MGFNL Season 2026 - Round 18 Review

They, whomever they might be, say a week is a long time in footy. Well after eighteen rounds, sixteen games per side and a full calendar year not a lot has actually changed when it comes to the MGFNL Senior Footy ladder. In terms of sides playing finals, it is Tarwin stepping up from seventh last year to replace Boolarra who finished sixth last season and Yinnar and Fish Creek switching between second and third with other things staying as they were.

So how precisely did round eighteen play out and get us to this familiar outcome? And, crucially, what comes next?

Well let’s take a look.

MDU v Fish Creek

Coming off a bye, and with a flukers chance of obtaining second spot off Yinnar, Fish Creek hit the ground running in their game at MDU. The Kangas banged on five early goals and appeared set to sail into the finals as winners.

MDU however had other ideas and thanks to a five goal to two second half caused one of the upsets of the year winning 11-13-79 to 9-9-63.

They’ve been a bit like Shakespear this year MDU, hard to read, with their best being good and their worst being really poor, but it looks like coach Rhett Kelly found the script this week as his side cemented fourth spot with a massive win.

After conceding early scores MDU went bang bang at the fourteen minute mark of the first term to swing momentum their way mid-way through the opening stanza. But as good sides do Fishy replied and replied strongly with four in a row of their own. In fact, if it were not for a late MDU goal with twenty-eight minutes played the Kangas lead at the first break would have been greater than the two goals it was.

And when the visitors piled on more two more in the second term they had scored nearly double their opponents and it was almost time to look toward next week.

The home side had other ideas though and dug in.

Jamie Youle, almost a lock for team of the year, was in everything and Kieran Bohn regularly turned defence into attack and when Brayden Sellings hit the scoreboard the half time lead was only three points and MDU had Sherminator like levels of confidence as they jogged into the rooms.

The third term saw MDU kick three goals to two and head to their huddle with a three point lead. Surrounded by their fans who urged them on coach Kelly asked for one last effort. And one last effort he got.

While MDU might have only kicked two more themselves they kept Fish Creek goalless for the term, only the Kangaroos third goalless term for the season, to chalk up the win by fourteen points.

After the win MDU coach Rhett Kelly was clearly one happy camper saying he was “super, super pleased with the result. It was a really good win and something we needed to build a bit of momentum and belief heading into finals”.

Kelly continued with “Fish Creek had a few blokes missing, but they still had plenty of top-end talent, and their stars played really well. What I loved most was our even contribution across all twenty one blokes. Everyone played their role, did the team things and got the job done”.

Asked about the coming week Kelly said “we can look forward to Thorpdale. They got the better of us a couple of weeks ago, but I think we’ll be a lot better for that experience. We can make a few adjustments, get our preparation right and go in with plenty of belief”.

Kelly wrapped up like all good coaches tend to with “really proud of the boys, but there's plenty of work to be done.”

His opposite number Jarrod Walker paid credit to MDU saying they “played really well all day and never really allowed us to get the game on our terms”.

Whilst Walker acknowledged it was “a disappointing loss to end the home and away season” he was hopeful it was “a little sharpen up for us heading into the finals”. 

Newborough V Stony Creek

Newborough went into this clash knowing their destiny was not in their own hands but also knowing the one thing they could control was getting the win they needed to get to be any hope of a final’s appearance. Whilst things didn’t start as planned with Stony Creek kicking three of the first four gaols the Doggies settled in the second half to run out winners 13-9-87 to 6-12-48.

With Stony Creek calling on Chris Verboon for only his second game of the season and having Angus Mcinnes double up from the Reserves the visitors really threw everything they had at Newborough before running out of petrol tickets after the main break.

Newborough sent defender Macally Bronsan to Luke Firth and Liam Fitzpatrick to Verboon in an attempt to quell the two big guns in the Stallions front half while letting Josh Pearce run free at the other end.

