Rovers prevail over rivals in hard fought encounter

In another exciting round of MGFNL, it was the final match of the weekend that created the most interest and anticipation.

The clash between the Hawks and the Bulldogs played on Saturday night was always destined to draw a healthy crowd, for a couple of of reasons. One, because of the unique night time fixture but two, and more importantly, because the two teams wanted to get a firm grip on a limited top five position.

Hill End v Foster

Some people get on, some people don't. Some clubs have a healthy rivalry, some have a rivalry with a twist of nasty as well.

From the outside looking in, it appears in a very short time these two teams have not only established a new found rivalry but also there is not much love lost between the two.

The Rovers are always keen to make their home ground a nightmare for any visiting teams. With the competition so tight, winning this one would also deliver some extra satisfaction for the victors.

That's what the Hillsmen got, winning by one straight kick 11.9-76 to 10.9-69.

Hill End coach Mike Santo said Foster played a high pressure game and was very well coached, adding "Zane Duursma is a legitimate top five AFL draft pick if ever I've seen one".

"A hard fought game that we were happy to come out on top of," reflected Santo. "We were able to gain some ascendency around the stoppages, which enabled us to play the game in our half for a majority of the day. It was big step up from last week and encouraging win with Luke Mulqueen, Chase Saunders and Ben Kerrigan crucial in the win."

The loss came in a game played in good spirits but was another tough one for Foster to take, the Tigers seemingly ever so close every week.

"Hill End beat us through the midfield all day, which gave their forwards one on ones and ground coverage," Foster coach Sam Davies said. "We still nearly pinched it, but ultimately need to be better for longer throughout the games."

He was also impressed with Duursma, stating "do yourself a favour and follow Zane Duursma's journey, what a treat".

Duursma is a name thrown around at the highest level already at Port Adelaide. It seems it won't be long before another from the famous Foster family will be on show.

Yinnar v Thorpdale

Yinnar have proved to be the most difficult side to read in a handful of games to date.

The Magpies are seemingly unbeatable one week and then almost a shadow of their former self just seven days later.

Coach Daniel Taylor knows he has the artillery to go to war against almost every side in the competition. But having his men ready to perform at their very best "every" week is proving to be a little more difficult.

After a team meeting during the week rather than a training session, the Yinnar side did what they knew they could and did it better than they thought they might. They produced one of the biggest wins of the season, 22.17-149 to 0.9-9.

"The boys responded well after a disappointing two weeks, (a) full four quarter effort by the boys which was great to watch," Yinnar coach Daniel Taylor said. "Great to be back on the winners' list in what is a very tight competition. It was a tough day for Thorpy, (who) we know had a few out which makes it hard. But I thought they battled on all day."

The loss was too much for Thorpdale coach Ray Pickering, reflecting "completely outplayed by a good outfit in Yinnar...sorry I just have nothing else to say."

The fact is you sometimes have a dirty day, and this was one of those days for the Blues. You can also forgive a side for "not being there" on the odd occasion, but you cannot forgive two in a row and that is now the challenge for Thorpdale.

Morwell East v Newborough

Further enhancing their reputation as one of the league's big improvers, Newborough comfortably accounted for Morwell East 11.17-83 to 5.9-39.

Newborough coach Craig Skinner said it was great to be part of Morwell East's initiative to play under lights on a Saturday night, "it just might suit us".

"Not always as a coach does preparation meet expectation, but I felt Saturday night is as close as I've been. A good start was important for our young team against a side of experienced players, (who) if all were in their prime are an interleague squad."

The start was the key for the visitors, but it shouldn't have been a start that surprised the home side.

Morwell East coach Devon Soutar said it was a carbon copy of their first game of the year, "just completely out worked, especially early".

"We were able to somewhat stabilise after quarter time, but never managed to make inroads," Soutar said. "In terms of prioritising team structure, communication and work ethic, a stark contrast was on display for all to see. At the moment we have a number of players who would sell their soul for the group, but far too many are comfortable sitting in the back of the bus. Extremely disappointing considering the enormity of the game."

The door is well and truly open for sides to step up and take opportunity, but there are limited opportunities.

Boolarra v Mirboo North

After winning their last two by less than a kick to find confidence, Boolarra quickly knocked it out of the visiting Mirboo North with a 10.3-63 to 6.5-41 victory.

Boolarra coach Tony Giardina was happy to be back on the winners' list after a crucial contest.

"A tough first half as I expected against Mirboo North," reflected Giardina. "Our ball use was letting us down, but again we cleaned that up after half-time and the game started to open up for us. Still a tough contest 'til the end."

Mirboo North certainly had some pre-game issues to deal with, but you line up as you line up, and the Tigers were seemingly not near the side many thought they would be.

"It was a really disappointing day for the club," Mirboo North coach Josh Taylor said. "Unfortunately, we have been hit by the 'flu and COVID and had 11 guys out in seniors, which inevitably hurt us across the board both reserves and seniors."

"We still had chances in the game where we looked the better side at stages, but blokes not playing at 100 per cent took its toll," Taylor added. "Boolarra moved the ball quite well and midway through the second quarter they ramped it up. No excuses on our end, we had chances but were just flat all day."

Unfortunately for the Tigers, the opportunities to have more flat days have just about gone.

Fish Creek v Tarwin

Tarwin's improvement found another level when the Sharks made light work of Fish Creek, 21.5-131 to 6.7-43.

Tarwin coach Troy Hemming was very proud of his boys staying disciplined and grinding away with Fish Creek all day.

"They threw what they had us, and the boys rode it out and sent it to the scoreboard," Hemming said. "A great day of football."

Clubs continue to struggle with numbers, COVID, the 'flu, injuries and availability all adding pressure on putting a side on the park.

Fish Creek coach John Danckert said he had 12 out at the start of the day and finished the game with 17 players again.

"That being said, Tarwin are a really good outfit, quick and really efficient with the footy," Danckert said. "We felt we matched them at centre clearance, but from then on, they tore us apart."

Tarwin were not in the conversation pre-season when the talk was about final five sides, but they certainly are now.

Toora v MDU

After a well-timed week off, Toora came within just one straight kick of winning their first match of the season.

On a high after their one-point victory over Hill End, MDU held out the Magpies 8.6-54 to 7.9-51.

"We came so close, our side was well drilled and put in effort all day," Toora coach Matt Ponton said. "Our backline was amazing and two players, in particular, played great all day. Peter Grant and Jack Weston did amazing work, our structure was really strong and made everything for MDU tough. I'm proud of the players for the guts they showed."

The win was an important one for the Demons to stay in touch with the all important top five.

"All credit needs to go to Toora, they made us play the game on their terms," MDU coach Peter Harris said. "We did just enough to take home the four points. We can have faith we can turn it around for next week's massive challenge against the Bulldogs."

The competition is such that no side can spend too much time bathing in their success before quickly turning their attention to the week ahead.