Division 2 Preview

All roads lead to Melbourne High School this weekend as the Unicorns host Whitefriars in a battle of fifth vs fourth. While a Unicorns victory certainly won’t hand them a positional change given the 73% disparity between the sides, it will certainly add flavour to the run home with both sides on equal points. These sides last met in Round 9 at Whitefriars College, with the Friars running out 31-point winners. A lot has happened since that fateful day with the Friars having gone 2-2 and the Unicorns 3-1, so expect a closer game than what was dished up last time.

On the opposite end of the scale, Emmaus St Leo’s will take their turn trying to stop the undefeated run of Old Paradians when the two sides meet at Bennettswood Sports Ground. 59 points separated the two sides in Round 5 as the Raiders flexed their muscle and, given the Animals have kicked just eight goals over the past two matches, it looks as though they’ll be in for another substantial loss at the hands of a top four side to add to the pain suffered against Whitefriars and UHS over the past two weeks. The Raiders will not want to give up their undefeated status now they are the only senior men’s sides to remain that way. Expect a haul from Michael Boundy as he tries to chase down YOG’s Rory Harbeck at the top of the goal kicking leader board with two goals separating the pair.

Another match of the round candidate is the highly-anticipated clash between Yarra Old Grammarians and UHS-VU at Doncaster Reserve. Two games and 20% separate the sides in second and third spot on the ladder, and it was the Vultures who ran out 39-point winners on the fortress that is Brens Oval in Round 2. While both sides are running significant winning streaks at present, it’s the Bushrangers who might just pip the Vultures on home soil.

As the battle to avoid that second relegation position heats up, St John’s will be keen to put three close losses behind them when they travel to Eltham College. Sitting in ninth spot and half a game behind Power House and Emmaus, a win will propel them over the Animals should they lose to the Raiders. It’s an absolute must-win for the JOCs and they will take a world of confidence from their 53-point win over the Turtles in Round 2.

The final game is another huge relegation battle between Power House and Bulleen Templestowe at Ross Gregory Oval. The Bullants sit sixth on 14 premiership points while the House are eight on 12. It couldn’t get a lot bigger. Last weekend’s results will give the House confidence coming into this one after a string of losses but the Bullants will be up and about after dismantling the House by 73 points earlier in the season.