FOOTBALL

MID GIPPSLAND

By ROB POPPLESTONE

 

EVEN at this early stage of the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League, it has become obvious that season 2025 will be a tight competition.

Close margins and upsets have already sprinkled among results, and pundits can expect more of the same as Round 3 looms.

 

Boolarra v Morwell East, Boolarra Recreation Reserve, April 27

BOOLARRA is already on a high, compliments of their successful start to the season, but coupled with the inclusion this Sunday of an experienced former AFL player and another home ground appearance, it is safe to say the Demons will have even more reason to feel good about themselves.

The inclusion of former AFL hard nut, Mitch Robinson has created plenty of excitement, according to Boolarra playing-coach, Brendan Mason.

“With Mitch Robinson joining the boys in a Sunday standalone game against (Morwell) East in week three, spirits are high at Demonland at this early stage of the year,” he said.

As impressive as Boolarra has been, it is safe to say their opponents this week in Morwell East still seem a little short of the level most expected of them.

That said, you get the feeling it could turn at any time, and there would be no better time than this weekend’s standalone clash.

“Always a hard game against Boolarra and this Anzac Day Sunday clash will be huge. Looking forward to it,” Hawks coach, Paul Henry said.

As big as it is for the clubs, it also looms (if the weather is kind), as a perfect time to lure a big crowd to what is destined to be a very even contest.

Boolarra going three and zero would be beyond most expectations, but so too would Morwell East being stuck on just the single win from the first three rounds.

 

Hill End v MDU, Willow Grove Recreation Reserve, April 26

HILL End nearly stole their first win in many a month when they fell agonisingly close to predicted finals contender Morwell East in the round before Easter.

The Hillmen were okay in Round 1 against Mirboo North, and showed they were capable of mixing it with some of the best seven days later.

Hill End, at home this Saturday, now looks a good chance of breaking through against a new-look Meeniyan Dumbalk United.

“We are getting fitter, but to be honest we are still not there yet, week one to week two was an improvement, but I still believe that if we work hard and get even more match fitness we can be more competitive for longer periods, which this week against MDU is sure to be important,” coach Adrian Burns said.

Make no mistake, MDU is a side on the rise, and although disappointing in their season opener against Newborough, the Demons quickly showed improvement to account for Thorpdale before the Easter break.

MDU coach Rhett Kelly said his side would be looking to take the points back down the hill.

“Looking forward to Hill End this week who had a solid game against Morwell East,” he said.

“We will once again have a few changes due to a few injuries in Round 2. I hope that we can back our efforts up and prove to each other that we are on the right track after two completely different performances to start the year off.”

MDU have the talent, but consistency from talent is key to the Demons fortunes this year.

Trent McCrae, Jarvis Lacy, Shaye Wals, and Jason Kennedy were some of the best against the Blues, and they, along with a handful of teammates, will need to continue to perform most weeks.

 

Mirboo North v Tarwin, Mirboo North Recreation Reserve, April 26

THE most unfortunate thing about the Easter break, which no doubt has been enjoyed by most, is that after losing you have to wait an extra week to get back on the bike, and that is where we find ourselves with these two sides in Round 3.

Mirboo North will entertain thoughts of a win at home against Tarwin.

“We welcome Tarwin for our first home game. We are both 1-1 so it’ll be a hugely important match for our seasons and no doubt a hot contest. Can’t wait to get back into it!” Mirboo North Coach, Damien Turner said.

The Tigers have assembled some good talent and prepared them with a demanding preseason, but now need to turn that into premiership points.

New Sharks coach, Lachie Jones said his side would be out to redeem their last effort.

“We were out-worked in Round 2 by Stony Creek, but now we face Mirboo North away after the Easter break and I hope we respond,” he said.

The Sharks simply must respond. Jones has led the way so far, and along with Fergus Warren, ex-Gippsland League star Jordan Staely, Ben Chalmers, and Ben Allen, Tarwin appears to have the makings of a strong side for the future.

