FOOTBALL
MID GIPPSLAND
By MITCH BERCHREE
AFTER six rounds of the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League, the ladder is starting to take some shape.
Five of the top six places are owned by sides who played finals last year, with the single change seeing Tarwin grabbing the sixth spot Boolarra had last season.
Foster look to have a march on the rest, racking up some huge scores and remain the only undefeated side in the competition.
Such has their scoring been, they almost have a two game lead as even if they drop a game, which hasn’t looked likely all year, the second-placed side will still need to match their percentage.
The battle for the coveted second spot remains wide open, with up to four sides having realistic claim to the double chance at season’s end.
Two of these sides went head-to-head last Saturday, and produced the kind of footy worthy of such a position.
Fish Creek 16.12 (108) def Yinnar 16.7 (103)
FISH Creek prevailed in an instant Mid Gippsland classic over Yinnar by just five points at the weekend.
The weather and crowd at Yinnar provided a finals like feel, and so too did the footy played between these two terrific sides.
Despite looking to have the game wrapped up several times, Fish Creek had to scrap and fight to the very last second to hold on for the result.
In fact, the Creek led at every change and had what could almost be considered a safe four goal lead heading into the last term, before holding out a fast finishing Magpie side 16.12 (108) to 16.7 (103).
The game promised plenty and didn’t fail to deliver, despite Yinnar captain Ben Cheffers consigned to the runners role and Fish Creek’s cult hero William McTaggart not taking the park.
In Cheffers’ absence, James Jacobsen set the tone at the first bounce with a huge tackle that saw Yinnar into attack inside the first few seconds.
Despite Yinnar having the first two scores of the game, it was Fish Creek’s Levi Cocksedge who kicked the opener after some excellent work up field from Jack Davis, who found himself in the best for the Kangaroos.
When a Blake Van Der Meer turnover saw Charlie Wilson pop up for the first of his five for the day, the visitors were up and running, leading two goals to none early.
Desperate to open its account, Mick Geary snapped truly from a boundary stoppage to get things underway for Yinnar after nearly 20 minutes of toil.
His partner in crime, Kane Grinstead-Jones, was awarded a 50 metre penalty after a strong mark, and Yinnar looked to have done enough to lead at the first break.
Enter first gamer Mason Thomson.
It is fair to say when he took possession of the ball at the 23 minute mark on the last line of defence, the last thing on his mind was a goal.
After a pair of 50m penalties however, the young fella found himself 35m out directly in front. When he kicked truly, he was swamped by his teammates, and with the siren sounding shortly thereafter, the travelling team went into their huddle with their noses just in front.
And what a couple of huddles they were! They travelled on-masse the Kangas and as per usual, the Yinnar huddle was six to eight deep as the locals listened in to what coach Sam McCulloch had to say.
I suspect McCulloch would have been impressed with the work of Jacobsen early and Sam Walsh who had plenty of it across half back.
At the Kanga’s huddle, coach Jarrod Walker surely heaped praise on the Weidemann boys and Luke Williams who were in everything.
In a game that ebbed and flowed between freewheeling footy and absolute brutality at times, the second quarter saw Fish Creek bang on six of the best with Yinnar managing four of their own in a quarter of footy that had it all.
Firstly, it was the Kangaroos’ Williams who goaled, then after a two bounce run from half back Harri McColl, who was named best on for the Magpies, found Geary who kicked his second from a trademark strong overhead grab.
Charlie Wilson took advantage of another Yinnar half back turnover to snap truly, before Will Robertson finished off the good work of Seb Famularo for another to Yinnar.
The sides swapped goals again before Fish Creek went back to back through Wilson and Tim Gavenlock.
The Creek were taking advantage of their centre clearance dominance. They won this 11 to one in the second term according to Gippsland FM’s Sam Crane, and were it not for Grinstead Jones slotting a late one for the Magpies, the damage would have been greater than the 22-point margin Fish Creek took to the main change.
Grinstead-Jones marked on the goal line to open the third term. Some ill-discipline however saw a free kick paid behind the ball to Fish Creek before
Grinstead-Jones could take his kick. The subsequent foray forward saw Davis get involved again and slot his second for the day. It was a classic two goal turnaround and the lead was as good as five goals.
Yinnar needed to make a stand, and what better way to reduce the margin than back to back goals without the ball being bounced.
Tom Roberston, who was excellent all day, kicked a goal and let his opponent Jarrod Walker know about it.
Walker wasn’t going to walk away and let Roberston know exactly what he thought of his carry on.
Umpire Scotty Baker then let Walker know exactly what he thought of his response to Robertson, and awarded Grinstead-Jones another kick without the ball going back to the middle.
All of a sudden, the Magpies had the momentum and the margin was back to a manageable one.
When Harvey McKay, who played what may have been his best ever senior game, kicked a goal of the day contender which was followed up by another by Geary, the margin was better than manageable and the Magpies loomed large.
As if recognising the moment, Jack Wiedemann inserted himself into the game.
