TWO sides in fine form, Newborough and Yinnar, will meet in the qualifying final to determine who takes on Mirboo North next weekend in Mid Gippsland football.
Newborough coach Allan Chandler said he was excited to tackle a side playing “very good footy” of late.
“It’s going to be very tough. They’re in really good form and playing them at home makes it just a bit tougher,” Chandler said.
Chandler said Yinnar had plenty of great players, for which the Dogs would have to tailor match ups carefully.
The Bulldogs have been travelling well and with close to a full list – including young players finding their best form – Chandler was confident in the side’s ability to win.
“On any given day any side could beat any other (in the top five). It’s about turning up and executing – that’s what we’re trying to do this week,” Chandler said.
Yinnar has been building momentum the past two months with key players returning from injury, some big 100 plus wins and an impressive victory over Mirboo North.
Yinnar coach Sam McCulloch said finals were “what we all play footy for”.
McCulloch said having Yinnar’s reserves and thirds play on the same day provided a sense of normality.
“It’s good for the whole group that we’re heading in same direction. If someone misses out on the seniors they’ll play reserves… In that way it’s like a normal Saturday. It’s really good. Hopefully we can all win,” McCulloch said.
In the reserves Yinnar hosts Mirboo North, who it beat by 12 goals last time around.
The Yinnar thirds take on Thorpdale in what should be a tight match.
The Blues beat the Magpies by seven points when they met in round six, but the Magpies took the honours in the return leg by 10 points.
Yarragon and Newborough will clash in the fourths.
