A loss as Hill End head into finals
The 2022 MGFNL season always seemed destined to deliver what it had long promised, one of the most competitive, interesting and challenging seasons in decades.
Foster v Hill End
Two of the genuine premiership contenders of the competition clashed in what was always going to be an intriguing contest.
Entering Saturday, there was the very real possibility these could also meet in the first week of finals, depending on how results unfolded around them.
That twist meant that coaches - as much as they wanted to win - also needed to learn in anticipation of a match meaning so much more in just seven days.
In the end, Foster won 10.12-72 to Hill End 7.5-47.
“Happy with our last hit out against Hill End - we have a lot of time for Mike (Santo) and their group,” Foster coach Sam Davies said. “They’re a top side who will have a big say in how the season ends up.”
“Our first three quarters defensively, were some of our best this year and gives us a great amount of confidence going into finals,” Davis reflected.
“Finals is a test, and we will have to play four quarters of disciplined footy to keep winning.”
Winning form is the best form going into finals. So, for Hill End, the result wasn’t exactly what they needed.
“We were really good for one quarter, competitive for two and beaten badly in one which was the difference in the game,” Hill End coach Mike Santo said. “We have a lot of respect for Sam and the boys from Foster, and they deserved the four points on the weekend.”
Thorpdale v Tarwin
Tarwin coach Troy Hemming had been presented with what might be called a soft runway through to the MGFNL finals.
Confronted with the two bottom of the table sides in the last fortnight, the Sharks would look ahead to a bye before a first final where the winner will gain direct passage to the grand final.
As important as winning was, it was always going to be about how they won, and how his major playmakers survived ahead of far greater challenges. Tarwin finished victors, 13.13-91 to Thorpdale 2.9-21.
“We played played Thorpdale and I think we got what we wanted as a team out of it,” Tarwin coach Troy Hemming said. “Our boys have been great all year and got top spot, so I’m very proud of them and everyone involved.”
It is the first time in club history that Tarwin has finished top of the ladder.
The win didn’t come without some disappointment observed from the sidelines, with Tarwin supporters voicing their disapproval of a number of incidents.
Blues coach Ray Pickering, well respected in his own right, has tirelessly committed to having his side play as best they can.
“Tough greasy conditions welcomed us,” Pickering said. “We had a great start, with a very competitive first quarter. But a poor 15 minutes to start the second, saw the game slip away.”
“Tarwin showed just a bit too much polish in the conditions,” he added.
Morwell East v Yinnar
Contrasting seasons for these two teams led them to a day where there were no second chances, no excuses and nowhere to hide.
Morwell East is a side full of talent but this has proven difficult to harness for coach Devon Soutar. They were confronted by an obviously motivated Yinnar team, excited by the unexpected opportunity to steal a finals spot. This was enough for the Magpies away from home and against the odds to win the hard-fought game in testing conditions, 3.17-35 to 1.6-12.
“Great to get the win and get into the finals,” Yinnar coach Daniel Taylor said. “It was tough conditions, but I felt like we outworked and outplayed them for the majority of the day. Inaccurate kicking kept them in it.”
“Really proud of how the boys went about it, we cracked in all day and really deserved the win,” Taylor added. “I thought the East were up for the fight, but we controlled the territory battle and, in tough conditions, they couldn’t get their transition game going.”
The Magpies have been looking ominous for some time now, even when falling on the wrong side of results on a number of occasions. Without question, this victory was their most important.
For their opponents, the result was the most devastating.
“It was a season that began with potential and promise, but ended in utter disappointment,” Morwell East coach Devon Soutar said. “Inconsistent early in the year and missed opportunities late, with no one to blame but ourselves.”
“It’ll certainly sting watching the others fight it out while we lick our wounds.”
Boolarra v Toora
For a fair chunk of the season, it appeared that Boolarra had improved so significantly that a top two spot might be locked in. A throw at the premiership stumps was likely.
However, recent weeks had thrown a question mark up above the head of the Demons. As a result, a win and some form was desperately needed.
That was exactly what Boolarra delivered with a 20-goal win, 20.7-127 to Toora’s 2.3-15.
“Good to be on the winners’ list again,” Boolarra coach Tony Giardina. “Boys started the game well in pretty harsh conditions, and didn’t take the foot off which was pleasing.”
Boolarra get to look and plan, whilst Toora can grab a head start on 2023 after an honest season.
“A wet day to start the game, both teams played to the conditions, but Boolarra had very clean hands in their forward line,” Toora coach Matthew Ponton said. “Our boys fought hard all day in the conditions and really gave it a fair crack, which we couldn’t ask for much more.”
Fish Creek v Mirboo North
When hopes of finals are gone, coaches and players search for reasons to perform and carefully motivate.
For the Tigers, long term coach and respected teammate Josh Taylor had been forced to the sidelines with a hamstring injury, and would be in charge for the last time.
For the Kangaroos, it was a home ground opportunity to beat a quality opposition in front of a healthy crowd. That is what the Kangaroos delivered, winning 10.11-71 to 7.6-48.
Fish Creek coach John Danckert said it was a terrific win.
“The pleasing aspect was we were challenged and responded the right way,” Danckert said. “We wanted to finish the year off strong, and winning four from our last five games gives us plenty of momentum going into 2023.”
The Kangaroos certainly finished the season well. But, like their opponents, lost games early proved to be costly late.
Taylor said his side went into half-time up by three goals.
“The boys worked super hard and almost deserved to be up by a couple more kicks,” Taylor said. “But, after half-time, Fishy wanted it more. As conditions dried up and became sticky, they just used it better and ran out the game much better.”
MDU v Stony Creek
With finals hopes gone, the challenge for the Lions was to retain that same focus, endeavour and tenacity that had seen them climb many positions up the ladder.
MDU stood in the way of that challenge, wanting and hoping to claim just one more victory in front of a deserving home crowd.
The Demons can out on top, 9.6-60 to defeat Stony Creek 4.9-33.
MDU coach Peter Harris said it was a great way to finish the season against neighbours Stony Creek.
“Boys were up for the challenge and they delivered in front of a big crowd celebrating past premierships,” Harris said.
The game was played fiercely but fairly, and was a great example of the spirit of the competition.
“Not the way we wanted to end the season against MDU, but at the end of the day we were outplayed by a better team,” Stony Creek coach Jay Accardi said.
BYE: Newborough.