EFL Media’s Tim Fitzsimons previews all the weekend’s action in Division 2. Make sure you get involved this weekend by Tweeting us, @footyefl using the #EFLDIV2 hashtag.
CROYDON v WAVERLEY BLUES
It’s the battle of the Blues this week at Croydon Oval as both Croydon and Waverley head into this round 14 clash full of confidence following impressive wins last weekend.
Croydon were able to keep their very slim finals hopes alive last week by holding Mitcham scoreless in the final term and running over the tigers to record a 22-point victory at home.
The Blues cannot afford any hiccups from here on if they are to be a part of September action and will look for the likes of Matt Wilkins and Justin Ficorilli to step up once again this week, both of whom were outstanding in last weeks win.
The Waverley Blues finally broke through for their second victory of the season by upsetting premiership fancies in Mooroolbark on the back of two narrow losses in the proceeding weeks.
They will be looking to continue their improved form into the final stretch of games to possibly avoid relegation at seasons end.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
ROUND FIVE
WAVERLEY BLUES 12.5.77 def. CROYDON 11.9.75
It was an absolute thriller when these sides met back in round five with Waverley holding off Croydon to record their first victory of the season.
A four goal final quarter from Croydon wasn’t enough to run over Waverley with Mark Engley booting five for the winners.
Ewan Wadsworth and Kyle Maher did their best to prevent the loss for Croydon, both having strong games.
MOOROOLBARK v WANTIRNA SOUTH
Mooroolbark will be desperate to get back on the winners list this week when they host Wantirna South at Heights Reserve.
The Mustangs would be extremely disappointed with last weekend’s performance, going down to Waverley Blues who had won just one previous game in 2017.
It was a missed opportunity them to lock in a finals spot with Lilydale and Mitcham also going down last Saturday.
Wantirna South’s season is on the line this week after last week’s low scoring loss to Upper Gully.
In a game with just five goals kicked between the two sides, the Devils fell 14 points short of Upper Gully despite keeping them goalless in the first half.
This match is vital for both sides with Mooroolbark hoping to bounce back from last week and solidify their spot inside the top four and the Devils needing a win to keep their faint finals hopes alive.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
ROUND FIVE
WANTIRNA SOUTH 10.11.71 def. by MOOROOLBARK 12.11.83
Kire Talevski was the difference back in round five ramming home seven majors for the Mustangs in a two-goal win.
In a tight game, Mooroolbark lead at every change to come away with the victory despite the best efforts of Lincoln Wong who booted four goals for the Devils and Jake Denes who also had a strong game.
MULGRAVE v UPPER FERNTREE GULLY
Two sides looking to back up hard-fought victories last week meet at Mulgrave Reserve this Saturday, one hoping to keep their very slim finals hopes alive while the other will be trying to finish off the season strongly.
Mulgrave have been impressive in the past few weeks winning two of their last three games with a respectable nine-point loss to premiership aspirant Doncaster East.
Their 23-point triumph over Lilydale is a nice scalp for the Lions, kicking away in the final term to record the win.
Upper Gully have also had a fairly good past month winning three of the last five games concluding with a low scoring 14-point victory over Wantirna South last week.
However, their form away from home this season hasn’t been great winning just one game on the road suggests it will be a tough task travelling to Mulgrave and knocking off the Lions.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
ROUND FIVE
UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 19.15.129 def. MULGRAVE 8.4.52
Mulgrave were no match for Upper Gully, going down by 77 points at Kings Park back in round five.
Upper Gully lead from the outset on route to a resounding win with Rowan Hore and Carmine Porcaro combining for nine goals between them.
Seb Henderson could hold his head high with a solid performance for Mulgrave whilst young forward Tom McGowan slotted three goals.
MITCHAM v DONCASTER EAST
Doncaster East will try and continue on from last weeks hammering of the previously undefeated Knox last weekend when they face Mitcham at Walker Park.
The Lions were extremely impressive in their top of the table clash with the Falcons, controlling the majority of the game in their ten-goal win.
Mitcham will have to find away to nullify the influence of the Batsanis brothers who ran riot against Knox with Nick also hitting the scoreboard kicking five goals.
Inconsistency has plagued the Tigers season and their 22-point loss to Croydon last week highlights their up and down year.
Mitcham have been unable to string more than two wins together in 2017 and they will need to do so if they are to play a part in September.
An upset win over the Lions will go along way to keeping their season alive. A weak percentage ensures the need to build up wins and stay in touch with the top four.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
ROUND FIVE
DONCASTER EAST 14.14.98 def. MITCHAM 8.10.58
Doncaster East came away with a convincing 40-point victory back in round five with a solid display at home.
After a fairly tight first half, the Lions were too strong for Mitcham as they ran over the Tigers in the second half to win comfortably in the end.
Michael Steven and Rami Ayoubi were terrific for the Lions whilst Zak Mccubbin lead the way for the visitors.
KNOX v LILYDALE
The division 2 falcons meet at Knox Gardens Reserve on Saturday, both out to rectify disappointing performances last round.
Knox have been impressive all year up until last week’s 1st v 2nd clash with Doncaster East where they came away 59-point losers.
Their goal kicking was one of their biggest flaws on the day kicking 7.20 and despite the heavy loss, actually had an extra scoring shot.
Goal kicking has been a worry in their past three games and they will be looking to correct this in the lead up to finals.
Lilydale were perhaps even more disappointing last week, falling away in the last quarter to fall 23 points shy of Mulgrave.
In what was a close encounter for three quarters, the Falcons missed a vital opportunity to jump into third place and kick clear inside the top four due to Mooroolbark and Mitcham both suffering losses.
A big scalp is exactly what Lilydale need to solidify a top four birth so this clash with Knox looms as a very intriguing contest.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
ROUND FIVE
LILYDALE 7.11.53 def by KNOX 9.7.61
It was Knox who were able to get the chocolates in their previous encounter but they were definitely made to work for it.
Lilydale lead at both the first and last break but were held goalless in the last quarter and Knox was able to sneak home by eight points.
Ryan Johnson, Mitchell Tsirtsikos and Ashley Black lead from the front in the hard fought win whilst Lachlan Wilson bagged three goals for Lilydale.
