Big bags the order of the day in Division 2 Men’s

There was plenty to like about the weather on Saturday if you were a forward in division 2 men’s on Saturday.

The beautiful sunshine, fast-moving footy and a day to dominate would’ve been on the mind of many as Round 3 came around after the Easter break.

Aquinas picked up where they left off with a thumping 97 point win over Power House. The home side were in total control from the opening bounce setting up the win with 12 goals to 2 in the opening half. Harry Dwyer found his way to 7 goals in a best on ground display while Michael Di Donato helped himself to 4 majors.

After finishing in 7th spot last year with 4 wins, they have the chance to equal that this weekend when they travel to face MHSOB, setting up a tantalising contest!

The Unicorns were the pre-season prediction for Division 2, coming into the season after winning 10 in a row last year and the first 2 games of this season. The streak came to an end at the hands of Old Parade.

In a topsy turvy contest Old Parade led at quarter time by 23 points, half time by 6 points, trailing by 19 at the final change before storming home by 18 points. Luke Brock backed up his 4 goals last week with a bag of 5 as part of the 37 point turnaround in the final term.

MHSOB may well use this as a ‘reset’ and sting in the tail they need going into next week. They’ll no doubt be very impressed with the follow up effort of Julian Eimutis who kicked 4 for the Unicorns and was named their best player again.

Brunswick struggled throughout 2021, coming down to Division 2 has played into the hands of the purple, green and white. A 37 point win over Yarra Old Grammarians was set up with 10 goals in 3 in the first half. Despite 3 goals to Matt Stone for Yarra Old, he was overshadowed in front of the sticks by Tom Wilson who took his season tally to 15 to sit equal top after 3 rounds.

Rhyen Woods was named best for Brunswick who’ve started the season in a blaze of glory averaging 132 points per game, while conceding 40.25 points against.

A big deal was made about Bulleen Templestowe ending their losing streak in 2021, in the early part of this season, it’s becoming part of the norm. An 18 point win over Manningham is justification they’re doing plenty right, supported up forward by Anthony Nicholas Lucisano who kicked 5 goals in the win after coming from Kew in 2021.

The Cobras have had a tough 3 weeks to start the year but will see themselves as a big chance against Yarra Old Grammarians when they meet at Koonung Park this Saturday.

In another edition of Saturday night footy, Ivanhoe AFC avenged their round 2 loss to MHSOB accounting for West Brunswick by 41 points. In a battle of the black and white, Scott Selwood helped himself to 2 goals in his debut with the club. Billy Drake has had a great start to the year for the Hoers with 2 majors himself, while the captain-coach Ash Close keeps his name equal top of the goalkicking in 2022, also kicking 2.

Last year’s J Fullerton Medal winner Wayne Schulz couldn’t be stopped as he ran rampant for the victors. On the Magpies side of things, Luke Buckler kicked 2 goals while Josh Elston and Will Dillon were named in the best.

Ivanhoe AFC will look to keep pressure on the top 2 as they head to Power House this weekend while West Brunswick host Bulleen Templestowe.