Division 2 Preview

Anna Pavlou – @Annalyst_Sports

It’s the tail of polar opposites as Yarra Old Grammarians are fighting to hold their spot in fourth place while at the other end, Emmaus St Leos are desperately trying to escape the bottom two. The Animals rely on a few key players weekly, but in this crucial make-or-break period, it’s time for a broader spread of contributors to chip in to make them a team that’s hard to beat. The Rangers will be eager to boost their percentage and retain their finals spot.

MHSOB are fighting hard to work their way back into the top four, so this game will keep them in favour or diminish their chances all together. UHS-VU are the biggest surprise of the 2018 season, having only dropped one game thus far and will be confident to boost their percentage. In the battle of the high schools it will be interesting to follow whether the Unicorns have got what it takes to match with the big boys.

Eltham’s gusty effort last week sees them eager to go one step further and test an up-and-about Power House side, urgent to take the four points and stay in Division 2. If the House can play an un-congested game, they’ll be able to beat the Turtles. However, the Turtles are playing contested game, so it’s a game of who can play clean football. Power House may be reliant on a tall forward line, so it’s Eltham’s job to match with defensive height. Both teams are looking to prove their worth in the bottom six, but a positive result will change the fate of the season for either side.

Both desperate to keep their Division 2 chances alive, this is a must win that will set the fate of St Johns and Bulleen Templestowe in 2019. Bulleen were devastated after their loss last week, so watch out for a high-pressured game through the midfield and a more defensive-style game from both sides. The side that takes the biggest chances and tries to break the shackles will come away with the most valuable four points.

The battle of the best, Whitefriars and Old Paradians, is here again and this time, the Raiders are looking to keep their perfect record alive, while the Friars are looking for four extra points and a percentage boost to get them back into fourth place. Last time they met it was the Raiders who took the chocolates, but a newly rejuvenated Friars side, coming off last week’s win, will be out to test the top-of-the-ladder team. Watch for a high scoring, high intensity and high skill game of the round. This could be a taste of finals footy.