02/9 Qualifying Final
1st Newborough v 2nd Fish Creek @ Boolarra
You sense that Newborough are far better prepared this year than last, coach Craig Skinner in 2022 having to grapple with a bye in the last game of the home and away season, followed by a week off in the first week of finals, before a win in this corresponding game last year meant yet another break before grand final day. In short, last year they were ripe for the picking, in 2023 there would be no excuses.
Craig Skinner, Newborough coach " we were happy to finish the season off with a hard fought win (over Tarwin) and after a week off to reset we have now prepared for Fish Creek this week."
For the Kangaroos, who have surged into contention in the back half of the season, you sense that they are now ready to challenge the undisputed premiership favourites for a direct route to the 2023 MGFNL Grand final.
Jarred Walker, Fish Creek coach "we are looking forward to coming up against clearly the best team of the year in Newborough, there is no doubt this first final will be a massive challenge, but it is something I feel our group has been building towards all year, we will have a slightly different side to the first time we played them so I can't wait to see how we go."
It was round of this year when these two sides last clashed and on that occasion it was Newborough in a lopsided affair that walked away comfortable victors 17-6-108 to Fish Creek 4-6-30.
It would be fair to say the result would not be expected to be anywhere as one sided as that, but in finals we have come to prepare ourselves to expect the unexpected.
03/9 Elimination Final
Winners of Elimination Semi Finals @ Tarwin
MDU v Thorpdale
As each week passes the wagon of Thorpdale supporters is quickly starting to grow, the Blues have been the feel good story of country football in 2023 as the wooden spooners of the year prior continue to take all before them.
The past six months have been a dream and on what has been seen, there is no reason to believe that they cannot continue their memorable run.
Jason Winderlich, Thorpdale coach “We now require a big week of recovery to give ourselves an opportunity against MDU. They have an extra day up their sleeve so will be fresh come next Sunday. Nath has them playing a great brand of footy with good ball movement that suits their extremely dangerous forward line!! we will head down south and give it a crack!! MDU managed a way to find a win when most might not have last week, the Demons were good, but will need to be better against a side that is going as good as any of those that are standing, Nathan Allen, MDU coach “From where these guys have come from over the last few years, last week was our first final in about 8 years and first final win in almost 20 years! We look forward to next Sunday. Will be against a good team so looking forward to it! Only four teams remain in the race for the premiership and make no mistake anyone of the four is capable of taking it out!
09/9 Preliminary Final Loser of Qualifying Final v Winner of Elimination Final Foster
16/9 Grand Final Winner of Qualifying Final v Winner of Preliminary Final Morwell East
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