Ivanhoe AFC. It’s theirs to lose.

After Round 8 VAFA Media locked Ivanhoe AFC into the top two of Division 2 Men’s. After the weekend just gone, lock them into a spot in the Grand Final. Anything short of the final Saturday of the D2 year is a season gone begging. 

Other than a 12 point loss to MHSOB in Round 2, the Hoers have taken it all before them to this point. They’ve now accounted for Brunswick twice this season, won three games by over 100 points and have three players, Ash Close (28), Billy Drake (23) and Vivian Blackmore-Moore (22) in the top 8 on the sharpshooters list. 

All three of those men kicked 10 of the 13 goals kicked by the black and white in the 35 point win on Saturday. Brunswick were held to just three goals in the opening three quarters of the match. The Wickers have struggled to score against the ladder leaders in both encounters this year, being held to 7-goals in both games. 

They’ve got 8 games to get it right before they’re likely to meet again in the first semi-final come September. 

West Brunswick in third spot added 21% to their overall tally with a 122 point win over Bulleen Templestowe. 11 different goalkickers had a hand in the Magpies kicking 22 goals for the day. It was all over at quarter time with an emphatic 10-goal to one opening term. From there they didn’t look back as Irving (4) and Hutchins (4) led the way. 

Much like Ivanhoe, they’ve had three 100+ point wins this season which is helping their percentage be where it is. Keeping them above MHSOB and Old Parade who are on the same amount of wins to this point of the season. 

After three straight losses, the Ants have a chance to get back on the winners list this weekend when they travel out to Koonung Park and face Manningham Cobras. 

Old Paradians were sitting 2-3 after Round 5. Since then, they’re on a five game winning streak and recapturing their best footy through the middle of winter. Their biggest win of the year was set up with 11 goals to three in the first half, followed by another 10 goals in the second half. 

Brock, Camande and Cafari all kicked four in the victory. While Muller (4) hit the scoreboard for the Cobras. 

The biggest challenge for the men from Garvey Oval comes this weekend in the form of Brunswick. Will they make it six in a row or do the Wickers get themselves back on the winners list? 

Despite being inaccurate in front of goal, MHSOB came away from Round 10 with a 34 point win over Yarra Old Grammarians. The Unicorns extended the lead at every change to get back on the winners list after back-to-back losses. 

Petro Pirozek has played two games this season, either side of the Queen’s Birthday bye and been dominant for MSHOB. Can he, and Julian Eimutas through the midfield along with Ashan Wijayakumara up forward be dangerous enough against Ivanhoe AFC on Saturday?

Aquinas produced a hard-fought 39 point win over Power House to round out Round 10. After holding a 4-point lead at half time, they broke their back kicking 11 goals to 4 from then on to take the points. 

Matt Aver (6) was the focal point up forward, his season tally is now up to 15. Supported by Glennie, named the best player on the ground. 

It was a different looking Power House than the last time these sides met in Round 3. They came into the contest with a full head of steam after claiming their first win in Round 9. 

While the AFL parades the tantalising match-ups in Round 15. In Round 11 of Division 2 Men’s, every game will have a flow-on effect towards the ladder. Each club is competing against another side within 3 spots of them on the ladder. We couldn’t have a more evenly contested round coming up.