MGFNL Season 2026 - Round 9 Review

Opportunities present themselves in many, varied ways across the course of a footy season. Sometimes you may not even know they are there and you miss them and other times you know exactly when they pop up and you grab them with both hands.

This is true of both teams and individuals. One single opportunity can swing a quarter of footy, a game of footy or even define a season.

And so it was on Saturday the 13^th of June 2026 an opportunity presented itself. This opportunity was taken and absolutely had an impact on the outcome of the match. Time will tell if it was in fact season defining but there is plenty of evidence to suggest it might well have been.

Let me set the scene.

Yinnar v Foster

After a fast start that saw them kick the first couple of goals Foster trailed Yinnar for most of the day. Their goose looked cooked at the last change with Yinnar leading by as good as three goals and their young legs looking to be covering the ground far better than those of the Foster players. The fact this was a low scoring, brutal contest also indicated last quarter, come from behind, heroics were unlikely.

Enter Brett Eddy. He had already kicked six of his sides nine goals for the game as the clock ticked over the twenty-four minute mark in the last term. His side trailed by five points. His set shot was from as good as fifty, it was late in the game and he’d already done enough. But when opportunity knocks some people just have to answer and so it was when Eddy kicked his sixth and put his side in front by a point.

That point of course being the margin when the final siren sounded a moment of two later to give Foster a memorable win: 10-6-66 to Yinnar’s inaccurate 9-11-65.

Foster remain undefeated but not unbeatable, and Yinnar lick their wounds after a second “honourable loss” at home to a top two side this year.

But back to the start we should go when it was Foster skipper Mick Cooke who was dominating early. Eddy may have opened proceedings with a left foot snap on goal but it was Cooke Foster ran their attack through. He took mark after mark and managed to slot the second of the game with before a raft of fifty-meter penalties saw Mick Geary and then skipper Blake Van Der Meer get the scoreboard ticking over for the home side.

Youngster Harvey MacKay was again playing above his years for the Pies with Flynn Schill, too, in everything. Jack Rathjen may have just had the measure of Bobby Linton in the ruck but Linton did plenty around the ground to square the ledger and of course “Captain Cooke” was easily Foster’s best even though Eddy had slotted a pair of majors as the first quarter ended.

The early match ups were interesting with Mark Stolk, Brendan Chapman and Tom Robertson starting on Brett Eddy, Michael Coke and Jake Best respectively according to Gippsland FM’s stats man Sam Crane.

At the other end Craig Wray seemingly had the task on Yinnar’s Kane Grinstead Jones while Dean Linton appeared to shadow Jack Weston whenever Weston wasn’t in the middle of the ground.

Leading by a goal at the first break Foster failed to capitalise on several scoring opportunities early in the second with both Eddy and Jack Weston necessitating the white out, the pair missing shots they’d normally get in their sleep. So, whilst outplaying their opponents they had not moved the scoreboard and when Tige Renwick’s first of two for the day was followed by Tom Robertson’s long bomb (assist Harvey McKay) the Pies were in front.

A position they’d maintain for the rest of the day, excluding the agonising last sixty seconds or so of play.

Further goals came either way as the game looked to open up somewhat. Firstly to Yinnar’s Lachlan Pratt, then Eddy (again) before Flyn Schill kicked a ripper on the run that saw the score board show a point lead to the home side at the long break.

The third term saw a frantic start with Yinnar going back to back through Notman (McKay, again the assist) and Grinstead-Jones and the locals were in full voice. Their enthusiasm was somewhat tempered when, who else but, Eddy stepped and goaled after yet another strong one on one mark.

This was just before Tom Robertson showed real courage to set up Yinnar’s next.

Helping Linton out in the ruck Robo found himself in an in between position as the ball was kicked in to the Foster forward fifty. He took off with the flight of the ball and launched late to take a cracking chest mark as the leading pack loomed large.

