Blues’ one-point thriller
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As we edge deeper into the season, it becomes increasingly difficult for a side to hide.
Some clubs are nearing the point of the season slipping away and may start to cast an eye to next year.
For now, however, there is still life for most, and where there is life there is hope.
Stony Creek v Thorpdale
Stony Creek had signalled, even in defeat to top side Newborough last week, they could be far better than their current ladder position.
However, Thorpdale inflicted further heartbreak on Saturday with a one-point win, 9.660 to 8.11-59
“In extremely blustery conditions, it was a good old-fashioned game of contested country footy,” Thorpdale coach Jason Winderlich reported.
“Both teams had momentum throughout the day and, in all honesty, the game probably deserved to be a draw,” he added. “We were extremely lucky to get that last point with five seconds left to get the four points.”
Winderlich said Stony Creek coach Chris Verboon had his boys playing a good, tough brand around the contest, praising their good system moving the ball out of their backline.
Ecstasy for one team almost always means heartbreak for another. Verboon was left to lament another game let slip.
“Inaccuracy in front of goal killed us again,” Verboon said. “Thorpdale had nothing to lose in the last quarter and, to their credit, were able to come home strong. They have a strong side with some quality talent.”
“As disappointing as it is, we will take a lot of positives from the game,” he added. Tarwin v Hill End
Tarwin are one of a handful of teams desperate to start to string some wins together.
Thought to be a premiership contender, the Sharks could ill afford to let the home game against the winless Rovers slip. They didn’t - coming away 37-point winners, 14.8-92 to Hill End’s 8.7-55.
Tarwin coach Troy Hemming said his side got the four points but “it wasn’t pretty”.
“We had a senior debut for Royce Patterson and he bagged four goals,” Hemming said. “Hill End still has some quality players and they all played well together on the weekend.”
Although free kicks may have favoured the Rovers on the day, Tarwin showed signs of significant improvement and did the job.
Hill End coach Mike Santo said his side showed encouraging signs with the midfield group starting to gel and giving the forwards a chance for one-on-ones.
“Lachie Wilson was unstoppable at full forward, but we just couldn’t give him enough chances to get over the line,” Santo said. “Basic skill errors are really our worst enemy at the moment and ruining any momentum we build during play.”
Although the Hillsmen are yet to register a win, you can take it to the bank they will upset a couple in the run home.
Boolarra v Mirboo North
With both capable of forcing themselves into finals but chances starting to run out, this clash was a possible turning point.
The home side got the win, Boolarra scoring 15.8-98 to defeat Mirboo North 9.10-64.
“It was good to get back on the winners’ list with three quarters of reasonable footy,” Boolarra coach Tony Giardina said. “Mirboo are a very young side and put it right up to us in the third quarter. To the boys’ credit, we lifted in the last quarter and had a good win for the club. Hopefully that gets us going.”
Mirboo North coach Peter Mongta said it was a tough day, crediting Boolarra for working harder for longer.
“We clawed our way back to put ourselves within 10 points in the third quarter,” he said. “But Boolarra kicked away late in the last and our boys couldn’t stop the momentum.
“Season-ending injuries along with soft tissue and illness to quality players, has really tested our depth and it showed in key moments of the weekend’s game,” he added. Toora v MDU
Local rivalries can bring the best out of clubs despite ladder positions.
This clash saw home team Toora sitting second from bottom, whilst MDU enjoyed some comfort inside the top four.
The Magpies were left somewhat satisfied with the 12.16-88 to 5.8-38 scoreline.
MDU coach Nathan Allen said his side got out of Toora with four points after playing in tough and windy conditions against a side who “fought really hard all day”.
Although Magpie faithful thought an upset could be on the cards, there were encouraging signs pointing to better luck in the future.
Toora coach Jack Weston described it as “another step in the right direction”, crediting Meeniyan for taking advantage of turnovers.
“Our stoppage work on the weekend was great and effort from the whole team was up,” Weston said.
Yinnar v Fish Creek
Two top performing sides set up a mouth-watering clash to close out the round.
The Magpies, tough to beat at the best of times, fielded one of their strongest teams of the season on their home ground.
The fearless Lions did not let that stand in the way but fell seven-points short of victory, 7.12-54 to Yinnar’s 9.7-61.
Yinnar coach Daniel Taylor said his team was 20-odd points up with not long to go. However, Fish Creek finished strongly and could have pinched it if they kicked straight.
“It was another hotly contested game of footy that we’re happy to walk away from with another four points,” Taylor said. “I thought we looked the better team but, to Fish Creek’s credit, they didn’t go away.”
Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker said it was a “really hard fought game”, with momentum swings keeping it interesting despite not being overly high scoring.
“Ended up with more scoring shots, which showed we can mix it one of the better teams in the comp,” Walker said.
Bye: Newborough, Morwell East, Foster.
Left: Travis Pickering gives a pep talk to the Thorpdale players at quarter time of the reserves game at Stony Creek.
Above: Tessa Zuidema fires off a pass out of defence in the C grade game against Stony Creek.
Right: Thorpdale centre Mikayla Kunziak displays her drive.
