Spotlight on Divisions this weekend

With the Premier sections on the second week of their double bye, it’s time for Divisional Weekend, where our Divisions step into the spotlight and there are some critical games to look out for in the race to September.

DIVISION 1 MEN’S sees league-leaders Prahran (9-2) host 3^rd placed Ormond (8-3) at DW Lucas Oval.

The hosts are on a 5-game winning streak and another victory here would see them kick two games clear of the Monders and strengthen their grip on a Top 2 finish.

But the visitors are on a 4-game winning streak of their own and are coming off thumping victories over Therry Penola and Old Yarra, so will enter with plenty of confidence. They can join Prahran at 9-3 if they can get the job done.

It’s a huge game in the race for the Top 2!

The match of the round in DIVISION 2 MEN’S is also the MATCH OF THE SEASON to date as league-leaders Brunswick (10-1) host 2^nd ranked Elsternwick (8-2-1) in a top-of-the-table showdown at Gillon Oval.

Brunswick won their first 9 before being pipped by the 3^rd placed South Melbourne Districts in Round 10 after a late snap from Oscar Watt that would have tied the scores hit the post.

The NOBs bounced back to take care of Wattle Park in Round 11 but now face the other main challenger to their premiership favouritism – Elsternwick.

The Wicks were also taken down by the Swans, who are suddenly looming large in the rear-view mirror. It was their first loss since falling to Brunswick in the opening round and they’ve been chasing the NOBs ever since.

It’s a pivotal game either way. Does Brunswick kick 2.5 games clear on top and take a huge step toward the minor premiership or can Elsternwick close the gap to just half a game with six to play?

The top 4 teams in DIVISION 3 MEN’S are all worthy contenders in 2024, with North Brunswick (10-0) currently 2 games clear of St Johns & Power House (both 8-2) and Canterbury (8-3).

This weekend’s match of the round is a golden opportunity for the fifth-placed team to narrow the gap to the leading pack.

Richmond Centrals are currently two games behind Power House and have the chance to halve that deficit and launch themselves into the Top 4 race when they roll up to Ross Gregory Oval on Saturday afternoon.

The Snakes have been taking care of the teams below them but are yet to win against one of the Top 4. There is no better time to prove their credentials than this weekend. It’s a banana-peel game for Power House, who need to take care of business to keep pace with the teams around them.

In DIVISION 1 WOMEN’S, the match of the round sees unbeaten league-leaders Old Brighton (11-0) host 3^rd placed Parkdale (6-5) at Brighton Beach Oval from 2pm.

The Tonners have swept all before them in 2024, but Parkdale will have taken some confidence from promising wins over Old Haileybury and Collegians in their last two starts.

Their Round 5 meeting turned out to be one of Old Brighton’s toughest challenges this season, with Parkdale leading by 5 points at three quarter-time before the Tonners booted the only two goals of the final term to post a hard-earned 10-point win.

Can the Vultures go one better, pull off one of the upsets of the season & throw the premiership race wide open?

It’s also first versus third in DIVISION 2 WOMEN’S as league-leaders Glen Eira/Old McKinnon (10-1) visit 3^rd placed Oakleigh (8-3) at Scammell Reserve from 9.20am.

The Gryphons sit a game-and-a-half clear of Hampton Rovers, with Oakleigh half-a-game further back, so this looms as a great opportunity for them to take a stranglehold on a Top 2 spot.

But equally, it’s a great chance for the Krushers to close the gap and make a statement with a month remaining in the home & away season.

The Gryphons have been repeatedly challenged in recent weeks but, as good teams do, have found ways to win.

Oakleigh arrive on the back of two dominant performances where they held their opponents goalless. In fact, the Krushers have kicked 11.14 to 0.3 across their last two starts!

With Whitefriars lurking one game back in fifth (and similar percentage), it’s an important game for the visitors. It promises to be a beauty!

The Top 4 teams in DIVISION 3 WOMEN’S have opened a 2-game gap on Old Carey in fifth, but there are two games that will impact the complexion of that Top 5 this weekend.

2^nd placed De La Salle (8-3) host 4^th placed Box Hill North (7-4) in a huge game at Waverley Oval East Malvern from 9.20am. An away win for the Demons would see them join De La at 8-3 and potentially even leapfrog them into second position.

But if the hosts can bounce back from their last-start loss to Old Carey, they will keep the heat on league-leaders Therry Penola and solidify their position inside the Top 4.

Particularly given the other mouth-watering match-up of the weekend sees 3^rd placed La Trobe (8-3) host 5^th placed Old Carey (5-6).

The Panthers raised some eyebrows when they knocked off De La Salle last round, courtesy of a powerful second quarter which set up a match-winning lead.

It snapped a 3-game losing streak that saw them lose touch with the chasing pack, making this week’s visit to La Trobe all the more important. Win here and they may move back within one game of the Top 4 if Box Hill North can’t get over De La Salle.

La Trobe have bounced back superbly from their Round 7 smacking at the hands of Therry Penola. Since then, they’ve won 4 straight with a couple of thrilling one-kick wins and an impressive victory over Wattle Park last start.

It could well be ‘moving weekend’ in Division 3 Women’s! The only question is who is on the rise?

DIVISION 4 WOMEN’S has been dominated by St Kevin’s, who have compiled a perfect 9-0 record to sit two games clear of MCC & Kew, with Albert Park one game further back in fourth.

The match of the round pits third against fourth as Kew (7-4) host Albert Park (6-4) at Victoria Park (Kew) from 11.40am Saturday.

The Bears enjoyed a thumping win over St Marys Salesian last start, snapping a 3-game losing streak that threatened to derail their campaign. Now they get the opportunity to put a 2-game gap on Albert Park and remain in the hunt for a Top 2 finish.

But the Falcons had a massive win last start as well, keeping Old Yarra scoreless while booting 9.18 themselves.

Can they continue that dominance and jump over Kew into third spot?

It promises to be a fantastic weekend of Divisional footy across the VAFA with so many season-defining contests.

Keep up-to-date with all the live scores and the latest news at VAFA.com.au