And it was Pearce who got things under way when he took a cheeky drive by handball to kick the games first of the day. By the end of the term, he would have two goals and by the end of the game six in an effort that saw him named second best on ground for the tricolours.

Matt Heywood was given the nod for best on with Bronsan acknowledged for keeping Firth off the score sheet with third best.

For Stony Creek Verboon slotted three majors with three others kicking one each.

Tarwin v Boolarra

Tarwin needed to win to be assured of a finals berth and to win well, and hope Fish Creek won, to avoid finishing sixth and facing Fish Creek in week one of the finals. Well, the Sharks did their bit piling on eight first quarter majors before running out winners 20-12-132 to 11-8-74.

Alas MDU upset Fish Creek but after missing the post-season last year Tarwin will be wrapped to be back in the finals mix.

With such a huge quarter time lead Tarwin coach Lachie Jones needed to ensure his side didn’t take the foot off the pedal after the first break. And his side didn’t let him down booting three of the games next four goals to blow the lead out to a game high fifty-five points heading toward the main change.

Out-going Boolarra coach asked his side for a lift at the half and got exactly that with the Demons much more competitive after the game was decided. They kicked seven second half goals to nine and put in a performance much more aligned with their talents than what they displayed in the first half.

In a positive sign for coach Lachie Jones heading into finals several of his best payers had good individual performances with Troy Harley and Ben Ellen joining Jones as the best three on the park. Toby Mahoney booted five and Jordan Bertacco and Rem Dal pozzo got three each.

For the defeated Demons the co-captains Mason Porykali and Joel Mason joined Tim Potter as the best trio on the ground. Mat Devon booted three to take his seasons tally to thirty-five and the little fella must surely be a smoky for team of the year honours in a forward pocket.

Post game Tarwin coach Lachie Jones was up and about beaming as he said “Obviously really happy to grab sixth spot” adding that “I think our percentage reflects us earning our finals place”.

On his opponents Jones said, “Boolarra have some prime movers and the start was crucial to winning the match. Eight goals to one in the first quarter proved the difference”. 

Asked about individual performers Jones said “Bertacco, Garnham and Ellen were all terrific in the middle for us. Dan Houston is ever reliable in defence and we welcomed back Mark McCall who does his job as always down back. Harley was busy and selfless as always up front”. 

And looking ahead to next week? Jones reflected on Saturday’s win; “The game was a bit of a second half shootout so we will put effort and concentration into how we avoid that” before finishing up with “an elimination finals awaits us in Fish Creek and we are excited for the week ahead”. 

Yinnar v Thorpdale

When second plays fourth a week before the final series starts you might well expect a close contest. Well clearly the memo the AFL sent to its member clubs didn’t reach Thorpy. With the ‘Dales knowing they’d finish fourth or fifth no matter the outcome coach Daniel Taylor opted to rest a cricket team’s worth of talent which helped Yinnar run out huge winners 23-21-159 to 3-3-21.

And in Taylor’s defence, his job, which he has done before, is to win a flag not a Round Eighteen clash.

With regular Reserves players standing next to team of the year contenders on almost every line this was always going to be a one sided battle. And when Lachy Pratt and Will Robertson decided to both hit the ground running early it was no surprise the scoreline finished how it did.

The duo had two each before Grinstead Jones joined the party and the lead was out to thirty-nine points before Shaun Falla kicked truly for the visitors.

The second quarter saw Yinnar add another six while keeping Thorpy to just two behinds. During the third term the Pies helped themselves to eight majors while Thorpdale managed two goals to head to the huddle 113 points in arrears.

Thankfully for Thorpdale, who were rendered scoreless in the last term, Yinnar lost their radar and finished with three goals, seven behinds or the final margin could have been north of 150 points.

In retrospect with Yinnar having a week off before facing Foster for a spot in the Grand Final and Thorpdale facing MDU in an elimination final it might be argued neither side got what they needed in their last home and way game. Conversely history will judge the outcome rather favourably should either of these sides hold the Cup aloft in a month’s time.

