FOOTBALL
MID GIPPSLAND
By ROB POPPLESTONE
JUST when you were starting to get a handle on what the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League top six might look like heading into the last handful of weeks before finals, an anomaly in the fixture meant three teams have a bye each weekend over the next four weeks.
This means that when checking the ladder, pundits should not only be aware of premiership points but also of games played.
Ladder positions can change very quickly, as was again seen at the weekend. The finals picture is still no clearer this week than last after 14 rounds.
Newborough 8.10 (58) def Fish Creek 7.4 (46)
THE Bulldogs had been setting themselves for this contest for sometime.
Having lost to Fish Creek in the Grand Final last season, Newborough had been cruising ominously just below the surface this year readying themselves to strike at just the right time.
The weekend was deemed as good a time as any, given the importance of a victory in a tight top six.
Newborough achieved their most important win of the season, winning 8.10 (58) to 7.4 (46) at home.
Bulldogs coach Craig Skinner was ecstatic with the result.
“Great to reset after our bye with the prospect of the three top sides starting with Fish Creek on the other side,” he said.
“With the conditions and opposition we prepared like outside house cats and played like it.
“Jack Hudson in the middle took wet weather footy to the top level. Darnell Grech repelled everything that came his way with his new look backline. A hard working Jack Robbo (Robinson) set up a couple and finished with four.
“It was a win we needed to help secure a spot in the top six.”
As nice as securing a spot in the six is, the statement the win made was far greater, with the league on notice that the Bulldogs are every bit as dangerous as they have been in recent years.
Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker was willing to pay credit to the opposition.
“A strong contest against Newborough in conditions that weren’t actually too bad all things considered,” he said.
“Newborough were able to get momentum on their side at crucial times and hit the scoreboard.
“Was pleasing that we continued to compete all day and had a bit of sniff in the last quarter, but hats off to Newborough who were strong in the contest and more desperate all day.
“Looking forward to a bye to refresh and rest up. A few sore bodies so the week off has come at a good time. Looking forward to the back end of the season and gain some momentum into finals”
Mirboo North 3.7 (25) def Boolarra 2.9 (21)
BOTH these sides have had their chances throughout the 2024 season, Boolarra possibly more so than Mirboo North, but the fact that finals were off the table for them did not seem to affect the intensity of the contest witnessed on the weekend.
The home team Tigers, in front of a strong past players crowd, were keen to deliver something special, and that is what they did, a win as good as any they have had in the past few seasons.
Mirboo North got the job done in a dour struggle, 3.7 (25) to 2.9 (21).
Tigers coach Damien Turner, who has been locked in for next season, praised the work of his troops.
“It was a huge day. Very tough conditions, mud, wind and a relentless Boolarra side,” he said.
“Fortunately our boys remained engaged for four quarters, continued to crack in, and we got a well-earned win. Very happy this week.
“We head down to Foster this week. Always a tough trip and they will be priming themselves for the pointy end of the season. We can’t wait for the challenge and to put on back-to-back performances.”
Unfortunately for Boolarra, it was yet another one that got away. The Demons have found themselves on the wrong side of close finishes on at least a handful of occasions this season.
“Tough day at the office. Conditions didn’t allow for us to get any of our game going and didn’t adjust well enough,” coach Brendan Mason said.
“Onto Hill End at home this week. Must salvage something from our last three games.”
Thorpdale 5.9 (39) def by MDU 8.6 (54)
LADDER positions come with premiership points, and this contest was all about premiership points as both teams were locked away on thirty two apiece, sitting fifth and sixth on the table respectively, with just percentage between the two.
This was almost an elimination final, and for Thorpdale, it is looming as a few nervous weeks ahead after losing 8.6 (54) to 5.9 (39).
MDU coach Nathan Allen was pleased with what transpired away from home.
“Huge win for us on the weekend in regards to top six aspirations,” he said.
“Tough conditions and an absolute scrap. Thorpy cracked in hard all day and never gave up. Pushed us all the way and forced us to play four quarters.
