FOOTBALL
MID GIPPSLAND
The Tigers came crashing back to earth after their big loss to top-of-the-table Trafalgar at home last week and come up against Morwell East in round 12 of the Mid Gippsland Football League this weekend.
Mirboo North simply could not go with the league leaders beyond half-time and they are now under pressure to bounce back with some purpose as they host the Hawks on Saturday.
The Hawks find themselves just half a game outside of the league’s top five with this week’s opponent occupying the spot they want.
A near full-strength Morwell East side with everything to play for means nothing but a best effort will do.
Both sides have a healthy sprinkling of talent throughout their senior teams with the home side likely to have a slight edge.
Walter J Tuck reserve is very wide and on a noticeable slant away from the grandstand side of the ground.
If a team is willing to work hard there is plenty of space to be found for a clean passage through to goal.
Trafalgar v Thorpdale
In their first encounter this season Trafalgar had highlighted Thorpdale as a side to beat in order to lay the foundations for a successful season.
History shows that not only did the Bloods win the initial encounter but they went on to bigger and better things.
Trafalgar are a united team, playing with confidence and executing the game plan of coach Clint Einsiedel week in, week out.
Thorpdale, who themselves would be happy with their place in fourth on the ladder, face the first of three big challenges against opponents all vying for a top-five spot.
For the Blues to keep a firm grip on a finals campaign, winning two of their next three is crucial
Newborough v Yinnar
In a year of mostly predictable results, one wonders if any side is capable of causing an upset that has ramifications for the entire competition.
If ever a team needed it to happen, it is Newborough this week.
The Bulldogs may have turned a corner last week.
Their victory over Hill End might be dismissed as nothing exciting but it was the response from players that had coach Tom Hallinan looking towards a post-season berth.
Yinnar have managed to continue to win games of football despite being far from full strength and should be commended for doing so.
Boolarra v Yarragon
Boolarra will have highlighted this weekend’s game against Yarragon as one they may be able to claim as their first victory in a long time.
The Panthers, however, are a side that is capable of more than their position on the ladder indicates and will be keen to show the difference between themselves and the Demons.
Yarragon have been slow starters in matches this season and it was just a fortnight ago that Boolarra held a slender lead over Morwell East at half-time.
YYN v Hill End
Yallourn/Yallourn North are shaping as heavy favourites ahead of their clash with Hill End this weekend.
The Bombers are the only team to have dismantled league leaders Trafalgar this year and have also consistently shown clean air between themselves and almost every other side.
Hill End clawed into Trafalgar just a fortnight ago and refused to relent until the final siren.
The Rovers came up short but it also highlighted how important effort is as an ingredient in potential victory.
