Division 2: Round 18 Preview

Anna Pavlou – @Annalyst_Sports

As we wave off home and away season 2018, let’s see how each team should fair against their round 18 opponents.

Old foes meet again in the final round of 2018, with two different stories able to unfold. UHS-VU are officially Division 2 minor premiers and Power House are officially safe from relegation but the intensity will be in full-force. They know each other’s game styles very well but UHS-VU have the one-up on the House and can use the ball cleanly, but may choose to rest some players for finals. Brandon Jackson (UHS-VU) will be also looking to add to his goal kicking tally to take home the most goals in Division 2. Power House will want to finish off 2018 on a high, but if they kick like last week, they can kiss those four points good-bye.

Eltham will be playing for pride as they exit Division 2 with only one win in 2018. Old Paradians have now officially lost top spot and may be resting for their finals campaign coming up but will be sure to draw a big crowd for their last home game. The Turtles have had a rough season but will give it all they’ve got, led by a gallant playing president Jamie Hyndman and a side who has held themselves together for the whole year. The Raiders have a lot to prove as they head into finals and this week could be a turn-around for the out-of-favour contenders.

Early this season, MHSOB and Yarra Old Grammarians were locked in a fierce battle for fourth spot on the ladder, but both sides have taken very different paths in the latter half of 2018. With the Bushrangers locked in and safe for a finals berth and MHSOB clearly safe from relegation, it may be the Unicorns who come out on top if Yarra plan to rest up before finals. MHSOB will be fired up to take the Rangers down.

Whitefriars could drop to fourth spot if they lose their final game against an up and about Bulleen Templestowe side. It’s a game of pride for the Bullants who’ll want to perform for the last time in front of their home crowd. The Friars forwards will be looking to pile on the goals to add to their big bags for 2018. Keep your eyes on Nitas (Whitefriars) in front of goal. The Bullants could take a surprise win if they take the game on from moment one and leave 2018 with a bang.

This is the game of the round with the outcome being the end of one side’s Division 2 run. Both sides had horrible losses last week that may have been tough, but definitely didn’t dampen the fire within. St Johns and Emmaus St Leos will be putting their best teams on ground for the last battle on Joc territory, with all important four points saving one team only. A draw sees Emmaus St Leos relegated due to less points. The Jocs are cleaner around the footy but if the Animals are fired up, they’ll play low footy and can beat the Jocs with their pace.