FOOTBALL

MID GIPPSLAND

By ROB POPPLESTONE

 

AFTER a long preseason and four months of competitive football, it came down to a fortnight that would determine the immediate future of more than half of the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League clubs.

The excitement, the pressure and the privilege of finals is now just a fortnight away and from there everyone knows that anything can happen.

 

Fish Creek 13.14 (92) def MDU 7.5 (47)

A PREVIEW to a potential finals clash in just a few weeks, this was tipped to be somewhat of a chess match in Round 17.Both teams had already locked away a top six spot, so it was considered to be a match where the learnings might just be as important as the result.

Fish Creek were comfortable winners over Meenyian Dumbalk United, 13.14 (92) to 7.5 (47) at Terrill Park.

The reigning premiers of 2023 and 2024 well placed and on track for their quest for a third premiership in a row.

Kangaroos coach Jarrad Walker was pleased with the results.

“A real grind against MDU, scores even at half time it was on a knife’s edge,” he said.

“MDU were scoring almost every time they went inside 50 so after half time we tightened a few things up, our midfield started to get on top and some better entries into our forward line.

“Really happy over the last month with our pressure and intensity for four quarters.”

The key for Fish Creek in many ways is just to be a healthy group as they hit finals, and every club wants the same.

But the weekend also showed Demons coach Rhett Kelly that they still need to find something a little extra if they were to meet Fish Creek again.

“Another great winters day for footy. The first half was solid, with both teams really going hard at it,” Kelly said.

“I thought our pressure was really good. It looked like it would be a tight game, but Fishy took it to another level after the halftime break, and we just couldn’t match them, which was a bit disappointing.

“They definitely showed why they’re one of the top teams in the competition.

“As disappointing as the weekends result was, we won’t let just one-half of footy dictate our next game or our finals run, so we learn and move on quickly.”

 

Stony Creek 21.11 (137) def Hill End 9.9 (63)

WITH wins hard to come by for both clubs throughout the season, Hill End and Stony Creek approached the weekend believing the victory was theirs to grab.

The Rovers on their home deck with two wins from their past three matches were slightly favoured against a Lions team that had come close to a win more than a handful of times only to time and time again fall agonisingly short.

However, the visitors did what they have rarely done this season, flexing their muscle and showing what they indeed are capable of, winning 21.11 (137) to 9.9 (63) at Willow Grove Recreation Reserve.

Stony Creek coach Troy Shepardson was pleased with his side’s efforts.

“Great for the our Boys today to play four quarters of the footy, I know we are capable of playing, and to get back on the winners list,” he said.

The Lions have shown patches of what they are capable of throughout the season, but these moments have only kept in them in games rather than have them winning them.

The Rovers in many ways have been much the same, their core group of experienced and talented players, surrounded by a young group who will take time to reach the level required to add to their rare wins this year.

This was reiterated by coach Adrian Burns.

“Having a young group, a long season, it all means you will have results like we did on the weekend, every week I’ve felt the boys have given their best, and it all helps, win or lose, their development for the season ahead,” he said.

Hill End, like their weekend opponents in the Lions, have won far less games than they would have liked, but every weekend, the opposition teams also respect that they will have a fight on their hands.

 

Foster 14.15 (99) def Mirboo North 2.6 (18)

MIRBOO North faced perhaps the biggest challenge in MGFNL football right now, welcoming the inform and top of the table Foster.

For Foster, it was a chance to fine tune their already impressive game style on their way to a all important first final in a fortnight, for the home team however it was all about trying to find a way to win, in any way possible.

In the end it proved to be a bridge too far for the home team Tigers, taken out 14.15 (99) to 2.6 (18) at Mirboo North Recreation Reserve.

Foster coach Sam Davies praised his winning side.

“Good day for the club at Mirboo North – great to see our reserves get another win for the season,” he said.

“We did enough in our game, strong wind going to one end meant it was hard kicking up the hill and we missed a lot of chances we’d normally take.

“Our defensive structures are in great shape which is a big positive going into the pointy end of the year.”

On the other hand, Mirboo North coach Damian Turner understands there is still some work to be done, just to be part of finals.

“Tough day against a polished Foster. The Wind was up early and my boys started well, but, Foster asserted themselves in the second and showed why they sit on top of the ladder,” he said.

“Poor skills and decisions let us down, and let Foster into the contest more often then we would have liked. But now we move on quick.”

The “quick”, being the very last round of the home and away season where the Tigers meet Boolarra, another team team precariously placed around the top six, both of whom realise only a win will present the chance for finals.

 

Thorpdale 11.8 (74) def Toora 6.15 (51)

THE Blues hosted a talented Toora, understanding that anything short of a victory could severely compromise their chances of participating in the upcoming finals.

The Magpies in what would be their last game of the year (given they have a bye next week) did what they could to throw the home sides season off track, but ultimately falling short 11.8 (74) to 6.15 (51).

Thorpdale coach Daniel Taylor praised a necessary performance.

“Glad to get the win and cement a spot in the top six which has been an aim of ours since the pre season,” he said.

“Tricky conditions with the wind so it wasn’t the best spectacle but I was happy enough with how we played.

“Toora started well and probably let us off the hook early with some inaccurate kicking but after quarter time I felt we were in control for the rest of the game.”

The win by the Blues, was a welcome one, Thorpdale now with a full focus on being ready for the finals.

For Toora coach Jay Acardi, it’s now all about 2026.

“We came up against a determined Thorpy who were up and about on their home deck. The two 25s went hard at through the midfield which was great to watch, unfortunately we fell away and couldn’t go with them when it counted,” he said.

“Good luck to Thorpdale and the rest of the teams heading into finals, it should be a great end to the season.”

After a slow start Toora on field, they started to match their efforts off field, the Magpies shaking the trees of some good teams.

 

Yinnar 18.10 (118) def Newborough 4.4 (28)

YINNAR’S last home game of the season offered up a couple of possibilities.

It was a chance for a return to form before the all important finals series started, and also an opportunity to kill off the faint hopes that Newborough held of securing a top six position.

In the end, the Magpies achieved what they needed to do, a comfortable 18.10 (118) to 4.4 (28) victory at Yinnar Recreation Reserve.

Sam McCulloch was all smiles on the day.

“Was great to a win on the board after a few losses, and a few weeks off in the last month,” he said.

“Very pleasing four quarter performance. Even though we came in at quarter time behind on the scoreboard, we could really feel our brand was gradually gaining momentum.

“So to come out in the second quarter and put the score on the board, then go on with it was pleasing.

“Even contribution from the 21 and was just what we needed after the week off.”

Yinnar indicated that the premiership is far from a two horse race (Foster and Fish Creek), and their weekend opponents got to see that first hand.

Newborough coach Pat Frendo was less happy.

“Tough day at the office on the weekend, playing Yinnar on their home deck coming into finals is never an easy task and they proved they’re ready to be there at the end again,” he said.

“Started off really well, leading at quarter time, but Yinnar quickly stamped their dominance on the game and turned things around.

“Our lack of rotations certainly didn’t as we found ourselves being run off our legs. Credit to Yinnar, well drilled, fit and fast.”

The loss kills off any chance of finals hopes for the Bulldogs, in a season where the football gods just were not as kind as they might have been to them, injuries had them on the back foot for most of the year.

But, it has also helped build a resilience that will make them a tougher proposition in 2026.

 

BYE: Boolarra, Morwell East, and Tarwin.