Yinnar has hit its best form at the right time of year and has surged into the Mid Gippsland preliminary final after a win over Mirboo North last week.
Its opposition, Trafalgar, did not do enough to contain a resurgent Newborough last week and it not only went down by 18 points, but was kept goalless in the second half.
After the match Trafalgar’s assistant coach Christian Burgess said it was an opportunity lost.
He said the boys would train hard and focus on the match ahead, and were determined to beat whoever they were facing this weekend.
Trafalgar would take some confidence going into the match against Yinnar as the Bloods won by 77 points the last time they met.
Before last week Yinnar had not defeated any of the teams that had finished above it on the ladder.
After claiming its first big scalp the boys have gained some self-belief, according to Magpies coach Sam McCulloch said.
The Magpies wore the underdog tag last week, and McCulloch said he could not wait to “have a crack” at Trafalgar this weekend.
“It’s a good tag to have because there’s no pressure on you in a way,” McCulloch said.
“We’ve learnt a lot out of the times we’ve played them (Trafalgar) during the year, so we’re really looking forward to the challenge.”
While Yinnar may not be feeling the pressure the Bloods certainly are.
The team finished equal first on the ladder but second on percentage and would class anything less than a grand final win as a failure.
Newborough awaits the winning team in the grand final at Morwell Recreation Reserve next Saturday.
Reserves
Morwell East faces with Yinnar in the reserves, which defeated Boolarra comfortably last Sunday.
Last time these teams met the Hawks won by two goals, so an entertaining match is expected this weekend.
Thirds
Trafalgar takes on Newborough after a massive win over Mirboo North in the thirds last week.
The winner will go on to play Yarragon in the grand final.
Trafalgar will go in as underdogs this match, as Newborough defeated the side by more than seven goals both times they played this season.
Fourths
Yarragon faces Newborough with both teams fresh from close matches last week.
Yarragon just got over the line against Yallourn/Yallourn North by one point to make it to the preliminary final, while Newborough could not do enough in the last quarter to beat Yinnar.
In their round 18 clash the Bulldogs edged out the Panthers by nine points and it will be worth getting to the ground early to watch these teams duke it out.
