Division 2 Men’s pre-season script turned on its head

Close finishes, drought breaking victories and footy under lights is what graced our Division 2 clubs over the weekend.

It had been 938 days since Brunswick last tasted success, the Division 2 preliminary final of 2019. And finally, to open this season, they’re back on the winners list!

Despite the inaccuracy in front of goal they were able to bust the game open with 7 goals to 2 over the Cobras in the second term and didn’t seem troubled from there. Coach Tommy Hunter would’ve enjoyed sitting back on Saturday night getting his first taste of success in the VAFA.

He won’t be resting on his laurels as the aim will be to back up that performance this weekend against Power House to make it 2 from 2. The Cobras will lick their wounds and we can expect a stronger showing this weekend as they host Old Parade at Koonung Park.

Melbourne High School Old Boys continued where they left off in 2021 with a comfortable 76 point win over Yarra Old Grammarians. With 1 goal apiece in the opening term, 13 goals to 3 from there on set up the victory for the D2 favourites.

Last season’s leading goalkicker Ashan Wijayakumara found his way to 3 goals, while Michael Scott, in his return to the club, kicked 3 of the 4 majors for Yarra Old.

We’ll be keeping an eye on the scoring prowess of MHSOB who kicked over 100 points on 5 occasions in 2021. They’re 1 from 1 to start 2022.

Expect the clamps to be applied this weekend when Ivanhoe AFC line up against them. The Hoers themselves will be content with the way they’ve opened the season keeping Old Parade goalless for the opening 3 quarters, and only 2 goals for the match.

Despite the wet conditions across the day in Melbourne, Saturday night seemed to be prime time for the home side and for captain/coach Ash Close who banged home 7 goals in an inspired performance! There’s even some reports around that the coach may have produced some Jeremy Howe hangtime and hovered above the ground with a mark of the year contender.

Of course, the Hoers put in this performance without the high-prized recruit Scott Selwood who was at the MCG for the evening watching his brother Joel create history of his own for the Cats.

Last year VAFA.com.au highlighted the final round win from Bulleen Templestowe over Yarra Old Grammarians and the confidence the club will take out of that. Despite there being 245 days between games, they’ve now made it 2 in a row with a 34 point win over Power House.

The Ants were in the box seat at 3 quarter time with a 15 point lead, and kept Power House goalless in the final term while kicking 3 goals of their own to walk away with the points. Nadi Hamzovski, Josh Ferraina and Jack Cowell all kicked 2 apiece in the victory. They will see themselves as a genuine chance against Aquinas this weekend while Power House head to Alec Gillon Oval with the aim of stopping the Brunswick win count at 1.

The final game of the opening round was the close one, the classic that saw Aquinas victorious by 5 points over West Brunswick

In a tight see-sawing contest the lead changed hands at the end of each quarter with Aquinas finishing the better. Trailing by just 2 points at 3 quarter time, they kicked the only goal of the final quarter to seal the victory and snatch the points away from the Magpies.

Michael Di Donato and Billy O’Loughlin kicked 2 majors each for the home side. While Tommy Cottrell kicked 2 for West Brunswick.

It’ll be a hum-dinger of a contest at Aquinas College this Saturday as they host Bulleen Templestowe. The last time these sides met in 2021 Aquinas walked away with a 2 point victory.

For West Brunswick, they’re back at home on Ransford Oval against Yarra Old Grammarians and will be hoping to write the wrongs of the weekend.