Weidemann, who continues to impress week in week out, took the grab and goaled to settle the Fish Creek ship after some good work up field by Gavenlock.
This was followed up by a goal to Mitch Hicks of Fish Creek, who benefitted from the good work of hard nut Williams.
And when Jack Wiedemann kicked his second for the term to send the travelling team to the last break with a neat four goal margin, they were almost safe. Almost.
The last quarter was an amazing contest.
Players from both sides crashed in. They tackled hard, an amazing 41 laid by the two sides in the last term alone. They ran and they battled it out right until the final siren.
No quarter was asked and none was given.
Geary kicked two for the term, Will Roberston got his second and McKay got the second of his goals after smashing into a pack gathering the loose footy and storming into the open goal.
The margin was now only two goals and there was still plenty of time on the clock.
But you know who stepped up when he was needed? Again? Jacko Weidemann, of course.
This time he turned provider and set up Wilson who kicked his fifth and final for the day.
The margin was 18 points, and Fishy Creek was now surely safe. Surely? Geary said no.
He marked 35m out, literally ran backwards to save time and kicked truly.
Lachlan Platt, who had been quiet most of the day, stepped up and repeated the dose.
A rushed behind saw the margin back out to five points with around two minutes left.
The final few minutes saw the ball take up residence in the Yinnar front half.
So much did they dominate territory, they led the inside 50 count 25 to eight for the term. But as soon as it entered the forward 50, Rhett Weidemann or Jack Hayes, enormous all day in his trademark long sleeve jersey, repelled attack after attack until finally, with Famularo ready to kick it into the Yinnar front 50 yet again, the siren sounded to end a terrific contest.
Fish Creek by five points.
You just hope these two sides see each other again in the post-season.
They’ve played some rippers in the last few years, this one as good as any of them.
But with the extra spice that comes when finals footy rolls around, the next time might just be better again.
To my eye, Harri McColl, who swapped between half back and ruck, was exceptional for Yinnar. Geary was elite, Walsh outstanding and McKay played like he was closer to 30 years of age than just 18. Flynn Schill too came into the game when he saw some midfield minutes from just before halftime.
For Fish Creek, Weidemann was awesome. Jacko more so than Rhett, but Rhett was bloody good too.
Wilson provided the option they were looking for in McTaggart’s absence and Williams was in everything.
What a game.
Newborough 10.13 (73) def Boolarra 7.9 (51)
AFTER looking to hit the lead for the first time in the second half partway through the last term, Boolarra was again overrun, this time time to Newborough.
The Bulldogs wo a competitive game by 22 points, 10.13 (73) to 7.9 (51).
Demon players celebrated what they thought was a go ahead goal, however, the umpires conferred to overrule the score and seemingly suck the life out of the home side, who coughed up the last five scores of the game.
Nathan Wheildon, who is coming into some serious form, was best on for the winners.
Jack Robinson kicked a pair for the Bulldogs to join Wheildon among the best, along with Matt Rowlings and Brody Young.
Josh Pearce helped himself to three goals to join Young and Robinson as the multiple goal kickers for Newborough.
Bulldogs coach Pat Frendo felt his side was “reactive and second to the contest early which gave them (Boolarra) the first couple of goals before a couple of quick adjustments had us swing momentum back our way and take the lead heading into the first break.”
Frendo was less impressed with the second term where he felt “we let ourselves down with our inability to apply scoreboard pressure” before a bit of class by Robinson, slotting a pair from the boundary, “had us steady the ship and go on”.
Overall, Frendo was “pleased with the result, but win or lose, the boys have been playing the right brand of footy the past month”.
Brendan Mason and Matt Devon were restricted to a single goal between them for Boolarra. It was left to David Kruse to do the heavy lifting in the Demons’ front half. He managed three in a lone hand that also saw him named best afield.
Ruckman Tim Dowe and midfielders Tim Potter and Joel Mason joined him among the better players for the home side.
Brendan Mason said post-game he thought his side “had turned a corner the last couple weeks, but unfortunately we fell back into some old habits and Newborough capitalised.”
He lamented not capitalising on his sides fast start that saw them kick the first couple of goals, noting “from the 10 minute mark until halftime, Newborough had all the play moving the ball from defence to attack with ease.”
After halftime, Mason said his side “wrestled momentum back to get within a kick before Robinson kicked a big goal from the boundary on the siren.”
Of the last term, Mason said “we had our opportunities, but couldn’t convert.”
Thorpdale 16.11 (107) def Morwell East 8.11 (59)
THORPDALE did what it needed in collecting the win over a plucky Morwell East, 16.11 (107) to 8.11 (59).
As a result of their win, the Blues find themselves fourth on the ladder with a two-game margin back to seventh.
With scores close at the first change, the game opened up in the second.
Both sides hit the scoreboard with regularity, but it was the more poised Thorpdale forwards who took advantage of their chances, kicking 4.2 (26) to Morwell East’s 1.6 (12).
