FOOTBALL
MID GIPPSLAND
By ROB POPPLESTONE
NEWBOROUGH is out to go one better than last year.
The Bulldogs are into their second consecutive Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League Grand Final, and have again taken the most direct route to the decider.
Unlike last year however, Newborough is raging favourites, with a draw their only blemish in season 2023.
Their Grand Final opponent Fish Creek, will make their way to Ronald Reserve, Morwell East in a bid to win their first MGFNL flag.
Newborough has taken care of the Kangaroos on all occasions this year, although the semi-final was only decided by five points.
Going into the Grand Final with a week off, Bulldogs coach Craig Skinner had this to say in preparing for the big day.
“Last week for us was about recovery and preparation. Recovery from the second semi and preparation for what to expect again and how to be better for longer,” he said.
“It was good to have a look at the newer, more expensive version of Fish Creek from our Round 2 encounter. Jarrod (Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker) has experience down back, bulked up talent through the midfield and a forward line that is in form.
“They got a bruise-free run into the Grand final so it will be a shootout, with the team who shoots straight with the most to celebrate. At this stage we can only see one change on the bigger Morwell East stage and expect to have more space to run with Joel Mitchell and Nathan Wheildon training like caged lions and Josh Hecker ready to launch after missing the semi with concussion at work.
“Our midfield was beaten last time we played for the first time all year so it has been difficult to hold Pat Charles and Liam Flahavin from over training.
“Our backline have been having secret meetings, Hayden Prestige has gone in football analysis mode, Jack Robinson rings me daily for footy updates and Jake Bowden has become our opposition analyst, so I feel like we are ready and couldn’t be happier playing the best challenger.
“We were here last year and we are different people for the experience, the feeling around the club is different and the way we will play will be different, the opposition is different, expecting a great game and a different result come Saturday night.”
Newborough player profiles
#1 Jake Bowden:
Medium forward who bases his game around overhead marking, good ball use and contested ball.
#3 Josh Hecker:
Forward/midfielder. Provides X Factor and can break games open with his ability to consistently win one on ones and an elite goal sense
#4 Joshua Bland:
Forward/Midfielder: Has been with Newborough through the tough times and is exciting at the prospect of Saturday.
#5 Joel Mitchell:
Athletic forward who prides himself on contested marking. Loves a goal or two.
#7 Patrick Charles:
Inside midfielder who prides himself on ball winning skills and break away speed from contest.
#8 Jayden Van Dyk:
Wingman. Two way runner who is strong overhead and uses foot skills to break games open.
#9 Nathan Wheildon:
Forward. Craft left footer than can play tall or small, good below his knees and with a great goal sense.
#11 Alex Skinner:
Utility that plays in the midfield and defensively, the type of player every team needs. Hard at it and poised, also the skipper of this team in their premiership run at the age of 22.
#12 Hayden Prestidge:
Hard running wingman with very good foot skills.
#13 Zac Skinner:
Ruckman. Unfortunately went down with injury early in the season.
#14 Liam Charles:
Rebounding half backer who rarely looses a one on one. Can be very damaging.
#16 Josh Pearce:
Contested forward/midfielder who bases game around ball winning and tackling skills while always being clean with disposal. .
#17 Liam Flahavin:
Hard at it midfielder with silky skills, known for bursting out of the midfield and rolling forward to snag goals. One of the hardest workers in the team. Newborough junior since under 10s.
#19 Matt Rowlings:
Centre half forward. Heart and soul performer who gives his all every week. Would be one of the great stories if he was to win a senior flag.
#20 Peter Ainsworth:
Half forward, experienced campaigner, good around goals and pressure acts bringing teammates into the game
#22 Wade Anderson: Attacking half backer who likes to take the game on at any opportunity.
#27 Jack Robinson: Small forward who loves a goal but builds his game around pressure and being clean with disposal.
#28 Luke Webber:
An old Dog among talented pups and general of the backline. Looking to capture the elusive senior flag in the red, white and blue.
#32 Josh Monacella:
Hard running utility that can play at either end of the ground. Uses his speed to break the lines.
#35 Jake Bishop:
Midfielder. Gippsland League best-and-fairest winner who finds the ball at will.
#40 Tyler Mander:
Ruckman. Provides a strong contest all day in the centre and around the ground.
#43 Liam Cordner:
Arguably one of the best lockdown defenders in the league. Newborough junior and son of 400-game club legend Shane Cordner.
#44 Sam Hanson:
Ruckman. Developing ruckman who has had a good deal of senior exposure this season.
#59 Cam Graham:
New to the club in 2023 after crossing from Glengarry. Provides an added option to assist where needed.
Opposition coaches tips
Tony Giardina (Boolarra)
My tip is Newborough just, but Fishy have been playing some really exciting footy at the moment.
Newborough have been the best side all year by a bit so should lift for the occasion after a scare from Fishy two weeks ago.
Jack Weston (Toora)
Will be an interesting game, good luck to Jarrod and Craig. Fish Creek in a tight one, Blaine Coates best-on-ground.
Mike Santo (Hill End)
I think it’s a fairly even battle.
I think the Dogs have more speed and better forward play but I think Fishy are a more physical team and play on the edge of what’s within the rules. I think Joel Mitchell and Nathan Wheildon (for Newborough) will be the difference. Dogs by three goals.
Sam Davies (Foster)
Newborough by 31.
Nathan Allen (MDU)
Newborough have been the benchmark all year, but Fish Creek are peaking at the right time of the year and have a lot of momentum going into this Saturday.
Weather looks perfect this Saturday and I am looking forward to a cracking game.
Paul Henry (Morwell East)
I know the weeks off can be good for recovery, but I think if Fish Creek have their best team in, I think they can get over the line in a tight one.
Daniel Taylor (Yinnar)
Newborough are clearly the best team we played this season but to be fair both times we played Fishy it was heavy conditions.
For me, Fishy have the more dominant midfield but Newborough have more fire power up forward. Genuine flip of the coin this one, I’ll go Newborough by eight points.
Jason Winderlich (Thorpdale)
Should be a great Grand Final. Across the season Newborough and Fish Creek were the two best teams that we faced.
After the weekend I probably have Fish Creek just in front but the nice weather will also suit the Dogs’ slick ball movement. Dogs are also going to be fresh after another week off. The key for them will be to match it with Fish Creek in the contest early. Good luck to both teams, they would both be deserving winners!
Troy Hemming (Tarwin)
Fish Creek by four points.
It’s bloody hard to go undefeated all year. Fish Creek have won a lot of Grand Finals. It will go down to the wire and have plenty of hardball gets. Good luck to both teams!
Chris Verboon (Stony Creek)
Both games against Fish Creek were tough throughout the year for us.
I think their midfield will be too strong for Newborough, I am tipping Fish Creek by 33 points.
Peter Mongta (Mirboo North)
It will be hard to go past the team that has clearly been the best team in the competition 2023.
Newborough have such an even spread of talent. Fish Creek have a good mix of quality season campaigners who would have walked away from their last encounter and learnt a lot. It’s going to be close right till the end but I’m tipping Newborough to kick away late to win by 14 points.
