MGFL
ROUND SIX
Sam Mazou became an instant hero for Boolarra when he kicked the winning goal with only a minute to play against Thorpdale in round six of Mid Gippsland football.
Scores were tied when Mazou took a contested mark, went back and slotted it through to give the Dees a six-point victory.
The game was an even contest with scores level at the first break, then Boolarra edged to a two-point advantage at the half-way mark in trying conditions.
Light rain set the pattern for the style of game, as players dropped marks, miskicked and generally played bad football at times.
Thorpdale was stung into action in the third and by three-quarter-time had built up an 11-point lead.
After the interval Thorpdale scored again to take the lead out to 18 points, but Boolarra would not lie down.
The Demons pressured Thorpdale into errors and slowly clawed their way back into the match with a 3.6 (24) to 1.1 (7) term.
With two minutes to go supporters were out of their cars urging the Dees on and when Mazou goaled they went into raptures.
Thorpdale was devastated after doing most of the good work all day to go down in the final minutes of play 9.16 (70) to 9.10 (64).
Jesse Giardina continued his good form to kick three goals for Boolarra while winger Kris Bedford scored three for Thorpdale.
Trafalgar v Yinnar
Yinnar kept its unbeaten run intact with a 30-point win over Trafalgar in a scrappy game.
The Magpies went into the match without leading goalscorer Tim Aitken and his forward offsider Dallas King, opening the door for Kade Grinstead-Jones.
Yinnar opened up with two goals in the first three minutes through Cameron Harwood and Tyler Hillier, which set the trend of the game.
Trafalgar had trouble getting past the strong defensive Yinnar, which was playing the front role.
Magpie Jesse Bowe and the Bloods’ Chris DeHaas contested the ruck with results about even.
When De Haas was moved, Bowe began to take over.
At the first break Yinnar led 3.0 (18) to 1.4 (10).
Two quick goals after the break for Trafalgar put the Bloods ahead by four points, but Yinnar was equal to the occasion as Liam Maynard scored from the boundary.
Yinnar then added three goals to go in at half-time with a handy lead.
In the second half Yinnar scored three goals and Trafalgar two in slippery conditions.
The brightest part of the match was the pink football used as part of Breast Cancer awareness week.
For Yinnar, Harwood top scored with four, with their best being Brendan Chapman, Hillier and Bill Davey.
For Trafalgar, Jace Butler, Darcy Long, Klay Butler and Matt Riseley were best.
Mirboo North v Morwell East
Morwell East was comprehensively defeated by a relentless Mirboo North.
The Tigers kept the Hawks goalless for three quarters in what may be considered one of Morwell East’s worst performances.
The Hawks were completely outplayed by last season’s premier.
Mirboo North’s Dwayne Gunn was on target with four, while leading goalkicker Tim Traill finished with just one.
Best were Dane McGennisken, Jacob Nash, Damien Turner and Dwayne Gunn.
For the East, Brendan Evans, Jack Brown, Max Merton and Harleigh Aarons were the only shining lights in a dull display.
Hill End v Yarragon
What was expected to be a close game fizzled out into a good Hill End victory by 62 points over Yarragon. The Panthers’ Daniel Kilday and Sam Clebney were injured early, which took away two vital players.
After leading by a couple of points at the first break, Hill End opened the floodgates with eight goals, which took Yarragon by surprise.
“We let ourselves down, our heads dropped and we let Hill End take over,” Yarragon coach Anthony Pavey said.
“Injuries to key players didn’t help our cause.”
Hill End’s Matt Mosley added another three goals to his season total of 13.
Best were Jack Duncan, Michael Parker, Adrian Law and Matt Fidelaars.
Yarragon’s best were Stewie Edwards, David Bates and James Harvey.
Newborough v YYN
As expected, Newborough came home with the Energy-Australia Cup with wins over Yallourn Yallourn North in all grades of football and netball.
The Bulldogs were under pressure early by YYN, which battled hard without due reward.
Newborough’s big man power was the telling factor and with its forwards on target it looked a foregone conclusion it would keep its unbeaten run intact.
The Bulldogs led by four goals at the first break and increased this to a 42-point advantage by half-time.
Newborough had most of the play in the last half but was wasteful in its endeavours to score goals. A further 9.13 (67) was added for the half while YYN’s forwards went on holidays to score a miserly one behind for the last two quarters.
Daniel Risol was on target for Newborough with five to get the best player award.
For the Bombers Barrie Burnett continues to amaze with his ability each week to pick up votes.
