FOOTBALL
MID GIPPSLAND
By ROB POPPLESTONE
EVERY new season starts with plenty of possibilities, as clubs prepare to put their recruiting, training, and coaching on the line.
The 2025 Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League season promises another exciting year, as the personnel secured by those clubs looking to climb their way up the ladder from the season prior is very impressive.
Round 1 commenced at the weekend, setting the scene for 18 rounds ahead.
Fish Creek 9.11 (65) def by Yinnar 11.9 (75)
THERE was no better way to start a year than to have the grand finalists of 2024 face off in the season opener.
Reigning premier, Fish Creek, having kept the core of their premiership side, unfurled their flag and looked to pick up where they left off. Yinnar were desperate to make a statement, and there would be no better place than on the Kangaroos’ home ground.
The Magpies did just that, winning 11.9 (75) to 9.11 (65).
Yinnar coach Sam McCulloch said it was a promising start to the campaign.
“Great way to start the season with a win away from home in what was a physical game with plenty of changes in momentum,” he said.
“Fish Creek were on top early with a number of inside 50s in which we were able to defend well. We managed to get our brand of footy going as the game wore on and gave ourselves a handy lead at halftime.
“The game ebbed and flowed in the second half with plenty of big moments.
“The most pleasing aspect of our performance was the way we were able to steady late in the game when Fish Creek were coming at us.”
It was a dream start for the Magpies as they begin their quest to right some wrongs from the season prior, but Yinnar are under no illusions as to the work required.
Fish Creek coach, Jarrod Walker commented on the physical nature of the game.
“It was a really hard fought contest, and expected nothing less,” he said.
“A few momentum swings throughout the day with the wind slightly favouring the creek end. Really proud of our boys to stick at it and almost steal it at the end, positives with a few first gamers as well.
“Some polish and game style proved too strong in the end, so credit to Yinnar. Bye next (this) week for us so a few weeks off to regroup and iron out a few deficiencies.”
Hill End 5.3 (33) def by Mirboo North 10.9 (69)
AS much as the year prior had been disappointing for both of these two teams, it was also long forgotten, given that a new year brings new opportunity.
For the Rovers, the chance to start the season with victory on their home deck.
The Tigers however had flagged they were better prepared this season than last, and that showed on the final scoreline, Mirboo North winning 10.9 (69) to 5.3 (33).
Victorious coach, Damien Turner was very pleased to get on the board.
“Footy’s back! Great way to kick off the season,” he said.
“It’s never easy travelling up to Hill End, and they are much improved. They bat deep through the midfield and made us earn everything.
“I was really pleased we stuck at it and our fitness from preseason allowed us to run on top of the ground late in the game and quarters.”
The Tigers were satisfied with their second half and equally impressed with the mood of the team and club to have registered a victory first up.
The Rovers may not have secured the points, but there was signs that this season will not be a winless one.
“We were competitive in the first half, but the Tigers were a little too slick later in the game, we were at times undisciplined, but that was our first full game and with more game time and match fitness a win won’t be far away,” new Hill End coach, Adrian Burns said.
Morwell East 4.9 (33) def by Thorpdale 9.8 (62)
THORPDALE got its season off to a great start in the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League.
The Blues defeated a highly-fancied Morwell East on their home deck, 9.8 (62) to 4.9 (33).
The Hawks came into the game warm favourites given both their 2024 form and some strong recruiting and preseason form. However, you can never be sure until you see it rolled out in front of you, and what pundits saw was not what they expected.
New Thorpdale coach Daniel Taylor was full of praise for his troops.
“Great to have footy back and was great to walk away with the four points,” he said.
“We lost our two key forwards Saturday before the game due to illness and a back spasm in the warm-up, so that made avenues to goal a little tougher.
“We had full buy-in on effort and pressure and to keep a quality team like Morwell East to only four goals was the most pleasing thing for me.
“I’m rapt for the boys, they’ve worked pretty hard over the summer, so it was great to see them get some reward.”
The home side seemed surprisingly clunky and unorganised, not the start or style people had come to expect from the Hawks.
“Disappointing start to the season. Thorpy outplayed us all day and we just couldn’t get the game on our terms,” Morwell East coach, Paul Henry said.
Good sides have bad days, but you certainly don’t want them to open up your season. Conversely, the Blues showed that despite plenty of preseason movement, they are still capable of delivering some impressive football.
Thorpdale now has a taste. The question is can they string together a few strong weeks as they prepare to take on Meeniyan Dumbalk United looking to bounce back in Round 2?
Newborough 12.9 (81) def MDU 8.7 (55)
WITH new leaders at the helm of both of these two clubs, there was some nervous energy on the field, and in the coaches boxes.
Newborough, tough at the Kennel, proved so, winning 12.9 (81) to 8.7(55).
Newly promoted Bulldogs coach Pat Frendo said the game was a good contest between two evenly-matches sides.
“Solid win from the boys,” he said.
“MDU play a very similar brand of footy to us, so it was good to see how we match up against each other.
“Co-captain Wade Anderson led from the front and Jack Robinson looked dangerous down forward, unfortunately went down in the third quarter with a knee injury.”
All clubs depth will be tested at various times this season, but losing quality players presents opportunity. For the Demons, Round 1 just didn’t deliver as expected.
“Disappointing start for us, we were very reactive all game and couldn’t get on the front foot with our ball movement,” Meeniyan Dumbalk United coach, Rhett Kelly said.
“Our skills really hurt us at important stages of the game. Credit to Newborough who dominated around the stoppages and looked dangerous going forward.”
Boolarra 10.4 (64) def Stony Creek 8.13 (61)
BOOLARRA had been one of those tipped to be a big improver in 2025.
The Demons have had flashes of brilliance in recent years, and are tipped to be among the bolters this season.
The visiting Stony Creek had a new coach and some savvy recruiting, yet it wasn’t enough on this occasion, as they lost 10.4 (64) to 9.13 (67).
The Demons accuracy with the enthusiasm of some new blood was a major factor in the win, according to coach Brendan Mason.
“We debuted six senior players today and played like a side that was welcoming a bunch of new faces at times,” he said.
“In a game that ebbed and flowed, both sides had opportunities to claim the points but thankfully when the siren sounded we were in front.
“Newcomers Tarmah Little and Tim Potter won the respect of their new team mates with a relentless attack on the ball. Little hit the scoreboard and Potter hit every contest with similar enthusiasm.”
The Demons were good and are likely to get better, but it must be said that the Lions had more than their share of chances also.
“Tight battle against Boolarra, we had seven more scoring shots we just couldn’t convert in front of goal, with late chances to win, were were on top for most of the day,” Stony Creek coach, Troy Shepardson said.
Toora 10.4 (64) def by Tarwin 13.12 (90)
TWO teams that were looking for an improved season faced off at Toora,
The Sharks took the points home, after winning 13.12 (90) to 10.4 (64).
New Tarwin coach, Lachie Jones (from Wonthaggi) got on the board first up.
“It was a gritty round one win against Toora on their home deck,” he said.
“They pushed us all day like we knew they would. Happy our guys hung tough and did the basics well which saw us kick a score late in the fourth quarter and secure the win.”
Toora were beaten, but showed enough to indicate they will grab their fair share of victories in the weeks and months ahead.
“We put in a pretty decent performance,” Magpies coach Jai Acardi said.
“Unfortunately we were not able to sustain the effort for four full quarters.”
FOSTER had the bye.
