MGFNL Season 2026 - Round 7 Preview

Round Seven of the MGFNL is highlighted by the battle between Fish Creek and MDU, a couple of the sides rightfully eyeing off a top two spot at seasons end. This clash will go long way to deciding whether or not MDU can make the step up to compete with the best in the business or whether or not the likes of Fish Creek, Yinnar  and Foster still have their measure.

Fish Creek v MDU

If we take a line through Yinnar here we should be in for a hell of a game between these two sides. MDU made the trip to Yinnar in Round Two and were beaten by just the four points, while Fish Creek made the trip there last week and came away with a five point win- so arguably there is only a kick or two between these sides as they head into what really is a season defining clash.

Both sides lay claim to an elite midfield and a power forward or two capable of going large. We saw Paddy Kerr slot a dozen for MDU last week while in the absence of Will McTaggart Charlie Wilson stepped up with his third bag of five or better for the year for the Kangaroos. Not of course that Kerr is a one-man band for his side with Nick Nagel more than capable of filling his boots in the Demon front half too.

It seems to me that Jack Hayes and his coach Jarrod Walker are the likely duo to get the tasks on Nagel and Kerr with Tom Valenta a logical Plan B should either cut loose. Whomever gets Hayes for company will do well to take him as close to goal as possible as his intercept marking across half back is often the source of many a goal for Fish Creek.

In the middle Fishy have the tough as teak Luke Williams joining the Wiedemann boys, Rhett and Jacko, with the enigmatic Blaine Cotes, Jack Davis or veteran Tom Cameron riding shot gun as required. With Sam McGannon undertaking some of the back-up ruck duties last week it meant both Wiedemann’s were at ground level on occasion which will provide every side with a decent headache across the back end of the season.

Rhett Kelly and his MDU lads lack very little in the midfield with a brigade of smaller mid’s than their opponents but one which can cause their own level of carnage if they get things on their terms. Jamie Youle will have his name circled on most opposition coach’s boards such has been his dominance since coming into the competition from Phillip Island this season. Names perhaps more familiar to Mid Gippy fans like Shay Walsh, Brendan Tomada and Fraser Kelly will join him in and around the stoppages providing the Demons with their share of talent in the middle too.

A cracking game which has all the elements to go right down to the wire with the home side getting the nod in another close one for them.

Newborough v Thorpdale

Thorpdale have been going about their business without a great deal of fuss and fanfare but after six rounds find themselves in fourth spot with a four - one win loss record. And that loss just happened to come at the hands of Foster who have made a habit of beating everyone they come across this year. Adding Anthony “Tank” Rossato to their side as they did last week only makes them a bigger threat and presents a huge challenge for Pat Frendo and his Newborough boys heading into this week’s clash.

Indeed, after last week’s win over Boolarra Frendo commented when asked about this week’s match up that he and his players “were looking forward to a big challenge against Thorpdale”.

In fact, I get the feeling this is exactly the kind of game Frendo and the Dogs will have had circled at the start of the season knowing they’d need to take a scalp if they are to find their way into the top six at seasons end. With Jack Robinson amongst the goals in recent weeks and Nathan Whieldon back to near on his best the Dogs will absolutely give themselves a punchers chance of triggering the upset. 

I think though the ‘Dales have a little too much fire power up front and with Gavan Low likely to give them first use of the footy they will kick a score that the Dogs won’t be able to match.

And if you can’t get along to the game you can tune into all the action of Gippsland FMs 104.7.

Hill End v Mirboo North

These two sides have the misfortune of having their most recent outings against Foster. Mirboo North, who had the bye last week, managed just the three goals against the Tigers in Round Five and went down by 107 points. Hill End faced the wrath of Foster last week, managing four goals but going down to the tune of 143 points. Fair to say both teams will go into this week’s game much happier knowing they don’t have to line up against the league leaders!

The game itself promises to be a ripper. It will also likely rule the loser out of finals calculations with both on twelve points and part of the group chasing the sixth and last finals berth, currently owned by Tarwin. With so much to play for you just know the contest will go right down to the wire.

Stopping the irrepressible Hudson Kerr will be at the top of the list of jobs for Tony Hallinan and the Hill End lads. Kerr has been not only dominant in the middle of the ground but also lighting up the scoreboard in what has been a stellar season to date for him. One suspects Bailey Sword, the Hill End stopper, and Kerr may well know each other quite well by the end of the game.

Hill End also have their share of midfield talent with Calway, Paul, Summersgill and Uliando all benefitting from the ruck work of Tom Johnstone over the first six weeks of the season. Johnstone will have a couple of opponents this week and I’d be keen to see how young, and rather green, Mirboo North back up ruckman Jesse Rawlings goes against him. Rawling more than held his own against Fosters Mitch Allot at times in Mirboo’s last hit out so should have plenty of confidence heading into this clash.

Even though they lost to Foster by more I think Hill End get the job done here with their midfield depth being the determining factor.

Morwell East v Foster

Had to build a case for anything other than a rather large Foster win here. They are averaging around twenty goals a game the ladder leaders and if we exclude Round One which was played in wet and wild conditions their average score per game sits at a tick over 150. Ominous reading for the East lads who by contrast are averaging around one third of that.

As we know though footy isn’t played on paper and Foster still have to get on the ground and get it done.

Ben Marks, the East coach, has himself a few key defenders so will back in the likes of Hearn and Field to match up on Eddy and Best which then leaves of course leaves Flavelle for them to worry about.

A lot will depend on the battle between Tactor for East and Allot in the ruck. If Allot dominates his less experienced opponent it will simply provide too much supply for the Foster forwards to not kick a monster score.

Boolarra v Yinnar

A lot has changed since these sides met in an elimination final at the end of season 2025. The final margin may have been a tick over five goals but those who were in attendance that day will know Boolarra had a couple of decent swings at bringing down their nearest neighbour before falling short.

But to this year we go and Yinnar find themselves in familiar territory looking for a top two finals spot while Boolarra all bar buried their hopes of a finals return with a disappointing loss to Newborough last week.

Yinnar look to have too much of a class edge and the sort of depth that sees their Reserves second on the ladder with a percentage of over 300. Throw in the fact Boolarra will be without up to 8 players from last week’s senior side with a further eleven unavailable for selection in the Reserves and it all adds up to a rather large Magpie win.

(Things are so grim at Boolarra even the leagues publicity officer will be pulling the boots on this week)

Toora v Tarwin

Toora played the spoilers role to several sides late last year on the run to the finals and have the chance to do so again this week when they host sixth placed Tarwin. Based on the ladder you’d be mad to suggest anything other than a Sharks win but as we all know you take nothing for granted when you mess with the Magpies in their nest. A real banana peel game for Tarwin here but they get the win, unless……..

Stony Creek have the bye.