Somehow, he maintained his composure and set the ball in motion to Sam Walsh via a slick handball. Walsh, good all day, used the ball well, as he does, and found Tom’s brother Will in the forward fifty. Will Robo then went bang and the locals were again in full voice.  

But as he had done time and time again Eddy popped up. Jack Weston, who was terrorised by Dean Linton all day, found Cooke by foot who in turn speared a pass to the danger man. And when he goaled the twenty point margin was back to fourteen at the final change and there was just the slightest whiff of a chance for the visitors in the air as the supporters flooded the ground to represent at their respective huddles.

The last quarter saw Yinnar bomb a couple of chances. In a sign of the efficiency of Foster Yinnar led the inside fifty count  twenty-one to twelve in the final term yet went goalless while the league leaders kicked three ripping goals to pinch the win.

Firstly it was Rathjen. He had two bounces through the middle of the Yinnar Rec Reserve. Realising he was dealing with both a closing pack of chasers and a goal square devoid of humanity he bounced through the Tigers first from long range.

Then James Morris, yes the bloke who plays in defence, stepped up. He marked and goaled to get his side back within a straight kick. Cleverly he put the ball over the net too so he could soak up the moment as he strutted back to defence. The only thing missing from him going full Ric Flair were several “woo’s” and a feather boa or three.

So the game was on the line.

Less than a kick in it,

Under two minutes to play.

Opportunity knocked. And as you already know Brett Eddy answered and said “don’t mind if I do.”

Better players for Foster were Eddy, Cooke, Rhodes and Rathjen. Norton played a great half of footy and Weston was classy in many a patch of play. He seems to find time and space where none exists does Jack. Schnieder and Angwin were good too.

Yinnar were well served by Harvey McKay, Flynn Schill and James De Virgilio. Sam Walsh was at his efficient best. Mick Geary was dangerous but it was Harry McColl who really led the way all day for the Pies.

Jake Best, the winning coach was particularly candid after the match saying “We stole that game today, they probably should have won” before adding he was “pleased our group didn’t give up and fought the game out to the very end”.

His opposite number Sam McCulloch said “we are very disappointed not to come away with the four points” before adding “credit to Foster, who stood up in the key moments and made the most of their chances on the scoreboard”.

Of his own sides efforts in front of gaol McCulloch noted “we were unable to capitalise on our opportunities when it mattered most”.

Whilst clearly not content with the loss there were some positives for Yinnar with the coach saying “we will take valuable lessons from the loss and continue to improve in the areas we identify as we move into the second half of the season”.

Boolarra v Tarwin

One side who failed to take their opportunity this week was Tarwin. After an honourable defeat at the hands of Fish Creek last week they came up against Boolarra in what was a banana peel game for them and promptly slipped. Perhaps several times in fact as they went down 9-16-70 to 6-9-45.

Boolarra coach Brendan Mason has maintained all year his side was better than their results indicated and said all his side needed was a second forward and they’d be vastly improved. It seems he was right as the inclusion of Stephen Milne to compliment the forward craft of Matt Devon proved a master stroke as the Demons jumped Tarwin and never looked back.

It may have taken the home side five minutes to open the scoring through defender cum forward Joel Rasmus but once he showed his teammates the way the flood gates opened. In fact, were it not for inaccuracy in front of goal the winning margin would have been much greater. The first quarter alone saw Boolarra register 5-9-39 from their fourteen scoring shots while keeping Tarwin off the scoreboard.

Any hopes of an immediate correction to proceedings after the first break were put to bed with Tarwin registering a paltry 1-1-7 for the half and returning to the sheds a neat forty points in arrears.

A five goal to three second half saw the Sharks reduce the final margin to just twenty-five points but the damage was done. The loss leaves Tarwin on the brink of the six with some tough games on the horizon.

For Boolarra Matt Dyer welcomed himself back to the game with a BOG performance in his first hit out for the year with co-captains Joel Mason and Mason Porykali joining him in the best. Milne managed three and Devon two.

For Tarwin it was Jordan Staley, Jordan Bertacco and Troy Harley who led the way. Harley the only multiple goal kicker with two.

