsonia will be looking to record an upset when they face ladder leaders Diamond Creek at Binnak Park.
Having fell short to Eltham by under three goals in Round 7, they’ll be hoping to put in another competitive showing against a top side this week.
While we’ve come to expect the excellent work of Joshua Boulton this season, Harrison Sinclair has been just as impressive in the defensive half for the Saints.
He was their best player in the loss to the Panthers, earning four Coaches MVP Award votes, and has put together a brilliant body of work in the first seven weeks of the season.
Diamond Creek meanwhile sit on top of the ladder on percentage, following a strong 43-point win over St Mary’s last week, with another impressive victory sure to help their chances of confirming a top two spot by season’s end.
Mid-forward Tyler Barnes continues to show his class, having been named in the side’s top contributors on five occasions, he is having a massive influence in the front half of the ground.
Jacob Booth has also been vital to the Creekers’ impressive form in recent weeks, he’s kicked three majors in consecutive weeks and provided he is not selected in the VFL again this week, will remain an important part of his side’s chances of a sixth win this Saturday.
In their two meetings last season, Diamond Creek prevailed by 64 and 27 points respectively. Having had the wood over the Saints in recent times they’ll fancy themselves to run out victors again.
Coming off a high by securing their first win of the season, Epping will hope to keep building on that momentum as they prepare to do battle with an in-form Panton Hill outfit at Epping Recreation Reserve.
The Blues registered their first victory in the competition in 343 days and did in style with a 43-point triumph over Lower Plenty away from home.
The win came through the work of many contributors, Jordan Hollow and Caleb Newport were two in particular that were outstanding. Newport received seven Coaches MVP Award votes, while Hollow has now been named in his side’s best in two straight games.
Daniel Rakhln’s four-goal effort was another reason behind the Blues victory, it was a career-high for the 18-year-old who looks to have a bright future with some impressive games since his senior debut last year.
However, it will be a massive test for Epping this week, as they tackle one of the most in form sides in the competition to date.
After it was tracking towards a heavy defeat last week, Panton Hill were able to claim a draw over Thomastown at home in a monumental effort, stretching their unbeaten run to four games.
Tom Keys has been in scintillating form, and he played one of his best games for the club last Saturday. He kicked five goals and was brilliant in all areas of the ground. His work over the last few weeks of the season in particular has seen him rise to be the Coaches MVP Award leader heading into Round 8.
Having won both meetings against the Blues by an average of 27 points last season, the Redbacks will be hoping to keep their charge towards a spot in the top five on pace.
Another side who is in terrific form at the moment in South Morang will aim to keep close checking on the top two as they host Lower Plenty at Mill Park Lakes Reserve.
Gary Hall’s side have enjoyed a dream start to Dvision 2, and it continued in Round 7, as they produced a strong 41-point triumph over Northcote Park to sit a game clear in third spot.
Two men that shone in the club’s fifth win of the season were Kain Hall and Mitchell Kalpakis. Hall stepped up in the absence of Joshua D’Intinosante and booted a career-high five majors, while Kalpakis was a clear best on ground with some outstanding work in the defensive half.
It puts the Lions in a good position as we approach the halfway point of the 2023 campaign, and they’ll be aiming to keep the surge going against the winless Lower Plenty.
The Bears continue to struggle this season and couldn’t keep up with a determined Epping side last week, going down by 43 points.
It leaves Phil Plunkett’s men in a vulnerable position on the bottom of the ladder, a game behind the Blues, and they’ll hope to start from the ground up again this weekend.
Lower Plenty’s leaders have stood up in rough times throughout the year. Co-captain Jordan Sacco has strung together some admirable performances in recent week Ciaran Porter has been a classy contributor in a constantly under-threat backline. Patrick Flynn’s season has also gone under the radar, with the ruckman dominant often in games.
It’s been 15 years since these two sides last faced each other and while it looks a one-sided affair on paper, expect a response from a Bears outfit desperate to end their losing streak.
