Teams test their match fitness in Round 1

The gun has sounded and all 10 teams in Division 2 are off the blocks after their first game on the park in 2024. Whilst it is too soon to identify season front-runners, a number of teams have made their mark early as contenders, with Div 2 newcomers Hawthorn and Wattle Park securing commanding wins.

Round 1 kicked off at Whitefriars College where Whitefriars played host to St Mary’s Salesian. The home side got the upper hand right from the outset kicking the first major of the day and carried a lead throughout.

Skipper Max Warrick led from the front and was well-supported by Matt Dickinson and Noah Sealey who all featured in the best for the Friars. Sam Kieseker who is no stranger in front of goals booted four majors to open his 2024 campaign.

It was not to be in Round 1 for the Saints; however, the side showed much grit all the way to the final siren, peeling back the margin to just 14 points in the last quarter. Jack Contencin was deemed best afield for his side and will no doubt come out firing this weekend to help the Saints record their first 4-points on the ladder.

After a forgettable 2023 campaign, Aquinas are looking to turn the tables this season and came out firing in their Round 1 opener against Wattle Park. They had their nose out in front all the way through the main break, but the premiership quarter was where inaccuracy in front of the big sticks saw Aquinas come unstuck. Alas, they just couldn’t hold on and momentum shifted to favour the Animals who snatched the lead.

Harry Dwyer kicked 4 goals, while Josh and Sam Glennie both produced stand-out performances for the Bloods, and Hugh Schaeche was instrumental in getting the Animals over the line. Wattle Park were victorious by 22 points.

The matchup between Elsternwick and Brunswick was always going to be an interesting clash. Both sides no strangers to finals football; Elsternwick are the reining Division 3 Premiers and Brunswick made it to the Div 2 Preliminary final last season. Perhaps the unfamiliarity between the teams created a level playing field with the 4-points up for grab.

Brunswick kicked off proceedings with an early goal and continued to soar from there. They retained ascendency all afternoon with Hayden Parker putting four of their goals on the board. At the other end, the ball was shared around with Vice Captain, Spencer Hankin the only dual goal kicker. The final scoreboard read 63-84 in favour of the Nobs.

The Nobs have a fire in their belly to make it all the way to the big dance this season and will be looking to pick off the competition one by one. Meanwhile, the Wickers are not to be written off, as their experience to dig deep under pressure will serve them well in a new division.

Hawthorn hosted MHSOB at Rathmines Road Reserve on a sunny Saturday afternoon in what was an exciting match of good contest, lead changes, resilience, and plenty of goal scoring. The Unicorns had plenty of the ball early but went into the first break with a score of 5 goals 6. The door was ajar in the second and the Hawks grabbed at the opportunity to get themselves back into the game.

The Unicorns barely hanging onto a 5-point lead at half time looked to their leadership in Sean Lester (c) and Brendan Cook (vc) who were arguably two of the best for their side. Hawthorn scored 23 points to take a lead in the premiership quarter before MHSOB could hit the scoreboard. This lead continued to accelerate, culminating in a 34-point victory going the way of the Hawks. Both teams mean business are ones to watch this season.

Rounding out the first weekend of Senior football in 2024 was a clash between Bulleen Templestowe and South Melbourne Districts. Both sides were not able to catch a break last season and will be looking to find a spot in the top order early on against some new competition. It was the Bloods who had the upper hand in this match-up defeating the Bullants 89-35.

Four seems to be the number of the round in Division 2, with Aris Moustakas joining several other players to boot 4 goals in Round 1.

Looking ahead, Round 2 is sure to be a doozy. The weekend kicks off with a headline act between Brunswick and Hawthorn. After taking down Div 3 Premiers in Elsternwick, can the Nobs back it up and defeat the runners up in Hawthorn?

South Melbourne Districts travel to the home of the Unicorns at Melbourne High School to try and notch a second consecutive win, while St Mary’s Salesian will host Elsternwick.

Aquinas will come up against a familiar Whitefriars side and are looking to avenge their two losses to the Friars last season. They will need to pull out all the stops to get the better of this in-form Whitefriars side.

Rounding out the weekend, Wattle Park will face Bulleen Templestowe at Bennettswood Reserve.