For Yinnar Harvey McKay was best on ahead of Pratt and Robertson who booted six and five goals respectively.

Meanwhile Thorpy credited “The Hyphen”, James Holland-Burch, Shaun Falla and Hayden Britten as their best.

Hill End v Foster

Foster finished their season with an away trip to Hill End and got exactly what they needed, a win and no injuries as they look ahead to a month of footy that will see them try to defend their 2025 Premiership. The win, 4-9-33 to 19-6-120, was set up with a six goal to nil first quarter by the visitors.

And after conceding three goals to Hill End in the second quarter Foster responded with a seven goal to one third term to lead by near on thirteen goals at the last break.

After the win Jake Best commented that “the game seemed a lot closer than what the scoreboard said” recognising the never say die attitude of the Rovers. He continued that it was “great to get the win today” before adding that he was “looking forward to having a week off and starting our finals campaign”.

For Foster Brett Eddy and coach Jake Best led the way in terms of goal kickers with six and five respectively. Jack Flavelle was again named best on with Angus Norton and Tom Schnieder separated on the better players list by Eddy.

For Hill End Kade Perkins booted three and Harry Moore one. Ambu Uliando was best on along with Bayley and Darcy Paul.

Hill Ends coach Tom Hallinan, who has been a great contributor to our coverage all year, summarised the loss simply, “outclassed by Foster”.

On his side Hallinan was strong saying “our boys never put the queue in the rack. That was noted in the second quarter with three goals to four being scored”.

Hallinan praised his defence saying the “backs were outstanding due to frequent front exits from stoppage by Foster”.

In terms of individual efforts Hallinan offered the following “we tried Tom Johnstone as a mid, swapping with Ambu Uliando. Sam Hanson contested well in the ruck. Rebound and composure from Bayley and Darcy Paul was exceptional from half back with Kade Perkins providing terrific spark in the first half kicking three goals”.

Hallinan, who was without midfield weapon Seth Calway for the game added that his side was “down to one fit player on the bench at the start of the first term after Sword was concussed and Fawcett fractured his arm in the first five minutes”.

Asked about the overall season Hallinan concluded with “the 2026 season was a terrific foundation year. Yes we have lowered our colours to some slick teams but we never lowered our colours to those below us, or Newborough and MDU who finish above us. We have work to do, but we now know what that work looks like off the back of a terrific bank of evidence that we anticipate will assist 2027 recruitment”.

Morwell East V Mirboo North

Keen to leave the MGFNL on a winning note Morwell East put in one of their better performances of the season on Saturday. The home side led by six points to start the last term only to see Mirboo North kick three of the games last four goals to win 7-6-48 8-8-56.

Bailey Galante continued his hot form for the East winding up his season with yet another best on ground performance to go with his two goals. Cain Iorangi too continued his strong late season run being named second best ahead of Bailey Brown and Jarryd Picket.

For Mirboo North Jesse Chilla was best ahead of the ever reliable Hudson Kerr and Beau Peters. Hayden Potts and the again un-retired Josh Taylor led the goal kickers with two each.

After the win Mirboo North coach Damien Turner summarised the game as such; “Morwell East lead at all breaks and really brought a hard contest, but we continued to trust our process and plans which was the most pleasing aspect”.

Turner continued “our second half I felt we got the territory battle on our side, but the conversion didn’t come until the last quarter”.

Turner added it was a “great hard fought win to close out the season. Proud as ever of the boys especially our 2nd half of season form”, before closing with “good luck to the teams in finals over the next month”! 

Next Week

Foster and Yinnar have earnt the right to a week off for finishing one and two.

While the big guns lay in wait, MDU and Thorpdale will go head to head as will Fish Creek and Tarwin in elimination finals. Win and you stay in, lose and it is mothballs for the year.

All games will be covered by Gippsland FM 104.7 for those who cannot get along to Mirboo North or Hill End.