FOOTBALL

MID GIPPSLAND

By ROB POPPLESTONE

 

ROUND 18 marked the end of the home-and-away season in Mid Gippsland football for all.

However, now the ‘real’ season starts for some.

Thirteen clubs has become 6, which will get smaller and smaller until only one is left standing as premiers of season 2024.

 

Thorpdale 15.9 (99) def Morwell East 8.6 (54)

THORPDALE’S resolve had been tested in the past fortnight, with the serious injury to coach Jason Winderlich still very much front and centre in their thoughts.

On that basis alone, the Blues should be commended for manfully, both as a team and as a club, fronting up and doing their very best, a trait that has been their mantra for the last few years.

Morwell East no doubt have empathy for the Blues predicament, but also knew they had a job to do at the weekend.

With this in mind, the end result perhaps left question marks dangling over the Hawks heading into finals.

Thorpdale, out of contention, was too strong, winning by better than seven goals, 15.9 (99) to 8.6 (54).

Blues coach Ray Pickering said it was great to see out the year with a win over quality opposition.

“An excellent way to end a tumultuous season that promised so much in the preseason and a very emotional last two weeks for obvious reasons,” he said.

“Plenty of excellent passages of football against a finals-bound side which gives the club some momentum and a positive outlook on season 2025.”

Thorpdale were almost as close as you can get to finals contention without claiming the opportunity, finishing just half-a-game outside the top six.

On the other hand, just a month ago, Morwell East sat atop the ladder, but now, after three losses in succession, limp into the first week of finals.

Hawks coach Paul Henry is hoping it won’t be a tame finals exit.

“I feel the boys were in preservation mode ahead of our finals campaign,” he said.

“We take on Newborough again after only playing them a couple of weeks ago. Finals footy, what else would you rather be doing.”

Not many would have predicted this matchup this early, Morwell East play Newborough in the Elimination Final B on Sunday (August 25) at Willow Grove Recreation Reserve.

 

Mirboo North 3.3 (21) def by Fish Creek 25.22 (172)

HOSTING the reigning premier on your home deck might not have been the Tigers first choice to finish off a long and demanding season, but there is no doubt that Mirboo North were encouraged to play with some freedom and enjoy their last round of football for 2024.

The Kangaroos on the other hand, used the afternoon to put some finishing touches on their preparations prior to their finals campaign.

That campaign appears as though it is set to reach some lofty heights, after Fish Creek beat Mirboo North 25.22 (172) to 3.3 (21).

Fish Creek coach Jarrad Walker commended his troops.

“A very pleasing game from our end. Set out to tidy a few things up defensively and get some chemistry between our midfield and forwards as well as our backs to tighten up and defend first,” he said.

“We were able to tick those aspects of our game off for four quarters which was a positive. A well earned week off next week, but looking forward to getting to Toora to support our reserves and netball teams. Then come in raring to go for our first final.”

The Tigers were at the mercy of the Kangaroos from the very first bounce, not scoring for the first 30 minutes and down 81 to one at the main break.

Mirboo North coach Damien Turner didn’t lament on what occurred at the weekend, choosing to focus on what’s to come next for the Tigers.

“Tough and disappointing way to close out the season. Fish Creek came to play, beat us on all fronts and looked very sharp heading into finals,” he said.

“We finish the year now, but to have such an exciting young core group which is really exciting. Bigger and better for 2025.”

 

Newborough 17.10 (112) def Toora 9.6 (60)

TWO teams that were bringing some pretty impressive form to the table met at the Kennel, in what loomed, in some ways at least, as a perfect preparation for Newborough prior to their first final.

The Magpies are honest and aggressive and would ensure that the Bulldogs knew they were in for a game of football.

Newborough prevailed 17.10 (112) to 9.6 (60).

Some late unknowns provided Bulldogs coach Craig Skinner with some questions heading in.

“We had five changes and a Toora side that wanted a scalp had me nervous but the boys stood tall and got the game on our terms after quarter time,” he said.

“No injuries were a highlight and we will now reset for another battle with Morwell East Sunday.”

After successive grand final defeats, the courage that the Bulldogs have shown to fight their way into a position for a third attempt carries with it some intrigue.

Unlike the last two years, Newborough does not have the double chance, but may well relish this given what has happened in the past.

