Welcome to Finals in Division 2 Men’s

Division 2 Men’s home and away season concluded on the weekend. We bid farewell to six sides in 2022. Two of which will be competing in Division 3 in 2023. For Ivanhoe AFC, West Brunswick, Old Paradians and Brunswick, the next chapter of the season starts this Saturday.

Before we look ahead, looking back on the weekend. It was West Brunswick who kept the winning streak going. Since the heartbreak of an after the siren loss to Brunswick in Round 7 they have gone on an 11 game winning streak and come into this week full of confidence. On Saturday, after quarter time, the Magpies dismantled Old Paradians. 12 goals to four from the first change signalled their intent to the rest of the competition. Luke Buckler (3) has kicked 10 goals from his past four outings and is in red hot form in front of the sticks. Josh Elston has featured in the best on five of the last six matches.

Three weeks ago they got a taste of Ivanhoe AFC, beating them by 33 points on that occasion. This weekend, for a spot in the Grand Final it will be a different looking Hoers that they come up against, but they are certainly the best placed side to compete with the ladder leaders.

Old Paradians will have to win the title from fourth if they’re to be successful. Going into the weekend they were a slim chance of taking second spot of the Magpies but I’m sure deep down knew they would be facing Brunswick this weekend regardless of the result. In the sides most recent clash it was the green, blue and purple monster winning a heartstopper against NOBS. Will history repeat itself this weekend? For the winner, a spot in the Preliminary Final awaits.

Brunswick started the year in a blaze of glory, coming down from Division 1 and making every post a winner. Perhaps there was a bit of a slowing through the winter grind but they’ve come out the other side in red hot form. Having won five games from their last six matches, the weekend may have been the most complete performance for them. Holding Manningham scoreless for the day and having 37 scoring shots themselves. Tom Wilson (6) holds the key for NOBS, 51 goals for the season. Old Paradians in previous match ups have held him to one goal in each match. If Brunswick are to advance in finals, he needs more than one look at the sticks.

Manningham Cobras have had a long year and will next year compete in Division 3. A big off-season coming, a couple of new fresh recruits and the wheel can turn quickly in their favour. The same can be said for Power House who haven’t stopped trying all season long. After being level with MHSOB at quarter time, the Unicorns broke away after quarter time to win by 30 points. As we have said many times throughout this year, and confirmed on Saturday night, Ben Circosta has claimed the clubs best and fairest player for 2022. Due credit to him for fronting up every week and putting in strong performances.

MHSOB have fallen short of playing finals, they’ve finished the year in fifth spot and will see some opportunities throughout the year as missed ones. The Unicorns are a proud football club and will be eager to avenge for missing out on the top four in 2023.

Aquinas maintained a gap on Yarra Old Grammarians throughout the afternoon and finished their year off with a 23 point win. Josh Robertson (3) and Josh Clinton (3) were focal points in the forward line while for the Bushrangers Michael Scott (3) finished the year with 30 goals next to his name at an average of three goals a game. Like Ben Circosta at Power House, he’s been a significant recruit for Yarra and will feature highly in the clubs best and fairest count.

Both of these sides have fronted up every week and Yarra Old Grammarians have avoided relegation winning one more game than both Manningham and Power House, will therefore be part of the Division 2 make up in 2023.

The ladder leaders and minor premiers, Ivanhoe AFC didn’t have it all their own way against Bulleen Templestowe. Had it not been for inaccuracy in front of goal the Ants may have stolen this game from the Hoers. Both sides finished the day with 18 scoring shots apiece. Ivanhoe AFC, 10 points ahead at the final siren. Billy Drake (3) has taken out the Division 2 sharpshooters award with 59 goals for the season, beating his coach, Ash Close (2) by a solitary goal.

Jordan Andonovski has had a stellar season and could feature prominently when the seasons votes are counted in a few weeks time. For Bulleen Templestowe, a year of rebuilding doesn’t leave them at all disgraced. Winning six matches and being competitive in many others, they’re on the right track to move up the ladder in 2023.

Looking ahead to this weekend, a spot in the Grand Final awaits Ivanhoe AFC and West Brunswick. The two sets of Magpies will clash, which one harnesses the spirit of the AFL Magpies side? We can’t wait to find out. While for Brunswick and Old Paradians, there is no tomorrow in their respective seasons. Can Tommy Hunter at NOBS curtail the green, blue and purple monster? You’ll have to make your way out to Downer Oval to find out.