The last round of the home and away season is still to provide the answers to some of the competitions biggest questions.
Two hours this Saturday afternoon will both make and break certain club's hopes and dreams.
In some ways finals will start before they have even started.
Boolarra v Toora
If ever Boolarra needs a kill, it is this week, just seven days before there will be no second chances come finals time, for a side that has promised plenty for most of the season, only to come up short in the last few weeks.
This is the chance for the Demons to regain some confidence, regain some form and regain the edge that will be required to face the tests that are sure to confront them in the weeks or weeks that follow.
Tony Giardina, Boolarra coach Last week our first quarter was pretty even and from then on Newborough's run and carry started to cut us up. To the boys credit they fought out the last quarter and didn’t let the scoreboard blow out. Next week need to get back on winners list before finals time"
The Demons really do need to both get back on the winners list but also find the sort of game style and intensity that just a fortnight ago had them in second place on the ladder.
This week Toora might not provide the sort of fierce opposition of Newborough the week before but they won't be a walk in the park either.after the Magpies efforts of last week, even in a loss
Matt Ponton, Toora coach "we knew it was going to be a tough game but our players showed fight and competitive play all day which was pleasing to watch and for our fans."
You would expect even more fight from Toora this week, it might not be enough to claim another victory but it will be enough to bring out Boolarra's best.
Fish Creek v Mirboo North
Mirboo North may not be a finals contender, but they have upset some of the biggest clubs in the competition in the past month.
The Tigers this week, like their opponent Fish Creek are playing simply for pride for getting something out of a season that has fallen short of their expectations.
Equally it provides a final platform from which to build their respective 2023 seasons.
Josh Taylor, Mirboo North coach "I'm never going to go down without a fight and once I put that jumper on, no matter what you do, it's just win at all costs, there is no doubt I will be back here playing here next year, I'm really looking forward to what a new coach brings and really looking forward to new ideas and I think for our young group with the experience he brings will be good for the club"
After a week off, Fish Creek will be looking to finish the season on a high after being beaten by a team of Tigers two weeks ago, they face another in-form Tiger team to finish off their year.
John Danckert, Fish Creek coach "The Foster boys were just better for longer in our last match. We showed signs of what might have been for us. now after the bye we have one to play against Mirboo North"
Remarkably both teams would probably have performed admirably if they were to have secured a finals berth, however what they do have is a chance to finish 2022 on a high.
Foster v Hill End
Two clubs that have already locked away their finals involvement still have a few things to consider as they meet this week.
There is a very real possibility that after meeting in the last round of the home and away season, they will clash again just seven days later in a contest that will either make or break their year.
Given that information, just how they approach this week's contest will be intriguing.
Sam Davies, Foster coach "I think we are really hanging out for the bigger games to start - Hill End at home is a great build in for that.
Looking forward to celebrating the seasons of our reserves and netballers as well next week as they finish their seasons off."
There is a lot to be proud of for both clubs, but without doubt there is also so much more to achieve in the weeks ahead.
Hill End might not be at their best, as their match before the bye highlighted..
Mike Santo, Hill End coach "Again we couldn’t put four quarters together but again proved our best is absolutely good enough. the week off came at a good time followed by this week, a great test before finals against Foster.
There is the possibility that these two teams may even meet a week later in the first week of finals, the evenness of the competition meaning just who finishes where and who inevitably plays who, won.t be known until the last last minute of the game.
MDU v Stony Creek
Two very proud and honest sides of the competition will be doing the very best they can to finish off season 2022 with a win that puts a full stop on a year that may not have been what they want, but has been one they could be proud of.
Peter Harris, MDU coach "We are hoping to carry the momentum of the second half into Stony this week. Our last game of the season at home, against our local rivals is sure to be a good contest. We are keen to finish the season positively."
The Demons like many in the competition have shown glimpses of what they are capable of, and on their day are up to mixing it with the very best,, this week they will now require some of that best as they meet a Lions side who would like nothing more than to finish the season with a win.
Jay Acardi, Stony Creek coach "Off to MDU next week were we will be looking to finish the season off on a high"
It has been a season of mixed fortunes for both clubs, and what is left in 2022, is just one more opportunity for success, an opportunity that is available for just one team.
Morwell East v Yinnar
The fact is that finals "officially" start the week after this, however make no mistake, that for Morwell East and Yinnar finals start now!
The Hawks had every chance to lock away their finals hopes last week against Mirboo North, but came up short.
Their loss to the Tigers means now that whoever wins this much anticipated clash between themselves and the Magpies will also have earned the right to take the first step towards a premiership assault.
Devon Soutar, Morwell East coach, "Couldn’t be more disappointed in our lack of desire to compete in the first half considering the size of the opportunity. Produce that rubbish again and we deserve to miss out. I demand and expect a response in what will be an all our war against Yinnar this week for a finals spot."
It has always been thought that Yinnar might be one of the best sides ever to miss out on the MGFNL finals, however, as the cards have fallen in the past week, they might not be out of the picture yet.
Daniel Taylor, Yinnar coach "The Mirboo boys have obviously helped us out by knocking of the East which now sets up a massive game this week. I feel like the East might be feeling a bit of pressure, they were tipped early on as a premiership favourite and right now the sixth spot is theirs to lose, all of a sudden our season is alive so the message for my boys is to enjoy the opportunity, enjoy the day, have some fun and may the best team win!
the victor will deserve their finals chance, and from there anything is possible
Thorpdale v Tarwin
Different coaches might have differing views on what is the best preparation for a finals campaign.
Some enjoy the very best of opposition, some would appreciate the bye to give their players a much needed break, while for Tarwin this week they find themselves up against a side that might be the toughest in the league but they will be a side that throws their very best at the Sharks.
Troy Hemming, Tarwin coach "We go to Thorpdale this week who come off the bye and will be playing their best footy to finish off their season. We really want to finish well to take good form into finals."
Tarwin will be accounting for Thorpdale, but the Blues can always be counted on for their best every week.
Ray Pickering, Thorpdale coach " The positive attitude and good vibes around the group has been a credit to all our boys"
There is still work to be done, for Tarwin their mind will be on what is required in a fortnight's time, while for Thorpdale, season 2023 will hopefully provide them with a small step forward in their development BYE: Newborough
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