ROB POPPLESTONE
FOOTBALL
MID GIPPSLAND
By ROB POPPLESTONE
Mirboo North v Hill End
MATHEMATICALLY, even if not realistically, Mirboo North are still a chance to force their way into finals contention.
The Tigers planned for and achieved a win over Hill End on the weekend, that keeps the discussion of much better things ahead, but it will take an almighty effort despite their 14.11 (95) to 6.8 (44) win over Hill End.
Mirboo North coach Peter Mongta said: “Our 1st quarter effort was good and the scene was set for the day.”
“Some positive signs with our forward entries and multiple looks on goal with the back six setting up some good rebound footy.
“The most pleasing part about today was our young talent having a huge impact on today’s result.”
That same young talent will be invaluable into the late part of this season and beyond, while for the visiting Rovers side, you know things are not going your way when you can’t even win the coin toss.
Hill End coach Mike Santo said: “Windy day at Mirboo, really wanted to win the toss and apply some scoreboard pressure.”
“Unfortunately the exact opposite occurred and although we battled hard the damage was done early.
“The Tigers have some good young talent and were too good on the day, we get another crack at them at home in a few weeks.”
Coach Santo can always find a reason to take another step forward, but you get the feeling he can’t wait to put season 2023 away and look forward to bigger and better things in 2024.
Newborough v Tarwin
THE Bulldogs had managed to hold off all contenders throughout the course of the 2023 season, but a draw against Foster in Round 11, had Tarwin believing they were capable of going one step further.
While the both coaches and clubs have mutual respect for each others efforts both on and off the field, business is business and winning was a priority for both.
But at the end of the day, the deal was done by Newborough winning 14.15 (99) to Tarwin’s 12.4 (76).
Newborough coach Craig Skinner said: “The weekend was another South Gippsland style game with physicality being the main meal and consistency and skill being the entrée and desert.”
“After a good fast start by the small Tarwin forwards and a quarter time honesty reset we returned to a fast open game of football that returned seven goals and control of the game.
“Troy (Hemming) has a good culture and although there was a high level of contested football I feel we are getting better in the conditions and pressure levels.
“Great to see reward for effort when Liam Flahavin won the Mindful Aus Medal and put the icing on a good four-quarter game.”
The Bulldogs might be impressed with what they are starting to deliver on a weekly basis, but they are not the only ones, opposition coaches also realising there is a gap between the top of the table side and the rest.
Tarwin coach Troy Hemming said: “Newborough are the best in the comp and are all on the same road going forward.”
“What Wade Anderson has done organising the day for mental health was amazing! Well done to him!
“We had our passages that looked really good but some skills errors resulted in goals and obviously that cost us.”
Good sides will make you pay, and pay Tarwin did, but if nothing else, the Sharks walk away learning something more about an impressive Newborough side.
Fish Creek v Morwell East
IF ever Morwell East needed to go back-to-back it was on the weekend against Fish Creek.
The Hawks were sitting precariously in eighth position just a game outside of the top six sides of the competition before Round 12, but Fish Creek proved to be a bridge too far, the Kangaroos winning in a tight contest 8.8 (56) to 7.5 (47).
Morwell East coach Paul Henry said: “Unfortunately we were back on the wrong side of a close one, it was a tight tussle all day at Fish Creek. It was neck and neck in the first half.”
“We had a strong third quarter to tie up the game, coming into the last. The weather turned and it was hard to score. Fish Creek got over the line in a close one.”
That loss means the Hawks now need to win all games you would expect them to, plus one or two against the grain as well.
Fish Creek on the other hand are travelling nicely and situated perfectly for an assault come finals time.
Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker said: “It was a solid performance from us on the weekend in tough weather conditions, although Terril Park is pristine at the moment.”
“Tightly fought contest with both teams playing pretty similar game styles that turned into a matter of who wanted it more when the rain set in. So we were very pleased to come out on top.”
Fish Creek now sit in third spot on the MGFNL ladder, and although they cannot sit there “comfortably” given the evenness of the competition, their future is in their own hands as they prepare for the final third of the home and away season.
