Welcome back to Division 2 football

Jarryd McGuane – Division 2 Scribe

With 2016 now in the rear-view mirror and the pre-season behind us, it’s time for the 2017 VAFA season to get underway.

Division 2 says goodbye to last year’s premiers, the Preston Bullants, and the runners up, St Johns OC, as they head to Division 1. We also bid farewell to the bottom-placed Richmond Central as they drop down to Division 3. The 2016 Grand Final saw St Johns OC (JOC), who only had one loss for the year, face the third-placed Preston Bullants at Casey Fields. The JOC’s would take a lead into quarter time but from then on the Bullants had control of the match. St Johns OC were far from embarrassed and constantly threatened to steal back the lead from Bullants, who had defeated Yarra Valley OB and West Brunswick on the way to the Grand Final. However, every time the JOCs threatened, the powerful Bullant’s midfield, lead by the Marcon brothers, managed to wrestle back control of the game. In the end, the Bullants won by a narrow margin of 12 points.

In 2017, Division 2 welcomes four exciting teams into the mix, Prahran Assumption and Old Paradians, coming back from Division 1; and Glen Eira and Hawthorn gaining promotion from Division 3. Prahran Assumption knew of their relegation a few rounds out from the end of the season, finishing with only three wins and a draw. While Old Paradians did not learn their fate until the final round, where a draw with Prahran Assumption earlier in the season left them a gut-wrenching two points short of Division 1 survival. It was Glen Eira and Hawthorn who were the class of Division 3 all season and were always destined to meet in the Grand Final. In the end, it was the second-placed Glen Eira who came out on top by an impressive 47 points. Now that 2016 is behind these four new clubs, it’ll be interesting to see how the year ahead plays out for them. With the form each have showed in the past, they all look like sides not to be taken lightly.

Emmaus St Leos finished in eighth last season, narrowly avoiding relegation. However, they showed some signs of brilliance throughout the year which showcased the balance of Division 2. This season, led by the two Baranello’s and the goal kicking power of Daniel Hill, they will be threatening to jump up the ladder and taste some finals success.

In 2016, Bulleen/Templestowe proved that they were a strong defensive side and constantly held opponents off in low scoring games. Their issues came when the games opened up against stronger opponents and they lacked a consistent goal scorer to match it with the best. With their defensive strength, they will be close to challenging for the top four in 2017.

Eltham Collegians were one of the sides who developed as the season went on and had it not been for a poor start to the season, they could have been fighting for a spot in the finals. Throughout the year, they relied heavily on the goals of Ben Gill, who has, unfortunately, left for the Northern Football League. We hope someone will be able to fill his role and help Eltham taste success in 2017. However, with the four new teams, Eltham face a tough season ahead, yet, with the fight they displayed last year, they should secure safety well before the end of the season.

MHSOB were the unluckiest of all the sides that missed out on finals last season, finishing fifth after a loss in the final round that saw Yarra Valley OB leap frog them into fourth place. With consistent performances from their forwards, MHSOB managed to win some very competitive, high-scoring encounters and will look to capitalise on that again this year. Despite their success in tough games last year, they had some issues when it came to playing sides below them and giving up leads late in matches. If in 2017, MHSOB learn to tighten the screws and finish strong, they should be back in the winners’ books and eyeing off a premiership flag.

Yarra Valley OB proved to be a very good side during their first year in Division 2, managing to sneak into the finals after MHSOB slip-up in the final round of the regular season. They were an all-round competitive team who took it to the top sides in all meeting. They will look to build on last year’s first round finals loss to the eventual premiers and once again push for finals in 2017.

West Brunswick’s bid for their third promotion in as many years fell one game short after they were knocked out of the finals in straight sets in 2016. Throughout the year, they looked like the biggest challenger to St Johns OC, earning their second-place finish on the ladder. They are well placed to take the next step in 2017 and are my tip as flag favourites for the year ahead.

The 2017 season opens with several exciting matches: West Brunswick on the road to face Glen Eira at Packer Reserve. MHSOB hope to welcome Old Paradians to Division 2 with a tough affair at Melbourne High School. Bennettswood Sport Ground plays host to 2017 battlers Emmaus St Leos and Bulleen/Templestowe. Hawthorn takes their first steps following promotion against Yarra Valley OB at the tight confines of Rathmines Road Reserve. And Prahran Assumption hopes to put 2016 behind them as they travel to Eltham College to face the Turtles.

Good luck to all teams for season 2017.

Tips

Emmaus St Leos vs Bulleen/Templestowe

MHSOB vs Old Paradians

Glen Eira vs West Brunswick

Hawthorn vs Yarra Valley OB

Eltham Collegians vs Prahran Assumption