“Really proud of the way we went about it today, with even contributions all over the field. Starting to build trust in each other and momentum at the right time of the year.”
Trust, momentum and confidence are key as the competition edges closer to finals, and it seems the Demons are reaching close to their peak at about the right time.
Their opponents from the weekend are now under real pressure to back up their finals appearance of 2023.
“The weekend summed up our season perfectly… two blokes down by quarter time with one in hospital and no rotations in second half,” Thorpdale coach Jason Winderlich said.
“However, I felt like we won the territory battle but at the end of the day the only battle that matters is the scoreboard this time of year.”
The Blues now sit seventh, a game behind MDU in sixth and a game in front of eighth-placed Tarwin.
In short, the heat and pressure is building and something has to give in the next few weeks.
Toora 1.4 (10) def by Yinnar 4.9 (33)
IN the clash of the Magpies, a big crowd rolled up for a well promoted game in Toora.
Toora welcomed former AFL player and popular podcaster Dylan Buckley to its fold as part of the Carlton Draft promotion, hoping to spice up the contest between themselves and the more credentialled Yinnar.
For Toora, a big gate could be deemed a success, but for the visitors it was always about the win, success guaranteeing yet another week inside the top three.
Yinnar won a low scoring contest 4.9 (33) to 1.4 (10).
Winning coach Sam McCulloch was glad to get the four points.
“Was disappointing for Toora that the weather was not favourable for the Carlton Draught clash,” he said.
“However, it was still a good turnout considering the conditions and we were happy to play a part in the day.
“We started the game well and put the score on the board early, which was crucial in the trying conditions. Was a very scrappy game from that point on and was difficult for either team to move the ball with any fluency. Very happy to come away with the win in senior captain Mark Stolks’ 150th, was a good four quarter effort in a low scoring game.”
Yinnar remains very much in premiership conversations, sitting third on the ladder but just percentage from top spot.
Toora on the other hand may not be winning on ground, but off field are as good as any in the league.
“The weekend was more about the club as a collective than any of the games,” coach Jack Weston said.
“A huge thank you to (the) Carlton Draft and Dylan for the amazing opportunity and support.
“Unfortunately, our game mirrored our last three weeks where one bad quarter saw Yinnar kick a match-winning lead.
“A bye next week to freshen up, before a stretch of games where we believe we’re a chance to win three out of three.
“Thorpdale at Thorpdale (is) the first of these. Looking forward to seeing how our improvement stacks up against a well coached and organised side.”
Morwell East 7.5 (47) def Foster 3.9 (27)
MORWELL East approached the weekend just one game short of stamping their mark as a premiership contender.
Their Foster opponents, like the Hawks, have had a really impressive season that has not only been highlighted by individual performances in each team, but also the efforts of the club as a whole.
But still, it came down to this second versus fourth contest at Ronald Reserve, where the result would have the potential to dramatically impact possibilities come September.
Morwell East confirmed themselves as the real deal, winning 7.5 (47) to 3.9 (27).
Hawks coach Paul Henry described it as a huge victory.
“Massive win for us against Foster who had only lost two games since we last met in Round 1,” he said.
“We didn’t start great, but from halfway through the first quarter I thought we controlled the game.
“So proud of our boys! Special victory, we were relentless. A very welcomed bye for us before we tackle some top six sides in the last three rounds. We start with Yinnar in two weeks.”
The excitement of the Hawks about their performance in key areas was equally matched by disappointment by the visiting Tigers.
“Didn’t capitalise on our chances early then couldn’t get our game going at all,” Foster coach Sam Davies said.
“They smashed us around the footy and we wasted the ball going inside 50 – we will get plenty from watching the replay.”
There is a real traffic jam near the top of the MGFNL ladder as a consequence of this result and others.
Morwell East finds themselves in the number one spot, with Fish Creek and Yinnar just behind on percentage.
BYE – Hill End, Stony Creek and Tarwin.
