FOOTBALL
MID GIPPSLAND
First semi-final
Yallourn-Yallourn North v Mirboo North
On the back of a loss to Yinnar in the weekend’s qualifying final, Yallourn-Yallourn North have defending premiers Mirboo North in their sights ahead of Saturday’s first semi-final.
The Bombers loss to Yinnar wasn’t a total shock, but it may have ignited some fear in the players after they were bundled out of the finals in straight sets after finishing top of the ladder in 2017.
Mirboo North, on the other hand, would be buoyed by their 43-point win over Thorpdale in the elimination final, and it may just be the impetus they needed to believe they could go back-to-back after coming from a similar position 12 months ago.
In round nine this year, it was Mirboo North who claimed the points with a five-point win before the Bombers made light work of the Tigers when they met again in the final round a fortnight ago.
Importantly, the most impressive win of the season for Yallourn-Yallourn North was against Trafalgar in the top side’s only loss of the year.
On that day, the big ground gave the visitors the space they needed to slice through the zone of the home side again and again.
That victory by the Bombers was also at the ground on which they meet Mirboo North this week in the first semi-final.
The open spaces of Trafalgar may be what brings the Tigers to their knees this week with the forecast perfect conditions ideal for the pace and skill of the Bombers.
Make no mistake, there were signs that Mirboo North were on the march in their win over Thorpdale in the elimination final last week.
The muddy, heavy conditions demanded direct football and that’s what the Tigers did.
It promises to be a match to remember, but one the loser will want to forget.
The first semi-final between Yallourn-Yallourn North and Mirboo North will be played on Sunday at Trafalgar Recreation Reserve from 2.35pm.
Second semi-final
Yinnar v Trafalgar
It’s the match-up that many predict will also take place in the MGFL grand final when Yinnar clash with minor premiers Trafalgar in the second semi-final this weekend.
Trafalgar have been outstanding in season 2018 with 17 wins from 18 rounds, but the fact is, it actually counts for nothing at this time of the year.
The Bloods’ work ethic, commitment to game plan, team understanding and discipline is hard to fault and has been rewarded many times in close games.
In contrast, Yinnar have limped through the majority of the year with players injured or unavailable with prior commitments.
Importantly, the talented Magpies team has started to take shape over the past month and the results have predictably followed – last week’s win over Yallourn-Yallourn North was confirmation they are going to be a force to be reckoned with.
Trafalgar have many avenues to goal and therefore defending predictable movement forward can be difficult. Equally, their demanding zone pressure can force even the most experienced players to turn the ball over.
Yinnar coach Jaime Aitken will be controlling the side from defence and reinforcing the need to be settled with the ball forward of centre.
Like Trafalgar, they too have many options to goal, all of whom will provide headaches throughout the day on quite possibly the best surface in the league.
It’s a game that could go either way, but as so many have when it’s been tight, Trafalgar seem to be able to find a way to win and it’s hard to see this week being any different.
The second semi-final between Trafalgar and Yarragon will be played at Dowton Park Reserve, Yarragon at 2.35pm on Saturday.
