EFL Media’s Matt Fotia previews all the action in Division 2. Make sure you get involved this weekend by using the #EFLDIV2 hashtag and tweeting us @footyefl.
Upper Ferntree Gully (7th, 6-8, LWW) v Croydon (5th, 6-8, LWW)
Coming out of Division Three last season, to still be in the hunt for finals is a magnificent achievement.
The Upper boys have done this by keeping as many of its encounters as tight as possible. Only top of the table Knox have a better defensive record. The back six is led by classic key defender Liam Gellie and it is the base that Upper build its game on.
Moving forwards, Rowan More remains the key man with 39 goals, however the manner his side is currently playing has limited him to just four goals in the last three games. If Upper do want to make and impact finals another avenue to goal will have to be discovered.
Croydon, like this week’s opponents have crept up on the top four after its demolition of namesake Waverley.
The Blues are the best of the rest (Fifth to Eighth) with ball in hand in more ways than one.
Not only are Croydon more or less as offensively strong as third placed Mooroolbark. The Blues should be just as excited about that as they are about the youth pushing through its senior side.
Best on Ground last week, Adrian Ficorilli is still part of Croydon’s Under 19 side as is Harrison Dempster, whilst Riley Britton and Luke Styles were part of the Under 19 set up in 2016.
Win this weekend and either side could find themselves right amongst it. Lose and it’s another gallant effort in 2017.
Last Time: Croydon 9.13.67 def UFTG 9.7.61
Hore kicked four, whilst the Blues showed flexibility with nine goalkickers.
Knox (1st, 13-1, WLW) v Mooroolbark (3rd, 8-6, WLL)
Out run and out hassled by Doncaster East a fortnight ago, Knox survived a close one in a battle of the Falcons last week.
Knox have developed their game over the last three years. Always solid defensively (Number 1 in the Division this season), Knox has begun to spread its wings this seasons with the added luxury of being a big side in Division Two.
What has helped this cause is the creativity up forward they have added. Harrison Greaves (23 goals) and Jayden Duman (24 goals) have been consistent, as has Jordan Damatopolous who has a goal a game as a small forward. That’s a good return.
This time two weeks ago Mooroolbark had a chance to pull away from Lilydale and the rest to consolidate its place in the Top Four.
Losses to Waverley and Wantirna South have not seen them drop down the table, but the danger of not playing finals is very very real.
Statistically the danger signs appear more evidently. The Mustangs are only better than Croydon and Mitcham in defence (of the Top Eight) and have the fourth best attack, only marginally better than Croydon. If Talevski (45 goals) doesn’t fire Mooroolbark look a lot easier to reel in for those waiting patiently outside the four.
Last Time : Mooroolbark 11.6.72 def by Knox 12.11.83
Greaves Five, Damatopolous Three, Talevski Three.
Lilydale (4th, 7-7, LLL) v Mitcham (8th, 6-8, WLL)
It’s been a tough month for Lilydale. Four back to back losses sees the Falcons just one game (and considerable percentage) clear in fourth.
There are positives though. In both attack and defence Lilydale are the third best side in the competition and they proved it last weekend taking top of the table Knox deep, falling just four points short.
The return of lock down defender Zak Kennedy and swingman Callum Morrison are big plusses, whilst Captain and Vice Captain Dean Carswell and Jarrod Healy are another week closer.
In regards to this weekend, the Dales have a strong record over the Tigers and they’ll need to keep it if they’re to break out of this rut.
Talking stats, the Tigers are the worst side still in the finals hunt. Offensively they are only better than notoriously low scoring Upper Ferntree Gully ( disregarding Mulgrave and Waverley). Combine this with a defence that is only better than the two bottom sides it’s impressive that Mitcham are still alive in 2017.
But there lies the Tigers strength.Inconsistency. With names such as; Hoegel(x2), Petracca (x2), McCubbin(x2) and Parente, the Tigers are dangerous on its day. The return of Lachlan Rudd is a boost to the backline, as his side enter what is a season defining game.
Last Time: Mitcham 11.12.78 def by Lilydale 21.12.138
Zak Kennedy BOG. Healy and Carswell good. Rudd the Tigers best, whilst Parente kicked a third of Mitcham’s score.
Waverley Blues (10th, 2-12, LWL) v Doncaster East (2nd, 12-2, WWW)
Despite showing improved form of late nothing is going the Blues way in season 2017. Even when knocking off third placed Mooroolbark , its closest rival Mulgrave won as well.
Will Edwards has been strong for his side all year, especially in recent weeks. In the best six weeks on the bounce, Edwards’ best performance came in Waverley’s win against the Mustangs which he capped off with a. goal.
The Blues are still alive but only just.
In stark contrast are Doncaster East. Only two words can describe the Lions at the moment. In form. The only side in Division Two to win its last three games, many believe at full strength they are the team to beat.With players like McLean, Batsanis(x2), Gordon(x2) running around it is hard to argue with.
Statistically they are the strongest team going forwards (1295 points), almost 100 points points better off than second best Knox (1199). It is the Lions spread of goal kicking options that creates this threat. Tom Gordon has 35 for year and is a clear focal point, but with Nick Batsanis (16), Sholakis(12), McLean (11), Whitling (11) and Locke (11). Add in Jake Summers (16) and Michael Steven (12) and the Lions can only get better.
Told you it was impressive.
Last Time: Doncaster East 17.14.116 def Waverley Blues 10.6.66
11 Lions goalkickers, Nick Bastanis nailed four in a BOG performance.
Wantirna South (6th, 6-8, WLW) v Mulgrave (9th, 4-10, LWL)
Almost dead and buried a month ago the Devils have appeared from nowhere to now be the popular choice to usurp Lilydale’s fourth spot.
The Devils have kept things tight in recent weeks, whether it be by design or not and it appears to have worked. Conceding scores of 57(v Mitcham), 62( v Lilydale), 27(v UFTG) and 36 (v Mooroolbark) in the month of July has reaped three out of four wins. The loss coming against Upper Gully, who to be fair are kings of the low scoring tussle.
The Devils have got a blue print and so far it’s working.
Mulgrave are basically assured of retaining its Division Two status for 2018. Mulgrave now have a chance to look towards its future.
A player for said future down at Mulgrave Reserve is current Under 19 captain James Verde. The slight midfielder debuted for the senior club back in 2015 against Doncaster and since has show great promise in the Under 19s. Verde has played two games in the Reserves this season and found himself in the best players both times.
The next month is a great chance to blood youth and help its development for season 2018.
Last Time: Mulgrave 12.9.81 def by Wantirna South 16.16.112
Wantirna South came home in the second half in an unusually high scoring game.
