MGFNL Season 2026 - Round 6 Preview

Round six of the MGFNL season sees all eyes focused on the huge clash between Yinnar and Fish Creek. The sides have played in some enthralling encounters, including an unbelievably close Grand Final, in recent years and with both vying for a top two spot at seasons end there is plenty on the line at the Yinnar Rec Reserve come Saturday afternoon.

Yinnar v Fish Creek

Some of the individual matchups in this game are unbelievably good. It is almost impossible to know where to start but for me it is nearly always the ruck battle. I mean we start every quarter in the middle and every time a side kicks a goal we go back there so it makes perfect sense in my eyes for this to be a focus.

And both of these sides have an arsenal to run through the ruck with each ruckman bringing their own unique style and spin on the craft. For Yinnar “Bobby” Linton does a power of work in the middle and will hopefully be joined this week by the in and out Jesse Bowe who would likely be one of the leagues tallest rucks.

Fish Creek too have their own big man in ruckman cum “bear in the square” full forward William McTaggart. McTaggart, a genuine dual threat is ably supported by either of the Weidemann brothers who present a threat in the air and at ground level.

And speaking of ground level threats throw in skipper Williams, Tom Valenta and previous league medal winner Tom Cameron and Fishy have the weaponry to get things done when the ball in on the deck in the middle too.

Not to be outdone Yinnar coach Sam McCullch can call upon Nixon Hall, James Jacobsen, James DeVirgilio, Flynn Schill and Clancy Mills which still leaves skipper Ben Cheffers and the ageless Mick Geary waiting in the wings should either be required.

And as if that wasn’t enough both sides have forwards capable of going large. McTaggart will likely have Brendan Chapman for company in the Fish Creek goal square when he is forward. Harry McColl looms as a more than solid plan B if required however he might be best suited going to the more agile Charlie Wilson who has kicked his share of goals for this year as well.

And it will be interesting to see where the Fish Creek coach plays himself. Jarrod Walker has been a lock down back for the last few years but has provided an excellent target in a few games when going forward in season 2026. His positioning in front or behind the ball may well speak to the Fish Creek mindset at the first bounce on Saturday. Is he forward and looking to stretch the Yinnar defence or does he go back to take the likes of Will Roberston at centre half forward for Yinnar?

Not that Robertson is the only threat in the Magpie front fifty- Kane Grinstead Jones has again feasted on goals this year and his partner in crime Mick Geary is never too far away from a bag of majors either. <Insert Anthony Hudson’s voice here> Thirteen between them last week in fact.

What a game it promises to be and of course if you can’t get there Gippsland FMs 104.7 will bring you all the action from a tick after 14:00 hours Saturday afternoon.

We’re really looking forward to the challenge against Fish Creek on our home ground. We know it will be a tough contest, but also a great opportunity to measure where we’re at as a team.

Astute readers may note the absence of a tip here too, and how correct you are. (Fish Creek by 5 points written in white text as I want to get out of Yinnar alive Saturday evening)

Boolarra v Newborough

Coming off a confidence boosting win last week Boolarra return to their home deck for a clash with the Bulldogs this week. With a raft of their travelling players believed to be available this week the Demons will be confident of going back to back.

Unlike in previous weeks the Demons found a way to convert general play dominance to the scoreboard last week against East. They had as many inside fifty opportunities as in previous games but seemingly finally found the recipe to convert territory and possession into score.

Pat Frendo, the Newborough coach, will have noted the goal kickers last week and the likes of Brendan Mason and Matt Devon will undoubtedly have lock down defenders on them from the get go. Frendo will know he needs to take the jam out of the Boolarra donut as early as possible as the Demon’s with the winds in their sails at home will more than trouble a side still hopeful of playing finals.

The Dogs have their share of goal kicking weapons who will keep Boolarra defenders Hot Dogs Rieske and Will Flanagan busy. The Nathan’s, in Curtis and Whieldon both kicked multiples last week and there is a feeling around the league that Whieldon in particular is due for a breakout game as he continues to build momentum after last season’s injury.

The threats don’t stop there with Kyle Jennings likely to run forward from his midfield role and cause the Demon defence their fair share of headaches.

Boolarra coach Brenan Mason noted Newborough “has had the wood over us for a long time” when asked about this week’s game. He was keen to turn things around and added “we understand they may be missing a few but we will have to be at our best to get the result”.

A ripper contest this, with the Demons to prevail.

Foster v Hill End

They’ve taken all before them this season Foster and there is no reason to think that stops this week. Hill End have improved markedly over the off season and continue to do so in season however this is a bridge too far for a developing Rovers team. 

Last week Mirboo North went with a hard a tag on Angus Norton only to see Jack Weston and the Rathjens run riot, not that Norton didn’t still get his share of the footy. And once it went forward to Eddy and Best it was game over. And if somehow you manage to put the clamps on them wait for Cooke, Schnieder of Lidstone to get off the chain.

The work of Tom Hallinan to develop the Hill End list has not gone unnoticed however what may have been under valued this season is his in game handy work. Just last week he righted the sinking ship at the half and turned a walloping at the hands of Thorpdale into a respectable margin. Hopefully he can weave some magic with the magnets this week also.

Maybe Sword to Weston, Ambu in the middle to use his size to stop the free flowing supply to the Foster forwards? Hermanus as a deep forward with his speed and agility might worry the Foster defence?

All worthy ideas and things Hill End may well try but if we thought Stony Creek rolling MDU last week was the upset of the year Hallinan will enter “Scott Boland, build him a statue” areas if he can conjure a win this week.

MDU v Toora

The timing could hardly be worse for Toora to have to head to MDU this week. Up against a side smarting from an upset loss to their biggest rival last week and coming off a belting themselves it is hard to mount a case for the Pies troubling the Demons.

MDU will be eager to right the wrongs of last week and with coach Rhett Kelly mentioning the word effort several times post-game last week one thing Toora can expect is a fired-up Demon side awaiting their arrival. In fact Kelly himself said “I am expecting a huge response from the lads against Toora at home” which suggests to me that MDU will get this one done by a margin.

Tarwin V Stony Creek

Coming off a bye and looking to enhance their finals prospects Tarwin welcome Stony Creek to town this week. In a game that many might have thought was a formality a wining Stony Creek will now travel to Shark Park with a real pep in their step. With Luke Firth hitting the scoreboard with regularity of late and an on field brigade that not only went with but beat one of the best (MDU) last week it is no wonder Stony Creek coach Troy Shepherdson said during the week “we move to Tarwin who we expect another great contest from that we are looking forward to”. Amazing what a win can do.

Tarwin to get the job done for mine.  

Thorpdale v Morwell East

Been going about their business quite well have Daniel Taylor’s Thorpdale. The only blot on their copy book was the near on mandatory loss to Foster who are yet to drop a game. And even in that loss Thorpy managed to keep things respectable with a six goal to eight second half when a thumping loomed large at half time.

As for the East it has been an ordinary run of injury and unavailability since they chalked up their Round Two in over Stony Creek. With Bailey Galante, who has been BOG the last couple of times he has played rumoured to be unavailable this week it is hard to see how East can kick a score that will keep them in touch with Thorpy.

And with Thorpy likely to be battling it out with several other clubs for spots in the finals it is unlikely they will take the foot off the gas as they search for not only the four points but a spike in their percentage which could be pivotal come the post season.

Mirboo North have the bye.