Toora did what they could, an early lead slowly whittled away.

Magpies coach Jack Weston echoed that.

“It was another game where the score line blew out late,” he said.

“Yet again we were really competitive against a side heading where we want to be. Envious of all sides playing over the next few weeks.”

 

Stony Creek 7.10 (52) def Yinnar 5.12 (42)

AS fate would have it, all but one match (MDU versus Foster) would have a finals contender up against a side from outside the six, and each of the clubs with no pressure and no expectation was capable of stealing a victory to finish off their season.

Yinnar were acutely aware of what the Lions were capable of, and were prepared for a spirited opposition. The Magpies however were caught short in a surprise 10 point loss to the home side 7.10 (52) to 5.12 (42).

Stony Creek coach Chris Verboon was thrilled by his teams’ effort.

“It was an awesome effort by our boys to get over the line against a quality opponent,” he said.

“We have threatened teams all year but haven’t been able to play four quarters. We knew we had to be at our best to win and 21 blokes played a good hard game of footy. Good luck to Yinnar in the finals.”

The Magpies remain second on the ladder, only percentage separating them from both Fish Creek above and Foster below, but their focus will no doubt be on what they can control.

Yinnar coach Sam McCulloch wasn’t impressed with the result, but it’s all eyes forward.

“Disappointing way to finish the home and away season, but full credit to Stony Creek, they came to play and we really let ourselves down in a number of areas,” he said.

“We identified these post game and will make sure we sharpen up over the next few weeks and prepare ourselves to be ready for Fish Creek.”

 

Tarwin 14.18 (102) def Hill End 3.8 (26)

THE Sharks were coming off a touch up at the hands of Toora in Round 17, and were expecting a visiting Hill End side to arrive keen to secure just their second win of the year.

However, with the Rovers short of their best personnel available and Tarwin keen to rebound, it was all the home side in a comfortable 14.18 (102) to 3.8 (26) win.

Tarwin coach Jason Kennedy was glad to finish off the year on a high.

“We hosted our final game for the season against Hill End and the boys from both the reserves and seniors didn’t disappoint,” he said.

“Our ladies enjoyed the sunshine celebrating their ladies day, whilst raising funds for local charity The Orange Door.

“It was a positive day for all and a great way to finish off a well fought season.”

The Sharks may have been a few wins short of finals contention, but provided great competition for every opponent, every week, as did, for the most part, the Rovers, who through lack of personnel found themselves limping towards the end of the season.

Hill End coach Ambu Uliando clung to positive sentiments from what was a difficult year.

“I’m proud of the boys’ effort for the last game of the year. We were very short in the seniors and reserves and had seven players double up and play both games and multiple players pushing through injury. Tarwin just ran us ragged,” he said.

 

MDU 10.6 (69) def by Foster 11.11 (77)

PRE-GAME, there was every chance that these two clubs would meet again in the Elimination Final this weekend.

The inevitable question was do coaches nurture their players through the afternoon? Do they trial any plays or the tagging of players? How much do they learn about their opposition and particular players and still get what they need to bring their very best in another seven days’ time?

The result was that Foster got the points and perhaps a psychological advantage with an 11.11 (77) to 10.9 (69) win.

Foster coach Sam Davies was thrilled with their finish pre-finals.

“Really happy with the group’s efforts to finish equal top after the home-and-away season – we really only had one off day throughout the season which hurt us in the end,” he said.

“We now saddle up and play Meeniyan again next week… I thought they were on top for a lot of the day but we found a way and played a great 20 minutes to create a big enough lead and held on.”

The evenness of the competition means that the Tigers finished third, just percentage behind both second-placed Yinnar and top-of-the-table Fish Creek, but it also means they play in an elimination final rather than an opportunity for a direct route to the 2025 MGFNL Grand Final – even the smallest things matter.

MDU coach Nathan Allen quickly turned one eye to this week.

“The weekend was a great preview of what the finals will be like. Really tight game all day with plenty of momentum swings,” he said.

“Foster were able to convert when going forward better than us at the end of the day and get the win.

“We are all really looking forward to finals footy next week… it will be a tight battle across the ground and whoever can take their opportunities up forward will move on.”

 

BYE – Boolarra.