FOOTBALL
MID GIPPSLAND
Hill End will vie for its fifth consecutive victory when it travels to Boolarra to battle the Demons for the Reg Bacon Hill End/Boolarra Club Challenge shield, in round seven of Mid Gippsland football.
After its 31-point win over Morwell East, Hill End is now sitting on even points with Boolarra, as well as Newborough, and a win on Saturday will strengthen its top five spot. The Hillmen’s impressive run eclipses last year’s poor season, but the side faces a tough test against Boolarra. After last week’s loss to Mirboo North, Boolarra co-captain Jordan Cargill said the group would work on their contested ball and improving accountability.
“We came out a bit flat (against Mirboo North), we need to make sure we get a good start,” Cargill said.
Mirboo North v Thorpdale
Thorpdale takes on a Mirboo North team which has gone from strength to strength in recent weeks.
These teams play for the Bright/St Ellen trophy awarded in memory of Tim Bright and Rod St Ellen.
Mirboo North coach Troy Hamilton said his side was looking forward to facing an improved Thorpdale unit.
Thorpdale coach Brett Sherriff said his team needed to work on playing consistent quarters, because when they dropped off against good sides they would kick big scores in short spaces of time. The Blues will need to avoid skill errors and easy turn overs as Mirboo North has proved it can quickly capitalise on opportunities.
YYN v Yinnar
After a mixed start to the season Yinnar is working its way back to consistent form and will look to make it two-in-a row when it meets Yallourn/Yallourn North.
YYN coach Rick Hearn said the Bombers could be without forward Barry Brooks again this week who is still recovering from a sore achilles.
Hearn said if his team could get their first win they would grow in confidence and more wins would follow. “Winning gives confidence and once you have confidence the team plays differently,” Hearn said.
He said the Bombers would focus on keeping their concentration levels up for the entire match.
“If you just have that concentration lapse for three to four minutes the good teams kick three or four goals… and before you know it, it’s 10 goals,” he said. The Magpies proved against Thorpdale last week they know how to make the most of those lapses, so the Bombers will have to be on guard.
Newborough v Morwell East
Morwell East is hoping to take a big scalp on Saturday when it meets Newborough. `The Hawks came close to beating the Bulldogs last year and missed out on a draw after a shot on the siren fell short.
Hawks coach Paul Henry will take confidence knowing his side can “play good footy against them”.
“We need to knock someone off, we need to pinch a win from a good side,” Henry said. “We couldn’t do it last year and we need to do it this year. With any luck we’ll stick to it and see how we go.”
The Bulldogs have moved into third position and will not give up the spot without a fight.
Yarragon v Trafalgar
The Waterloo Cup will be up for grabs when Yarragon takes on Trafalgar.
The Bloods proved they can easily find an avenue to goal, with 11 goal kickers last week in their 89-point thrashing of YYN.
On the other side, avenues to goal have proved a problem for Yarragon, as has its slow starts.
The Panthers will need to ensure they are switched on from the start if they want to match Trafalgar for the remaining three quarters.
The Bloods will be pleased to have moved up to second position, and with a healthy percentage separating themselves and top placed Mirboo North the side will show no mercy if they have a chance to achieve a percentage-boosting margin.