 

Stony Creek v Yinnar, Stony Creek Racecourse, April 26

THIS clash is a super-important one for the home ground Lions. Their Round 2 win against Tarwin was a good one, but now they face one of the competition benchmarks.

What better way for the Lions to test themselves against one of the best in front of their own supporter base.

Stony Creek Coach, Troy Shepardson said the group welcomed the challenge.

“Coming off the bye and having our first home game of the year, we get the in-form team of the comp in Yinnar, will be a great challenge for our boys, one we are very much looking forward to!” He said.

Embracing the challenge is key for the Lions, and while doing so, identifying what players lift to the occasion.

Yinnar demands that their opposition play their best to stay with them, and if they don’t, it will be a most uncomfortable afternoon for Stony Creek.

Magpies coach, Sam McCulloch however said the side wasn’t taking anything for granted.

“Plenty to work on going into the Easter break. Looking forward to our next challenge with another tough away game over at Stony Creek,” he said.

Yinnar are only just starting to warm up, and there is no need to be playing your best footy at this time of the year. However, winning is crucially important, so expect the Magpies to lift to a level that the match demands.

 

Thorpdale v Foster, Thorpdale Recreation Reserve, April 26

THORPDALE, as honest as they are and as aggressive as they can be, fell short in Round 2, and a new challenge awaits that is every bit as demanding when they host an impressive Foster outfit.

The Blues will need more of their best from the likes of Jacob Patullo, Heath Ferguson, Shaun Falla, Travis Patten, and James De Virgillio, just to name a few, but it will take support from another dozen to really take it up to Tigers.

Blues coach, Daniel Taylor said the side was under no illusions.

“Round 2 was disappointing as we couldn’t get the game on our terms all day,” he said.

“We got beaten on the inside and comprehensively beaten on the outside by a fit and fast MDU side in hot conditions. We just couldn’t go with them on the spread, we couldn’t get any pressure on the ball carrier which meant their forwards became a real handful.

“Looking forward to our first home game of the year against Foster, it’s another big game.”

Equally, Foster Coach, Sam Davies said the Tigers weren’t jumping to any conclusions.

“We look forward to going up to Thorpdale and seeing how we go. They’ve recruited well – so they’ll test us big time,” he said.

‘Tac’ Taylor has shown he is capable of getting his sides up for clashes just like this one in the past, and he will need to, as this Foster team appears to be the real deal.

 

Toora v Fish Creek, Toora Recreation Reserve, April 26

TOORA will go from the heat of Yinnar to the fire of Fish Creek either side of the break.

The Magpies might be at home, but the task of taking on the reigning premier is as tough as it is likely to get.

Mind you, Toora were reasonably happy with some of their efforts against last year’s runner-up, Yinnar before Easter.

“We played some really good football in the first quarter where our pressure was up and our ability to move the ball was on point,” Toora Coach, Jay Acardi said.

“This week it’s a another massive task coming up against Fish Creek, who will be looking to bounce back from their Round 1 defeat, but we will be ready for the challenge.”

The Kangaroos may have won the ultimate prize two years in a row, but in a new year, like Toora, they were beaten by Yinnar in the opening round.

Fish Creek comes into this match fresh off a two-week break, which may prove decisive.

“It will be two weeks off for us after a Round 2 bye, so a few weeks off to regroup and iron out a few deficiencies… looking forward to taking on Toora, always a physical contest and never easy at their ground,” Kangaroos coach, Jarrod Walker said.

“There were some positives with a few first gamers (in Round 1). Some polish and game style proved too strong in the end so credit to Yinnar.

“We took a lot out of our first game so looking to put some of our learnings into practice.”

Stranger things have happened, but they say you only ever lose if you don’t learn, so if Toora can walk from the ground having giving their all and taken some lessons along the way, there is no doubt they will be a better side for it.

 

NEWBOROUGH has the bye.