ROB POPPLESTONE
FOOTBALL
MID GIPPSLAND
By ROB POPPLESTONE
ROUND 13 of the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League threw up a number of eyebrow-raising results.
Thorpdale moved into the top six after defeating Tarwin on the road, while Yinnar only just scrapped in over Stony Creek.
There is just two games separating fourth from 10th on the ladder.
Boolarra v Newborough
WITH long-term and much respected Boolarra coach Tony Giardina calling it a day at season’s end after 25 years of coaching, it was hoped the Demons might be able to somehow manufacture a performance worthy of his value.
The Demons did what they could, but the fact is that Newborough were just a step ahead, and that was reflected on the scoreboard, the Bulldogs winning 12.7 (79) to 6.10 (46).
Victorious coach Craig Skinner said it was a tight tussle for the most part.
“It was another tough trip to Boolarra, it’s never easy and Saturday was no different,” he said.
“Tony’s boys were on top for the better part of the day, we overcame our challenges to grind a win in slippery conditions that could have gone either way.”
Good sides find a way to win, sometimes when they shouldn’t, and that is what the Bulldogs did, but credit should be given, as it was by coach Skinner to the efforts of the home side.
Despite the result, Giardina said he was pleased with his team’s effort.
“The boys turned up to play and took it right up to Newborough,” he said.
“It was a good first quarter and if our kicking for goal was better we could’ve been further in front. Unfortunately our skill level let us down all day and the best side in the competition made us pay. Happy with the way we fought it out all day.”
Morwell East v Mirboo North
MORWELL EAST were quite possibly the team that was going to climb from the bottom half of the MGFNL ladder into the top six if they could just win the games that they were expected to, one of which was against their weekend opponent in Mirboo North.
The Tigers may have ‘chugged’ their way through the season, with flashes of brilliance followed by performances below expectations, but after the weekend’s result, it is in fact likely to be Morwell East starting to believe they could be a finals contender.
The Hawks won a thriller at home, despite kicking less goals, 13.11 (89) to 14.3 (87).
Morwell East coast Paul Henry said it was a pulsating encounter.
“Great hard-fought win against Mirboo. I thought we controlled the game, we just weren’t efficient on the scoreboard,” he said.
“Mirboo North made the most of their opportunities. We were really tested in the last when they scored a couple of quick goals and it looked like our inaccurate kicking was going to cost us. It wasn’t over, the boys stepped up and kicked some big, big goals late in the last and we hung on in another tight one.
“One more big game this week against Hill End before we hit the bye.”
As thrilling and satisfying as the win was for the Hawks, Mirboo North let one slip, much to the frustration of coach Peter Mongta.
“A tightly contested game today which could have gone either way,” he said.
“The midfield battle on both sides fought hard all day and it felt like our outside run was going to be enough. We could have controlled the game better in the third quarter which at times caused some easy turnover from our mistakes.
“It was game on in the fourth quarter and six minutes in we had gone 18 points up which felt like the game was about to open up. But to Morwell East’s credit they managed to kick three quick goals and hold on as the siren sounded with the ball in our forward 50.”
Stony Creek v Yinnar
AS much as Yinnar entered the weekend clash favourite against the home side, Stony Creek believed, as did many close to the Magpies, that an upset might well be on the cards.
The reigning premier had been a little off their best, while Chris Verboon’s men had been starting to show signs that more wins against better opposition was certainly on the cards.
The weekend result was as close as you can get without winning for the home side; Yinnar winning a low-scoring slog in the mud 3.8 (26) to 3.7 (25).
Yinnar coach Daniel Taylor said he was happy to just get the four points.
“Once again we didn’t start well and found ourselves down by three goals early on,” he said.
“Wet weather, contested footy, pressure and both teams throwing numbers behind the ball at certain stages meant goals were very hard to come by.
“After quarter time the boys got to work and the game started to be played in our half, but it was hard getting rewarded for effort. To the boys’ credit, they stuck to the task and we eventually hit the front for the first time at the 18 minute mark of the last quarter.
“Stoked to get the win as it’s important for our season.”
The Magpies have made a habit of finding ways to win, but the result, even in a loss, was confirmation that the Lions are building a team that will be in finals conversations for 2024.
Stony Creek coach Chris Verboon was prepared to put the game in perspective.
“Goals were hard to come by in difficult conditions,” he said.
“Wet, slippery ball made it very hard to score. We started on fire kicking three goals in the first quarter. Yinnar had their chances to score but couldn’t convert the goals which kept it tight all day.
“Obviously another disappointing end to the game for our boys losing by a point. Funnily enough it was a point the difference between us last year, but in our favour, so I guess they evened up the score.”
Tarwin v Thorpdale
AS good as Thorpdale had been for the middle part of the season, the Blues were under no illusions as to what was required in the back end of the year.
If they were going to make a serious push for finals, one of the more desired results was a win against a quality opponent such as Tarwin.
The Sharks may have fallen short against league-leaders Newborough just a week earlier, but that result was nothing compared to their disappointing loss to Thorpdale, the Blues winning 9.14 (68) to 5.7 (37).
Thorpdale coach Jason Winderlich was roundly pleased with how things panned out.
“It was a good response from the group after last week’s effort (loss to Foster),” he said.
“Tough conditions but the midfield rolled up their sleeves and got to work in the first half to set up a good lead.”
Tarwin coach Troy Hemming said the better side won.
“Thorpy have some really good mids and they are also very smart. They were cleaner and harder for longer,” he said.
“We had our chances but couldn’t keep momentum for long enough. Credit to Jason and his team.”
Tarwin, second on the ladder just a fortnight ago, now sits seventh.
Foster v MDU
THE old saying goes ‘it’s tough at the top’, but you can also add that it is tight at the top in Mid Gippsland, given that just a game or two can cost a team a season.
With that in mind, the outcome of the Foster and Meeniyan Dumbalk United clash was yet another crucial one, especially for the Demons, whose hopes of a top-six finish improved significantly after an impressive 11.8 (74) to 6.3 (39) victory.
MDU coach, Nathan Allen said it was just about a complete performance.
“Massive win for the group on the weekend against Foster,” he said.
On the flip side, the loss has put pressure on Foster, who could have put some space between themselves and a handful of teams below them, however, although the Tigers sit fourth, there are three teams that are now within striking distance.
Tigers coach Sam Davies labelled the performance out of character.
“Just got completely outplayed in the second half. We didn’t look like the Foster side that we know and love,” he said.
“Players and coaches need a rest and reset so we look forward to the bye this week. We have definitely limped into it.”
Toora v Fish Creek
THE Toora faithful had stayed the journey to date and had no consideration of jumping off their Magpie team on the weekend, despite the enormity of the challenge against one of the best performing and consistent teams in the competition.
Fish Creek have their sights firmly set on a top-two finish, after beating Toora 11.18 (84) to 0.3 (3).
Kangaroos coach Jarrod Walker praised the effort of his defenders.
“Another tough slog in trying conditions. The boys fought hard all day and to keep Toora goalless was a tremendous effort from our defence,” he said.
The Kangaroos were as good as they needed to be, a classy outfit that certainly earned the respect of their Toora opponents, and coach Jack Weston.
“Sometimes you’ve just got to give credit to the opposition. Fish Creek’s polish around the contest allowed them to have some quality ball inside 50 to get shots on goal,” he said.
The Magpies have remained buoyant and positive throughout what has been a very testing season, and for that alone they should be respected.
HILL END had the bye.
