High flying Blues win three
A lot has been said about the evenness of the MGFNL competition and the sort of pressure that puts on players on a week-to-week basis.
That pressure is amplified on the coaches, who not only have to deal with the prospect of quality opposition but also their player injuries, unavailability and periods of poor form.
Morwell East v Thorpdale
Morwell East had been flying in the first month before a loss to Newborough delivered somewhat of a reality check.
The Blues, buoyed by two wins in as many weeks, arrived at the Home of the Hawks with every intention of making it three from three.
And, that’s exactly what they achieved, winning 9.8-62 to Morwell East 4.7-31.
Thorpdale coach Jason Winderlich said it was a result for the club who took home two footy wins.
“Hard fought contest early as both teams were fighting for the upper hand around stoppages and loose ball gets,” Winderlich reflected.
“We were able to capitalise on some forward entries in the second quarter, and maintain the lead for the remainder of the game.”
“Looking ahead to this week, we are still realistic as to where we sit amongst the league,” he added, with the group to focus on recovery, training and developing cohesion.
The win by the Blues was even more impressive due to the fact Morwell East were well prepared for what was coming.
Morwell East coach Paul Henry said his boys scored a goal in the first 30 seconds, and their ball movement against the wind in the first quarter was excellent.
“The next three quarters, Thorpy really stepped it up,” Henry said. “Although we still kept cracking in and, at moments, I thought we were coming, but to Thorpy’s credit, they just didn’t allow the momentum to swing our way for a long period of time.”
Hill End v MDU
The nightmare for any coach is when you start to wonder where your first win will come from.
Decimated by injuries and player unavailability, Hill End entered the weekend hopeful this would be the one to secure premiership points and lay the foundation for the weeks ahead.
Instead, it was the reality of their position that was laid bare with MDU winning 22.10142 to Hill End 7.9-51.
“We got off to a great start and never looked back today, converting whenever we got a chance,” MDU coach Nathan Allen said. “When we play our way, we can be hard to play against.”
The Demons were good, maybe even better than they have been in the wins prior. For Hill End, they continue to show glimpses of what they can do, but not for the length of time required to actually win games.
Hill End coach Mike Santo said MDU played well, using the width of the ground to spread his team out.
“We played well in patches again and was good to see some of our players improving,” Santo said.
There is no doubt Hill End will snatch a victory sooner rather than later, However, picking in which that clash will be, is getting more difficult each week.
Boolarra v Yinnar
Still a little way off being able to field their very best sides, both clubs had to find a way to win with what they’ve got.
The Demons, coming off a bye, needed a win on their home deck against the reigning premiers, but just couldn’t get the job done. Yinnar scored 9.15-69 to Boolarra 6.6-42.
“A dominant first quarter set the day up for us,” Yinnar coach Daniel Taylor said. “Unfortunately, we copped four injuries throughout the day and were two players down midway through the first quarter.”
Taylor said inaccurate kicking in the second and third - 11 points - kept Boolarra in the game.
The disappointment of letting another important game get away will not sit well with the Demons.
“Again, we gave a top side a start,” Boolarra coach Tony Giardina said. “Kept them goalless for two quarters, they turned the heat up in the last, and the game was over.”
Foster v Mirboo North
The battle of the two Tigers teams was always going to be fiercely contested.
Make no mistake, the importance of the win made it a finals-like contest.
The home side signalled they are the Tiger team ready for the big time, winning comfortably 23.13-151 to 4.4-28.
Foster coach Sam Davies said it was nice to get some real confidence back into the group.
“We’ve shown little glimpses all year, and today we put four quarters together after tinkering with a few little things throughout the week,” Davies said.
Positive reinforcement was not mirrored for Mirboo North. Peter Mongta’s men now face clawing their way back to respectable performances we have come to accept.
“It was the biggest loss of the season on the weekend against a side that did everything right,” Mongta said.
“Foster hit the scoreboard very early and didn’t look back. We struggled to make any impact in and around the contest with bigger bodies and good outside run that really hurt us.”
Tarwin v Fish Creek
On the surface, Tarwin hadn’t seemed to be bringing the same sort of game as last year, when the Sharks were clearly the benchmark of the home and away competition.
Back on their home deck and after an indifferent start to the season, this clash had quickly become their most important of 2023.
But, you wouldn’t have thought it, as Fish Creek 8.5-52 defeated the disappointing Sharks 4.4-28.
Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker said it was a very pleasing win.
“With our injury list growing by the week, to have even contributors across the ground was great to see,” Walker said.
The Kangaroos have been quietly, but effectively, going about their business, and are close to bobbing their head up around the very top couple on the MGFNL ladder.
“We had some passages of play that looks like us, and then momentum changes and we can’t get it back,” Tarwin coach Troy Hemming said.
Toora v Newborough
In the Game of Thrones, there was plenty of fear and apprehension based on the warning that “Winter is Coming”.
To bring that phrase back into the MGFNL and throw in an in-form Newborough, you knew Toora would be tested to the max.
Newborough won comfortably, 19.18-132 to Toora 5.6-36, but the Magpies did feel as they fought the match out as best they could.
Newborough coach Craig Skinner said a consistent four quarters and no major injuries was taken away from the bus trip to the Toora wind farm.
After a disappointing performance the week prior, Toora coach Jack Weston said he wanted a response.
“To the boys’ credit, we responded and pushed a great side for a half, dropping away after half-time,” Weston said. “Our intensity and effort around the ball early was fantastic.”
Bye: Stony Creek.