The home side found a gear after the long break and put enough separation between themselves and their opponents to cruise to a comfortable win.
Best-on-ground Ayden Ramm kicked three goals, while a trio of players slotted two.
The most interesting of those names was undoubtedly Anthony Rosato, who played his first game of the season for Thorpdale after crossing from Morwell.
Ramm was joined in the best players list by Shannon Pickering, who seems to get better year in, year out and the hyphen, James Holland-Burch.
For the Hawks, Brandon Francis kicked three goals and Hayden Dwyer two.
Eric Semler, who kicked the last goal of the game, was best for the Hawks, along with Dwyer and ruckman Lachlan Tactor
Foster 27.13 (175) def Hill End 4.8 (32)
THE league’s only remaining undefeated side, Foster, did what they have been doing all season, racking up a monster win over Hill End.
The Tigers won by 143 points, 27.13 (175) to 4.8- (32).
They are going so well in all aspects of their game that their quarter time score was in fact enough to match their opponent’s efforts for the entire match.
Foster coach Jake Best booted 10 goals, to make it 17 in the last fortnight.
He said after the game that the “first quarter was a really good hit out with Hill End booting the first two goals, but then we got the game on our terms”.
And when those terms include having Angus Norton, Jack Flavelle (who kicked five) and Bailey Angwin as the best trio on the park, it is going to be hard for any side to top.
Any doubts about Foster not playing out the game were put to bed, with them booting nine and then 10 goals in each of the last two quarters.
For Hill End, Seth Calway was their only multiple goal scorer, with Ambu Uliando, Aaron Fawcett and Harry Moore named their best.
The Rovers have been competitive with some good sides this year, but as coach Tom Hallinan surmised post-game, he and his boys got “a dreadful reality check” after the visit to Foster.
MDU 20.6 (126) def Toora 5.10 (40)
AFTER the previous week’s loss to Stony Creek, Meeniyan Dumbalk United coach Rhett Kelly referenced “effort” ad-nauseum to anyone who’d listen.
So, you just had to know the Demons would come out firing for this game.
MDU bounced back to the winners’ list with some authority, rolling an inaccurate Toora 20.6 (126) to 5.10 (40).
The Demons jumped the visiting Toora and kept then off the scoreboard in the first quarter, before kicking five goals to three in the second term to lead by the best part of five goals.
Patrick Kerr, who missed last week’s game, welcomed himself back into the fold with a dozen of the finest, to take his season tally to 21 from just the four games.
On Kerr’s game coach, Kelly commented “it was great to see Paddy Kerr get on the end of a few” before adding he was “super pleased with the effort Cooper Quaife gave us after returning to the side following a couple of games in the reserves.”
Kelly also praised best-on-ground Jacob Whiteside and fellow defender Thomas Nevin.
“Whiteside played a key role in the backline alongside his best mate Tommy Nivan; both had excellent games,” Kelly said.
Kelly said he was “pleased to see us back on the winners’ list after a disappointing performance last week” adding that his opposition “pushed us at different stages, and the score would have been much closer had they converted more of their opportunities.” As if to echo Kelly’s words, Toora coach Jake Smart said after his sides’ loss “we had plenty of scoring opportunities but we couldn’t quite put the score on the board.”
He went on to praise “great performances from Josh Halsall in the middle and Tex Dyson up forward” with Dyson being Toora’s only multiple goal kicker for the day.
Smart himself joined Halsall and Dyson in his sides best three, but was quick to point out “the effort from all the boys was great” before lamenting a series of in-game injuries that eventually “got the better of us” and killed the contest.
Tarwin 15.9 (99) def Stony Creek 10.10 (70)
TARWIN chalked up win number three from their five games to sit a game clear of Newborough in sixth spot.
Knowing Stony Creek would arrive full of confidence after last week’s win over MDU, the Sharks set an ambush and led 3.4 (22) to a single point at the first change.
Post-game, Lions coach Troy Shepherdson reflected on this fast start, noting it “was the difference in the contest, with their fast ball movement and straight kicking setting the tone”.
The next three quarters saw Tarwin boot 12 goals to win 15.9 (99) to 10.10 (70).
Remm Dal Pozzo slotted four for Tarwin, with Brodie Senior-Gibson grabbing three.
Dal Pozzo was joined in the best by Jordan Staley and Lucan Harmer for the winners.
Tarwin Lachie Jones also commented on the performances of Dylan Garnham, whom he said “played a great game all round” and Ricky O’Loughlin who “played a selfless game too at full back.”
Jones continued that he was happy with his sides efforts, with his experience telling him “it’s always tricky navigating a week off” but in perfect conditions, his message was “that we want to use our skills and run and carry to play our style”.
For Stony Creek, it was a case of what might have been. After quarter time, they out worked Tarwin and had two more scoring shots than the winners.
Tully Bernaldo and Luke Firth got two each for Stony Creek, with Liam Harrington and Jai Bright their best.
MIRBOO North had the bye.
