Mirboo North has broken through to snap a nine-game losing streak against Trafalgar on Saturday in round 13 of Mid Gippsland football.
The wet weather at Mirboo North did little to halt the Tigers’ run as they recorded a 29-point victory.
The conditions proved a nuisance for both teams with eight behinds kicked between them, before the Bloods registered the first goal of the game.
Tim Traill replied for Mirboo North just before the siren to finish in front by one point.
The ball spent most of the second quarter in Mirboo North’s end, which resulted in one goal and six behinds for the home side, and a 17-point lead.
Trafalgar scored the first two goals of the second half to climb within grasp of Mirboo North and eventually take a one-point lead into three-quarter time.
However, it was one-way traffic in the final quarter, as Mirboo North register ed six goals to one for the term, finishing ahead 8.17 (65) to 4.11 (35).
Mirboo North coach Troy Hamilton said he was proud of his team and their persistent attitude.
“The boys played really disciplined footy and just kept going and going all day,” Hamilton said.
He said he thought the boys took a little while to adjust to the slippery conditions, but managed it well.
“We still tried to run the footy and took some dares, but we started to get a little bit more conservative and really play for field position – then you just hope goals will come.”
Trafalgar coach Chris Kyriacou said he was frustrated by his side’s inconsistency and was beaten by a better side.
“It’s not fitness, it’s probably our decision making and skill errors once again and probably trying to be too cute in these conditions early on probably cost us,” Kyriacou said.
“The game was there to be won, we just didn’t step it up in the third quarter and did not take our opportunities up forward.”
Yarragon v Morwell East
Yarragon stepped off the bottom of the ladder after defeating Morwell East by 53 points.
With a strong wind blowing its way, the Panthers got out to a flying start against the Hawks with eight goals to one to finish the quarter 47 points ahead.
Morwell East kicked four unanswered goals in the second quarter to reduce the margin to 21 points at half-time.
The third quarter was a stalemate with the Panthers ahead by four goals.
However, Yarragon was not about to let its potential second win of the season slip by and came out firing in the final quarter.
The Panthers kicked six goals to one and stormed home to a comfortable win.
Yarragon coach Anthony Pavey said a change in focus, fresh legs and an injection of youth helped the side to their second win.
“Couple of the good kids stepped up and played senior level and really enjoyed it,” Pavey said.
“It’s all about just enjoying the rest of this year because we’re not going to play finals or anything, so that’s been or main focus.”
Yinnar v Boolarra
Yinnar secured third position on the ladder with a five-goal win over Boolarra.
After an even first term, Boolarra had the chance to kick ahead, but missed many opportunities, before Yinnar fought back to finish 19 points ahead at half-time.
The conditions deteriorated in the second half as Boolarra attempted to narrow the margin with a goal, but Yinnar managed two more to get out to a 26-point lead going into the final term.
Both sides battled to kick a goal in the last quarter, but the lead Yinnar had forged in the second quarter was enough.
YYN v Hill End
Yallourn Yallourn North’s home ground advantage was not enough to stop a determined Hill End recording a 63-point victory.
The Hillmen’s took a five-point lead into the first break, courtesy of 11 consecutive behinds to the Bombers’ one goal.
Hill End straightened up in the second quarter to kick five goals to YYN’s one and take a 34-point lead into half-time, which it extended to 10 goals in the third quarter.
The Bombers fought hard in the last quarter to match it with the Hillmen, but the damage had been done.
This win keeps Hill End’s outside chance at finals alive, but is still at least two wins behind fifth-placed Boolarra.
The Bombers replace Yarragon at the bottom of the ladder.
Thorpdale v Newborough
Newborough proved too strong for Thorpdale to record a 75-point victory.
The Blues missed many opportunities and finished the first quarter scoreless, but managed to hold the Bulldogs to two goals and four behinds.
Thorpdale matched the Bulldogs in the second quarter with four goals each as the Dogs entered the half-time break with a 13-point lead.
As the wind died away after half time so did the Blues’ performance.
Thorpdale was unable to replicate its first half efforts and allowed Newborough to boot eight goals and fire away to an insurmountable 55-point lead.
The Blues hampered the Bulldogs a little in the last, but Newborough was able to keep Thorpdale scoreless and record a comprehensive victory.
