Mid Gippy five almost set

The Mid Gippsland football five appears just about set with 10 rounds of the home and away season left to play.

With just four points separating top of the table Newborough and fifth placed Yinnar, top spot and the subsequent week off is well and truly up for grabs. Interest will centre around which teams can secure a top three finish and the double chance.

Morwell East’s early season draw with Trafalgar was initially of concern but could now prove handy in the race to secure a top three finish. The resurgent Hawks have since quickly climbed to second with a big match up with thirdplaced Yallourn-Yallourn North looming,

Fourth-placed Mirboo North will host fifth-placed Yinnar in another big match on Saturday.

Yarragon is best placed from the western end clubs to challenge and the sixth-placed Panthers will give themselves every chance, but with an eight point and significant percentage gap climbing into the five will be difficult.

The Panthers meet top of the table Newborough this week and will need to take some big scalps in the second half of the season to be any chance of playing finals.

Yarragon set about improving at the start of the season and set realistic expectations. Holding sixth will be a win for the club who will aim to make a push for finals next year with a return to their home ground.

Thorpdale, Trafalgar, Boolarra and Hill End appear to be out of the race and will jostle for position at the bottom end of the ladder. All will be hopeful of scoring a win after the break, with Hill End searching for their first win up against Thorpdale while Trafalgar host Boolarra.

Boolara and Thorpdale in particular have improved to trouble the top sides in recent weeks and will aim to cause a few upsets along the way.