The Divisions 2 Men’s competition will see 18 games played across 18 rounds with a final 5 to make the finals. The competition features one of the most geographically spread competitions with regional teams from Surf Coast to the South-West of Victoria to Mornington and Southern Peninsula and all the way up to Mildura in the North-West. Division 2 Men is consistently one of the most highly contested divisions in all of Big V. It features longtime Big V associations such as Melton, Sherbrooke and Craigieburn, alongside developing ones such as Collingwood and relative new additions such as Surf Coast.
Promoted up from Division 2 after 2023 season: Altona & Whittlesea
Relegated down from Division 1 after 2023 season: Collingwood & Southern Peninsula
2024 is a season of significant interest for the Division 2 Men’s competition. Altona and Whittlesea were the dominant teams of the 2023 season, with just 4 losses between them, and their performances rightfully saw them granted promotion to Division 1 for the 2024 season.
However, coming the other way into Division 2 after being relegated from Division 1 are two champions of the recent past in Southern Peninsula (2019) and Collingwood (2017).
Southern Peninsula have a clear focus on rebuilding their squad with many young locals ready to make an impact for the Sharks. The Sharks will look for leadership from import Bryce Knox to help guide the Sharks into playoff contention in 2024.
For the All Stars from Collingwood, they return their coaching staff of Tyson Stein and Jayden Hawkes, but bring together a new squad for a new look season, many with strong connections back to the Collingwood junior program.
Of the returning teams from 2023, not too much separated 3rd to 7th, so going into 2024, the field of title contenders is wide open! Wallan have seen some changes to their 2023 lineup, one of the notable changes has been incoming Head Coach Travis Heal. His experience and success are sure to hold the team in good stead for 2024.
Meanwhile don’t sleep on Mildura. The Heat have become consistent performers toward the top of the Division 2 table but haven’t been able to get over the final hurdle in men’s competition for 11 years! There is no doubt they and others would consider themselves contenders again in 2024 and with a packed stadium for every home game at the Hothouse, mark the Heat down to be in the vicinity when the whips are cracking!
What about the Chargers of Surf Coast? The inaugural season (2022) was tough with a 3-19 record, but their move is in the right direction with an 8-10 season in 2023 and just missing their first playoff berth. Are the boys from Torquay and surrounds mature enough at this level to challenge at the top of the table?
The boys in the hills of Sherbrooke are led by a new face to the club, Ryan Rooney. It is a young group that Rooney will lead in 2024, but many with a strong history at VJBL and Big V Youth levels. With many of the leading scorers from 2023 moving on, it presents a terrific opportunity for the next group led by a handful of their experienced players to move the Suns in a positive direction up the ladder.
Mornington? With names such as former NBL player Daryl Corletto and Sam Burch moving across from Western Port in Championship Men, the experience is going to make a positive impact for the Breakers. The question to be answered in the opening rounds however will be the impact of those who are no longer with the squad for 2024.
Who is ready to bounce? Melton have had an unusual couple of years at the lower end of the table. They return most of their core, as do Craigieburn, so with several others fielding new-look teams, does the stability give Melton and Craigieburn the chance to rise? Melton it appeared had issues of depth; this may have improved via their Country Basketball League team, with some players making a big impact over the summer. For Craigieburn, the inclusion of the likes of Max Viitala with experience at NBL1 South and Championship level will surely make an immediate impact!
Where does Mornington sit in 2024? A new look Breakers against a stable Melton might give some insight into the year ahead. Maccabi heads into the 2024 season under a little mystery. Always with talent, does Maccabi make some moves back up the ladder in 2024 after a disappointing 2023 season? A matchup at Upwey against Sherbrooke gets their season underway.
Wallan makes the toughest trip in Division 2 Men in Round 1 at the Hothouse in Mildura. Two of the top sides from 2023 faceoff to open 2024. Collingwood gets to open the year down by the beautiful beaches and take on Surf Coast, whilst, on the other side of the bay, the Craigieburn Eagles face the Southern Peninsula Sharks.
One can only wonder; will the opening round create more questions than answers?
Division 2 Men is ready to tip-off on Saturday 16th March with all ten teams involved across the 5 matches.
