Round 5 of the MC Labour Division 2 has arrived, and it’s shaping up to be an absolute blockbuster with contests that could go either way across the board.
Top of the table side Northcote Park will be hosting Lower Plenty at Bill Lawry Oval.
In what has been a great start of the season for Northcote, they will be travelling back home to reclaim a victory after being overrun by South Morang last week. After an impressive first three rounds where they looked super strong, the Cougars couldn’t maintain the hot start they had against South Morang and had their first blemish of the season. Despite the loss the Cougars still held their heads up high with Samuel Amad, Matt Perry and James McArdle having terrific games and will be players to watch again this week.
With two wins and two loses Lower Plenty are looking to climb up the ladder. Jack Chubb doing an outstanding job in the forward 50, kicking 16 goals in just four games. Riding the high of a win last week the Bears will fancy that their best football can take it up to the Cougars.
Fitzroy Stars host Macleod at Sir Doug Nicholls Reserve in a clash that could shake up the ladder. Both sides will be chasing their third win of the season, with Macleod currently sitting third, ahead of the Stars on percentage.
The Stars held their ground last week down at the Whittlesea Showgrounds taking the win over the Eagles by 28 points. Jai Burns and Kain Proctor had great games alongside Alex Williamson and Patrick Farrant who kick five goals between them. The Stars are starting to find their way into this Division 2 season.
Macleod returned to the winner’s list last week with a 16-point victory over Thomastown and will be eager to defend their home ground again. Captain Darcy Barden has been in outstanding form to start the season, booting 14 goals across four games, while Mackenzie Hogg and Joel Anderson have also been key contributors in Macleod’s strong start to the year.
Thomastown are welcoming South Morang to Main St Reserve this week in what is to be a good quality clash.
After taking down Northcote Park last week by 27 points, South Morang look as though they will be among the leading teams in MC Labour Division 2 this year. Former Richmond player Noah Cumberland has had an immediate impact, the key forward booting six goals in his two appearances so far and could prove a handful for Thomastown. Christian Mardini and Carter McCall have also had excellent starts to the season.
Although they have only returned one win for the season so far, Thomastown’s losses have all been by 16 points or less, so they have certainly been thereabouts. Anthony Capeci, Lawrence Lo Piccolo and Jake Nikolov having stellar starts to the season for the Bears.
Old Paradians will be hosting St Mary’s at Garvey Oval this week in what shapes as one of the games of the weekend.
In a season that has been up and down, the Raiders are looking to take their fourth win of this season and consolidate a spot in the top five. Captain Kyle O’Sullivan has been leading from the front, as has Michael Boundy and Liam McVeigh who kicked eight goals between them last week in a ten-point victory against Panton Hill.
St Mary’s start to the season has been a little more uneven, with wins over Panton Hill and Macleod offset by losses to South Morang and Lower Plenty. They’ll be keen to cause an upset and take their third win for the season. Will Ryan and Connor Kissane kicking six goals between them and Tane Cotter alongside Will Dean have been taking their games to the next level.
Whittlesea will make the trip up the hill this weekend as they look to return to the winners’ list against Panton Hill.
It’s been a yo-yo season so far for the Eagles, who went down on their home turf last week by 28 points to Fitzroy Stars and leaves them at 2-2. Caden Allen has been a player to watch in their forward 50 kicking 15 goals in four games thus far, while Zane Anderson and Bailey Robinson have been dominating the midfield.
Still searching for their first win of the season, Panton Hill will head into this week’s clash with some confidence that a solid four-quarter performance could secure their first premiership points of 2026. After falling just ten points short against Old Paradians last week, they showed plenty of fight and will be eager to build on that performance. Nicholas Parks, Oliver Parks and Jesse Callaway have all made a flying start to the season and will again be key players for the Redbacks.
