FOOTBALL
MID GIPPSLAND
Yallourn-Yallourn North confirmed themselves as premiership contenders, slicing through Mirboo North with an impressive victory to round out the home and away season, 12.15 (87) to 6.4 (40).
From the first bounce Mirboo North made their intentions clear and hit the ball, the contest and the opposing bodies hard.
Tiger Tristan Salerno worked hard from defence to mark at half-forward and nailed the first goal before teammate Ben Stoeretbecker made it two in a couple of minutes.
With the early pressure on, it was Bomber full-forward Dean MacDonald who put his side on the board with a composed goal under pressure from the boundary.
It was MacDonald’s 91st of the year in his quest to kick 10 for the day and finish the home and away season with a rare 100.
The reigning premiers responded with a third goal and courtesy of constantly being first to the ball, were being rewarded with several free kicks.
In the second quarter the Bombers started their surge and started to make more of their opportunities.
With the result seemingly locked away in the third quarter, all eyes were on how many goals Dean MacDonald could mange as he had three midway through.
The heavy conditions took their toll on both sides late in the game, with the amount of run and the level of intensity starting to drop, a promising start turned to nothing for Mirboo North.
The Bombers cruised to a 47-point win and Dean MacDonald finished with four and 94 for the home and away season.
Yinnar v Boolarra
No real surprises here as Yinnar accounted for Boolarra comfortably on Saturday, 18.16 (124) to 2.4 (16).
It was All Abilities round in the MGFL at the weekend when those with disabilities were encouraged to experience the camaraderie of a football team by being involved for the day.
The Magpies and the Demons were two of many teams who supported the initiative with all involved enjoying the experience.
The main game was always going to be a one-way affair with Yinnar preparing to fine tune ahead of a finals campaign just a week away.
The Magpies, even in the slippery and heavy conditions, moved the ball quickly and often into their forward 50.
Nineteen scoring shots on goal in the first half of football meant the game was done very early with the margin 60 points in favour of the home side.
There must be some credit to the visiting Demons, however, with close to 10 players unavailable they toughed it out in the trying conditions.
Morwell East v Trafalgar
Trafalgar finished the season with 17 wins from their 18 home and away matches, defeating Morwell East, 12.15 (87) to 5.12 (42).
The Hawks had left it a little too late in the season to secure a spot in the final five, even though they had threatened to do so for most of the year.
It soon became apparent, however, that Trafalgar had come to play.
Their structure in tricky conditions held firm and the understanding within the playing group was first-class and their movement forward provided many opportunities.
At quarter-time the Bloods held an impressive lead of three goals which soon grew to 46 by half-time.
The Hawks didn’t give up and their efforts in the third quarter were admirable.
Trafalgar did more of what they’ve done for most of the year – they composed themselves, stayed true to their game plan and took back control of the match to win by 45 points.
Newborough v Thorpdale
Thorpdale dug deep to steal a one-point victory over Newborough, winning 11.11 (77) to 10.16 (76).
The home side let it be known in no uncertain terms that the fifth-placed Thorpdale were going to have a fight on their hands.
At quarter-time scores were locked away at four goals and four behinds apiece.
Newborough applied the pressure in the second quarter and the Bulldogs lifted their intensity and played the conditions well to breakaway to lead by 20 points at half-time.
As good sides do, and as good sides should, the Blues started to respond to the situation and started to dig a little deeper to finally find a way forward to goals.
In the third term the visitors fought back to be within just three points at the final break.
In the final 35 minutes, Newborough had more opportunities to ice the game but Thorpdale found a way to hold on for the win.
Hill End v Yarragon
Yarragon finished the season impressively, accounting for Hill End by 77 points, 17.15 (117) to 6.4 (40).
The Rovers gave it their all against a more talented opponent and were very much in the game during the first quarter.
Yarragon dominated where it counted as they peppered the goals time and time again but had only three goals from nine attempts to keep Hill End at arm’s length by 10 points at the first break.
In the second quarter, Yarragon ran hard from the back, the midfield worked well and the avenues to goal started to pop up.
Hill End could not threaten the goals and remained scoreless while their visitors added more than five goals to put the game away by half-time.
