BUNDOORA, VIC. (NFNL HQ). — A top-two clash is the headline act of this weekend’s Northern Football Netball League Division 2 fixtures.
Premiership favouritism could be up for grabs as St Mary’s host Northcote Park at Whatmough Park.
Both teams are locked on 40 points, and a victory here would be a massive step towards the minor premiership. St Mary’s are flying at the moment, having won seven in a row, whereas the Cougars got a win over Lower Plenty last week after losing two in a row before that. It is an understatement to say this game is the biggest of the season so far for both these clubs.
Jordan Perry is coming off a huge game last week for the Cougars against Lower Plenty, racking up 30 disposals, 19 of which were contested, also slotting two goals and notching up 131 ranking points for his efforts. Michael Amad kicked four, and Nathan Perry kicked three, so there are great options for goal scoring for the Cougars.
For the Burra, it was Huon Macgibbon who was the cream of the crop last week up against Old Paradians, notching up 39 hitouts and 11 of those were to advantage. Ty Kitchell also had a solid game last week, collecting 23 disposals with 15 contested.
The Burra are looking to make it eight in a row and continue their march towards finals.
South Morang head to Garvey Oval for a top four matchup against Old Paradians, which has big ramifications for the layout of the finals.
Both teams are coming off close losses last week, with the Lions falling to Thomastown at home by ten points, and Old Paradians going down by three goals to St Mary’s.
South Morang are one win ahead of the Raiders on the ladder, but with four weeks left in the season, nothing is guaranteed with such a tight table.
Old Paradians’ clear standout this season has been Connor McDonald; he’s averaging 26.5 disposals, 21.5 of which are contested, along with 36.2 hitouts. He was a huge loss last week being a late out, so the Raiders will love having him back for this week.
The Raiders’ defence has been very good this season, only conceding on average just over 66 points a game and have the least amount of points against, one point less than ladder-leading Northcote Park. The likes of Declan Brunskill and Billy Bedford down back have been great for the Raiders this season.
For the Lions, Liam Failla (27 disposals) and Davin Cameron (26 disposals, one goal) were the pick of the bunch last week and will be ones to look out for again at Garvey Oval. The Lions will take confidence going into this one, getting the chocolates the last time clubs clashed back in Round 7. They got the job done by 17 points at Mill Park Lakes.
Macleod welcome Lower Plenty to De Winton Reserve and hope to continue their run of good form in the back end of the season.
The ‘Roos are coming off an exhilarating draw with Fitzroy Stars last week, giving up a 17-point lead at three-quarter time at home. Being at home again this week they’d love to right the wrongs of last week and bounce back.
Spearhead forward for Macleod, Darcy Barden, is on top of the goalkickers in MC Labour Division 2, kicking 48 for the season and slotting another 6 last week as his strong season rolls on. Kobe Brandt and Justin White are both having solid seasons for the ‘Roos as well, Brandt averaging 23.1 and White averaging 20 disposals for the year. But they will once again have to fill the hole of missing Mackenzie Hogg in the midfield and forward lines.
Lower Plenty are at seven wins and seven losses to this point of the year, but have lost their last four games against Fitzroy Stars, South Morang, St Mary’s and Northcote Park, all four of those currently sit in the top five. A win here for Lower Plenty would be huge to get their season, and possible finals berth back on track.
They’ll have to do it again without full forward Jack Chubb, who has 37 for the season and is averaging just over three goals a game, sitting in second place on the goalkickers tally. Jack Madgen is also missing, averaging 2.4 goals per game and 17.7 touches; his experience will be duly missed.
The Bears will need to rely on the likes of Ciaran Porter and Jack Hutchison in defence this week with Barden always being a looming threat, and having no Chubb and Madgen, they might need to hold out for a lower-scoring affair.
Fitzroy Stars head to AE Cracknells Reserve for a clash with Panton Hill, which both teams need a win for finals and relegation ramifications.
The Redbacks fell a game behind in last place after Thomastown’s upset over South Morang. With four games left in the season, and having the inferior percentage to the Bears, it is just about a must-win this week for Panton Hill.
Last week for the Redbacks, Zac Fawdry had 23 touches, 10 contested possessions, with 10 clearances, and co-captain Riley Livingstone had 21 disposals and 124 ranking points. So they will be ones to look out for this weekend, along with Sam Parks and Oliver Parks who are having good seasons also, averaging 26 and 22.4 disposals a game respectively.
On the other hand, the Stars are currently in fifth, two points clear of sixth place Lower Plenty, so a result for them this week would be crucial. Last week in their draw with Macleod, Kain Proctor racked up 32 disposals, 14 that were contested, but he is an out for this week so that Stars will have to find a way to make up for his input. Patrick Farrant had an awesome day as well, kicking five goals and notching up 22 disposals himself.
Thomas Clarke and Ethan Penrith have also been winning the ball in the Fitzroy Stars midfield, so they will be ones to look out for again this week.
Lastly, Whittlesea welcome Thomastown to the Showgrounds, where the Eagles are in a must-win or their finals hopes could be done, whereas the Bears could do wonders for their survival chances with a win.
Whittlesea currently sits in seventh place on the ladder, six points behind fifth place Fitzroy Stars, and with such a tight division, every game is crucial in the final makeup of the ladder.
Last week Riley Powell and Angus Smith both slotted three goals each for the Eagles in a dominant performance over the Redbacks. Scoring power will be important for Whittlesea, as they may need to make up some percentage if they tie on points come the end of the season. Caden Allen has slotted 27 up forward as well, so watch out for him this week.
Thomastown will look to repeat their heroics of last week, after they upset South Morang in a huge win for the club’s survival chances in Division 2. They have won three out of their last four, with the loss being at the hands of Fitzroy Stars by one point at Sir Doug Nicholls Reserve in the NAIDOC Week match.
For the Bears, the likes of Lawrence Lo Piccolo and Youseph Dib are key factors in this Bears midfield. Last week, Zain Yamak had 29 disposals and slotted three majors and Milad Almatrah notched up 31 touches and 16 marks against the Lions, but Almatrah is an out this week so that is a big loss for Thomastown.
A huge matchup: a win for the Eagles and they could still fight for the five, or a win for the Bears may just be enough to keep them in MC Labour Division 2 next season.
