No tomorrow for Thorpdale
There was no tomorrow for the loser of the elimination final, with a years’ work to be tested in the clash between Mirboo North and Thorpdale.
You can sometimes get a sense of the type of afternoon you might be in for in the early minutes of a game, and for the Blues, it didn’t look good.
A rushed behind by Thorpdale, courtesy of a kick off the ground was mistakenly called a goal by the officiating goal umpire. This lead to a heated complaint by Thorpdale players to the umpires, resulting in a free kick in from of the Tigers goals and a second goal without the ball getting back to the centre.
In muddy conditions that tested both sides skills and fitness, goals were absolutely priceless, and Mirboo had four of them at quarter time, courtesy of a strong breeze, and some good work from Tim Trail and Zac Kilgower, whilst keeping their opposition to a single goal.
The Tigers are a very close community club, who in recent times have been tested by the passing of one of the clubs admired and respected players in Kal Nash.
When his brother Jake wore Kal’s number one guernsey out on to the ground, it was obvious that the Tigers were playing for a departed team mate as much as they were for the right to compete for another week. For the winners an upcoming clash with Yallourn-Yallourn North.
The second quarter was going to be crucial for the Tigers control on the game, needing to temper Thorpdale’s use of the wind and continuing to surge forward themselves and giving opportunities to their key forward in Tim Trail.
The work rate of Mirboo continued at an impressive standard, even with Jed Alexander and Riley Oddy coming to the bench with slight injuries.
At half time it was the Tigers with a 23-point margin at the main break.
The heavy conditions were starting to have an impact on players as the second half started, the use of ball, decision making, work ethic and the sharing of the load all starting to play a more important part.
Mirboo North really put the acid on their opponents and dominated in all of the key areas, blowing the game open and leading by close enough to 10 goals at the final break.
This game was over, the reigning premiers signalling they are on the march again and capable of beating anyone in any conditions.
Next week it will be Yallourn-Yallourn North who will be planning to do what they did just a fortnight ago, and that’s dominate the Tigers, but time will tell.
Bloods Reserves bow out
Trafalgar bowed out in the Reserves, going down to Newborough 7-7 (49) to 2-4 (16).
While the Bloods fought hard in the second half, a slow start proved costly as the Bulldogs kicked out to a five-goal half time lead.
Troy Wilson, Thomas Wyatt, Lincoln Weymouth, Brady Heywood, Daniel Heathcote and Greg Kneebone were the better players for Trafalgar.
Mirboo North comfortably accounted for Yallourn-Yallourn North in the Thirds, 9-15 (69) to 5-3 (33).
Better conversion was the difference in the Fourths, as Boolarra scored 4-7 (31) to YallournYallourn North’s 1-10 (16).
Traf hosts semi
Mid Gippsland Football League’s first semi finals will be played at Trafalgar on Sunday.
Seniors: Yallourn-Yallourn North v Mirboo North. Reserves: Newborough v Mirboo North. Thirds: Newborough v Mirboo North. Fourths: Yinnar v Boolarra.