Stony Creek v Boolarra
STONY Creek had little to show for some consistent performance throughout the season, but had always indicated they would be capable of throwing another club’s season off the rails at some point in time.
Boolarra was seen as a club that might be susceptible and the Lions were well prepared to pounce, and pounce they did, winning by 16 points, 9.5 (59) to 6.7 (43).
Stony Creek coach Chris Verboon said: “The wind was intense and it felt like we played in one pocket all day. We still managed to find the open side of the ground in the first half, which gave us a good avenue to goal.”
“Our second half was disappointing. We played undisciplined footy and let them back into the game. Boolarra came home strong but we managed to hold them off and finally get a much needed win for the group.”
It was a win that was a long time coming, and you sense that there will be a few more before season’s end.
Boolarra coach Tony Giardina said: “Didn’t turn up to play in the first half and Stony made us look stupid keeping us goalless for the first half.”
“We lifted after half time and made a game of it. But couldn’t quite close the gap on such a windy day which made it hard, on such a windy day and having no bench by quarter time.”
After 25 years of coaching, with many memorable moments, Boolarra coach, Giardina has decided to call it a day, the best thing the players could do now is send the man off with a few more moments to remember.
Thorpdale v Foster
THORPDALE had already provided all that they could in the first half of the season, but were under no illusions as to their need for further improvement as they started to hone in on what was required to realise the dreams that had started to build in the minds of both players and community.
What stood in their way however was an honest and talented team of Tigers with an agenda of their own.
There was not much difference on the scoreboard but a huge impact for the Blues on the ladder, as Foster won 10.7 (67) to Thorpdale’s 9.6 (60).
Foster coach Sam Davies said: ” I was really proud of the group coming away with a hard fought win, it was a get in, get out situation where we just wanted to get the points regardless of the score.”
“Thorpdale have definitely earned respect back throughout the league, I’d be surprised if they didn’t play finals.”
There is no doubt finals will be on the Blue’s radar, but importantly Thorpdale need to regroup and be ready for the next big challenge.
Thorpdale coach Jason Winderlich said: “Really disappointing effort with an opportunity on offer to get in the top four.”
“Credit to the Foster boys, they were willing to work harder for longer in the tough conditions.
“We never got the game on our terms for long enough to put any real scoreboard pressure on.”
You would expect the pressure to continue, as the Blues now prepare for Tarwin, a side that holds one of the spots that Thorpdale desperately want.
Yinnar v Toora
THE clash of the two Magpies sides was anticipated to be pretty much a one way affair.
Yinnar although not nearly near the fine form they showed as the benchmark team of 2022, were still too proud to go down twice in a row.
The home side was always going to be a tough ask for the visiting Toora, and so it was, Yinnar winning comfortably 12.9 (81) to 3.0 (18).
Yinnar coach Daniel Taylor said: “We’re happy to be back on the winner’s list in what were some pretty ordinary conditions out at Yinnar on Saturday.”
“I thought we moved the ball well and we got back to playing the right way which is important as we have a tough run home.”
Consistency has been a problem for Yinnar, for pretty much the whole season, yet they find themselves second on the ladder, and if Yinnar can find a just a bit more, a second shot at the big prize is not out of the question.
On the other hand the Toora team, are showing glimpses that they can play some good football, but more game time for many of their players is needed to be a more competitive beast.
Toora coach Jack Weston said: “Aside from a 20-minute lapse in the second quarter, the boys were able to slow Yinnar’s ball movement down and defend the ground well.”
“Our second half saw some reward for effort on the scoreboard after we tightened up on some transitional movements which helped play the game in our half.
“We keep improving and the more exposure to senior football each player gets the better off we will be as a club.”
BYE – MDU
WITH six weeks of the 2023 season remaining, there are still up to nine, maybe even 10 teams fighting for a finals spot, Toora is not one of them, but how they finish the season may impact how the ladder looks in just over a months time.
