FOOTBALL
MID GIPPSLAND
By TOM HAYES and ROB POPPLESTONE
AN early season Easter break was a rare chance for a deep breath, before a long season demands a physical and mental commitment that will soon start to separate the contenders from the rest of the pack in the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League.
After three rounds, Boolarra, Yinnar and Foster remain unbeaten.
Boolarra 15.6 (96) def Morwell East 9.9 (63)
PUTTING an exclamation mark on Anzac Round in the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League was Boolarra, who waltzed into the top four, improving its win-loss record to 3-0.
The Demons closed out Morwell East on their home deck, kicking twice as many goals in the second half to run away 15.6 (96) to 9.9 (63) winners.
Adding to the entertainment was former St Kilda small forward Stephen Milne, who lined up for Boolarra. The ‘Tiprat’ led all comers with five goals.
The spotlight was supposed to be on former Carlton and Brisbane hard nut Mitch Robinson, however a suspension for showing both middle fingers to the crowd in a city game the week prior saw him cop a two-match ban.
Robinson still showed his face at Boolarra, chatting to locals on the boundary and hosting a clinic at halftime for the kids.
The game began with a physical nature as free kicks were awarded either way for high and dump tackles, as neither side was keen to give an inch.
Morwell East entered the match with a bit of nerves hanging over them, with their only win coming in the form of a six-point win over Hill End before Easter.
Despite the obvious, the Hawks started the game with confidence to transition the ball cleanly, breaking the lines of the Demons.
Chris Wangman opened the scoring with a set shot from point blank range but failed to double his scoreline with a snap around the body minutes later.
Boolarra responded well, and with the advantage of gaining clearance from the ground, put that to effect to snag the next three goals.
Mounting pressure inside the Demons forward half spilled out again as they kicked their fourth straight.
With time ticking on in the first term, Morwell East jagged one from a centre clearance to keep themselves within sight.
And as time expired, the Hawks’ Robert Michaelides was caught high by Bailey Flanigan, then kicking true to have seven points the difference at the first break.
An ultra-competitive second term saw just one goal each, but many watching would’ve thought Morwell East deserved to be on top.
While kicking 1.6 (12) to the home side’s one straight, the Demons would have considered themselves lucky to remain ahead at the halftime break by a point.
Robinson and former high-profile player agent Ricky Nixon took to the ground at halftime for their clinic. Many kids got the chance to get up close with the former Brisbane best-and-fairest winner while showing off their skills.
Boolarra found its groove in the second half, and so did Milne, who started to hit the scoreboard with affect.
The Demons did all the damage to break away from their counterparts, adding four goals to their tally to the Hawks’ one, giving themselves a 20-point advantage into the final break.
The clearance work from Boolarra’s midfield in all areas of the ground certainly helped, allowing them to get forward with relative ease, before remaining structured in their forward 50. If the ball ever got out, it was more than likely mopped up across half back by their tall timber.
Although 20 points down, Morwell East were still well within touching distance, after accruing seven scoring shots at the same end during the second term.
And sure, they did manage to convert better this time around with 4.2 (26), but Boolarra also had its best quarter of the match, as the floodgates opened, allowing them to add 6.3 (39) to close the match out with ease as 33-point winners.
Flanigan was prominent for the Demons across half back, so much so that he was named as their best-on-ground. He was well assisted by youngster Mitch Lovison, Daniel Wilson, Tim Dowe, Simon Noy, and Jace Paulet.
Michaelides kicked four goals for Morwell East, earning him top votes for his performance. Nik Kyriacou, former Demon Kyle Hearn, Caiin Iorangi, Dylan Field, and Brad Kimberly could also be proud of their efforts in defeat.
The Demons now move to third, as one of three undefeated teams, alongside Foster and Yinnar. Meanwhile, Morwell East are strangely struggling at the other end of the ladder in 10th, now sitting with a 1-2 win-loss record.
Boolarra will duke it out with MDU in Meeniyan this week to decide who is the more dominant Demon side in the league.
Morwell East will do battle with Tarwin, a side also searching for its second win of the season.
Hill End 7.3 (45) def by MDU 23.9 (147)
MEENIYAN Dumbalk United arrived at the home of Hill End with every intention of building on their Round 2 success.
The Rovers had shown they could be competitive, but had their work cut out from the very first bounce at the weekend, eventually going down to an impressive and more complete outfit 23.9 (147) to 7.3 (45).
Demons coach Rhett Kelly described it as a complete performance.
“Solid performance from our boys,” he said.
“We played another four quarter game which was great to see. Hill End came out firing after halftime, and we were able to absorb the pressure and get it back on our terms for the remainder of the game.