Below: Thorpdale goal keeper Maddy Wood rebounds out of defence against Shady Creek in C grade.
Mid Gippsland photographs by CRAIG JOHNSON.
Garfield shooter Tyla Redwood holds for a pass as Warragul Industrials’ Valerie Ryland defends the shot in A grade.
Left: Unveiling Bunyip Netball Club’s life members stand are eight of the club’s 15 life members (back, from left) Jade Taylor, Tracie Wright, Susie Papley, (middle, from left) Tania Young, Vicki Ross, Kath Halvy, (front, from left) Barbara Giblin and Cathy Dawes.
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Sporting clubs go through plenty of ups and downs over their history. It's a given thanks to the nature of competition.
And while it's safe to say the Bunyip Football Club is going through a down period at the moment, those at the top are determined to see the club through to the other side.
One need only to look at the ladder to see the situation the club finds itself in.
Currently sitting winless on the bottom of the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition with a percentage below 30, the Bulldogs also have been forced to deal with the effects of being the only side unable to field an under 18s side.
Many of the current issues can be traced back to the club's decision to end its relationship with senior coach Tim McGibney at the end of 2022.
The choice proved a controversial one, and an exodus of senior talent followed.
Further turmoil ensued in the off-season, leaving the club to turn to captain Lachlan Petch to take the reins as coach of an extremely inexperienced team weeks out from round one.
But those in charge have said the club has to accept that the past is the past and forge ahead to take the football program back to a competitive level.
First-year club president Noel Mollison and vice present and head of football operations Austinn Jones, along with a new-look committee, have pledged themselves to moving forward.
"You can't look backwards when you're looking forwards. So decisions that have been made are done and dusted. We have to wear that sort of stuff. We can't control the past, we can only follow the narrative that we're on and pursue that," Mollison said.
"I think we're uniquely positioned. We're still a small community, country mindset, competing in arguably the best football competition in this district against bigger towns. I reckon we're unique."
Mollison further explained that while the on-field performances have been poor, the culture off it has been rock solid.
"The off-field stuff is pretty much the polar opposite of the on-field," he said.
"I spoke to some of the boys during the week and they said it doesn't feel like we're getting belted. It's a tight knit group, they're having fun, creating their own identity and culture as a group of mates."
Credit for that cultural strength, Mollison said, should largely go towards Petch.
Despite taking on the role as coach on such short notice and having no expectation of retaining it beyond this season, according to Mollison the influence he's had on the group has been brilliant to watch.
"He's owned it and I reckon our football side's culture is a direct result of him. His leadership is unreal, he's a funny guy, he's likeable, he's a good looking rooster. He's just a good unit."
Due to the lack of an under 18s side and the sheer availability of spots in the senior side, the club is confident that the early exposure to top level footy for their young players will leave them better prepared for years to come.
"The unintended consequences of the predicament we're in is it's easier for kids to play ones."
"We can't do anything about the scores. Small victories are what we're after. Win a quarter, or if a kid whose never kicked a goal before kicks a goal. Small victories."
The club has already seen promising signs from its young talent, such as 19-year old vice captain Alex Dijkstra and brothers Seth and Ned Ashton.
With the club in a financially strong position, the priorities now lie in getting the foundations right for the future.
First and foremost is the senior coach.
Mollison and Jones have begun the process of searching for the person to take the Bulldogs forward in what will be an "aggressive" recruitment campaign.
"We think if we get that position right that we can then start to recruit and retain players," Mollison said.
The club conceded it's not going to be a short fix, however. Jones said that the club "was not naïve" and that they had been "caught behind" other clubs when they transitioned to West Gippsland, but they were now ready to get things right.
"Our football program has been at least five years behind some of these top sides," Jones said.
Jones paid tribute to the local football community, saying that people from all walks of life, including opposition clubs, had gotten behind the struggling Bulldogs.
"The support has been immense, everyone's been able to help. I think that shows the strength local communities have."
Now it's about getting the right people into the right positions.
"We're taking every possible avenue to find our next coach, we're open minded about who it might be and we're going to make sure they're well supported," Jones explained.
Through all the trouble and pain, though, one constant has been the unwavering support of the passionate Bunyip fans.
"No-one likes a losing team. So for the supporters to continue to show up is a testament to the character at the people at this football club," Mollison said.
When asked what his message for Bulldogs fans was, Mollison had two words.
"Stick fat," he said.
"The committee is, the players are. It's a tough road but it's not the first time the club's been through it. And we won't be the last club that has to deal with it, it's just our turn. Stick fat, show support and we'll get through it."
15-year-old Sam Hughes (right) breaks away from his Nar Nar Goon opponent in his first senior game. The Bulldogs’ predicament has given young players like Hughes plenty of opportunities to get a taste of senior football. Photograph courtesy of NAR NAR GOON FOOTBALL CLUB.
Bunyip recently held their sponsors and life members day to great reception. Pictured at the day are WGFNC operations manager Brett Tessari, former AFL legend Stephen Kernahan, Cardinia mayor Tammy Radford and Bunyip Football Club president Noel Mollison.