“It’s super positive to have all 21 players contributing and playing their roles.”
MDU certainly appear to have quickly progressed, and with each of the team contributing, one can expect even bigger scalps to be taken in the weeks ahead.
As good as the win was for MDU, it was also a reality check for the Rovers, who, as much as they gave an honest performance, just found it hard to match it with the class and big bodies of their opponents.
Hill End Coach, Adrian Burns said it was a learning curve for his young team.
“They (MDU) are a good side, and yes they do have some big bodies all over the ground. I need to make sure that even in losing, these 18-year-olds keep positive,” he said.
The testing winter months lay ahead for Hill End, but if the group can hang tough through the testing times, they will no doubt come out the other end much stronger.
Mirboo North 6.7 (43) def Tarwin 5.7 (37)
THE Tigers started the season with some mixed fortunes, but were very much of the belief that their weekend clash against Tarwin was a most winnable game.
Mirboo North won by a solitary straight kick, in what was a thriller, albeit low scoring game at Walter Tuck Reserve, 6.7 (43) to 5.7 (37).
Winning coach Damien Turner was ecstatic with the result.
“Great to get a win on the home deck. We really put a focus to bounce back after Boolarra and work on some key areas,” he said.
“The boys responded which was really pleasing. It wasn’t the prettiest affair, and Tarwin certainly didn’t go away!”
Winning ugly is fine, winning any way you can is a must, as different opposition will throw up varying tests each week.
The Tigers hung tough, and despite there being very little between the two teams, the Sharks will no doubt highlight a number of instances that could have turned the game in their favour.
“A tough day for us as Mirboo North were just a bit better when it mattered and executed some better fundamentals. I did feel our endeavour and intent was good all day,” Sharks coach Lachie Jones said.
Stony Creek 4.6 (30) def by Yinnar 11.11 (77)
TAKING the scalp of a premiership contender is never an easy task, and the Yinnar side has been the hunted for long enough in recent years to be well-prepared for almost any encounter.
Stony Creek, with a win under their belt prior to the Easter break, were keen to secure victory against the odds, but it wasn’t to be at the weekend, as the visiting Magpies flexed their muscle and won 11.11 (77) to 4.6 (30).
Magpies coach Sam McCulloch happy to drive home with the points.
“Very happy to come away with the four points. We’ve had trouble at Stony Creek in the past, so we were very conscious of that and put some time into making sure we started the game well,” he said.
“First half we played some good footy, but dropped off in the latter stages. Was a bit of a scrappy second half, which we did not capitalise on our opportunities in front of goal, but overall, glad to get another win on the board.”
Yinnar are still not playing their best footy, but it is already obvious they are on track for bigger and better things.
Thorpdale 7.3 (45) def by Foster 17.18 (120)
AN interrupted start to the season for Foster had made it hard for the Tigers to gain any real momentum.
A Round 1 bye, Round 2 success, an Easter break, and now Thorpdale on their home ground, was not an ideal way to start the year, but nevertheless the Tigers did what they needed to do, winning 17.18 (120) to 7.3 (45).
Foster Coach, Sam Davies said things went to plan.
“Really strong performance, especially in the second half. Thorpdale have plenty of strengths and we were able to break even in a lot of those areas which really helped us get the game on our terms,” he said.
“Going six-six for the club across football and netball is the most pleasing thing for the club however.”
Whilst huge in his efforts, Thorpdale’s Kayne OConnell was simply a victim of supply in his battle with Jake Best. Best finished with four majors, but had at least twice as many gettable shots.
Non-playing Thorpdale coach Daniel Taylor, forced to pull on the boots, didn’t mince words.
“Completely out-worked and comprehensively beaten by a very good side,” he said.
“We had too many lapses in concentration and too many basic skill errors which gifted Foster easy goals which was disappointing. Credit where credit’s due though, I thought Foster were fantastic and if Jake Best had his kicking boots on we would have lost by a lot more. It’s obviously only early but they’ll take some beating in my opinion.”
In short, it’s safe to say Foster is no doubt a contender in 2025.
Toora 7.13 (55) def by Fish Creek 14.6 (90)
AS tough as Toora can sometimes be on their home deck, the opposition don’t come much tougher than what the Magpies faced on the weekend in Fish Creek.
The Kangaroos might not yet be playing at the level they plan to later in the season, but the quality of personnel means that they are a formidable opposition at any time of the year.
Fish Creek did what they had to do at the weekend, getting up 14.6 (90) to Toora 7.13 (55).
NEWBOROUGH had the bye.