Post game Tarwin coach Lachie Jones referenced the Demon’s fast start as a key factor in the outcome saying “Boolarra came out with a very strong first quarter and caught us off guard. They were smarter and worked harder around the contest so full credit to (Boolarra coach) Brendan (Mason) and his players.” 

When asked about the positives Jones noted he was “pleased with our third quarter. We did respond and worked back into the game but it’s four quarters we are chasing and yesterday wasn’t it”. 

Jones said he felt “Jordan Staley was our best at centre half back” before referencing “a solid debut for one of our 18’s players in Fletcher Leggo who will be better for the run”.

Fish Creek v Stony Creek

In the battle of the Creeks, it was Fish doing a number on Stony with the league’s second placed side rattling up a massive 26-18-174 to Stony Creeks 3-8-26.

Will McTaggart booted seven, Blaine Coats five and Thomas Cameron and Harrison Smith three each in a one way domination that saw Fish Creek score more in each quarter than their opponents did for the game.

Kairon Dorling, Rhett Weidemann and Coates were the three best for the winners with Liam Harrington, Cody Loughridge and Cameron Stone best for Stony. Harrington was joined in the goal kickers list by Colby Michael and Troy Sinclair who each managed a single goal.

Post game winning coach Jarrod Walker summarised the outcome as a “super game from the guys, probably our first four quarter performance for the year”. Asked to expand on any particular reason for the season best performance Walker said “we made a few changes to some game style stuff and it fell into place nicely” before adding “the challenge is to sustain that each week”

Morwell East v Hill End

Hill End avoided a loss that could have consigned their finals ambitions to the bin when they escaped with a four point win over a gallant Morwell East at Vary Street. The East jumped the Rovers and held their lead for most of the match only to cough up the last three goals of the match and go down in heart breaking fashion.

Of the game Hill End coach Tom Hallinan said “Morwell East really came to play and at one stage went out to a five goal lead early in the first quarter”

He continued that Hill End “got ourselves back in the game in the second quarter primarily through first use footy in the midfield and terrific forward half pressure”.

So, at the main change it was the East by nine points with everything to play for in the second half.

Of the third term Hallinan noted “we squandered multiple opportunities for goals” which saw east move out to a two goal lead. Recognising a change was required in the front half Hallinan swung Tom Johnstone forward with immediate effect.

Hallinan also praised his defensive unit in particular Mark Ferguson who “moved onto (Morwell East’s Blair) Clymo who was damaging in the first and nullified his influence”. 

Hill End still trailed at the last change with East extending their lead to a tick under two goals early in the last before Hill End clicked into gear and salvaged their win.

Aaron Fawcett, Bailey Sword, Darcy Paul and Liam Cuminskey (playing ruck) were pivotal in the last term. They provided Hill End with the territory gains they needed to put the pressure on the East defensive group.

It took them until the twenty-two minute mark of the final term to do so but Hill End finally hit the lead courtesy of a clutch goal by Will Robinosn. It was a lead they were able to hold on to and provided a “win built from grit, determination and mindset” according to Hallinan.

For the home side Blair Clymo, Jake Birchall and Frank Marks were the best trio with Clymo slotting four of his sides dozen majors. Bradnon Francis was the only other multiple goal kicker with three.

For Hill End it was Tom Johnstone who was best on with Aaron Fawcett and Bailey Sword riding shotgun. Aston Hermanus booted three while Johstone and Bayley Paul managed a pair apiece.

The win keeps Hill End in the top six, a game clear of Tarwin, Thorpdale and Newborough.

Newborough v Mirboo North

Newborough restricted Mirboo North to just five goals  in running out big winners 14-12-96 to 5-3-33. The win keeps the tri-colours in the top six argument while all bar ending Mirboo Norths shot at the post season.

The Dogs lead all day in a dominant display with Mat Heywood again amongst their best along with Liam Cordner and Macally Bronsan. The goal kicking was shared around with eight contributors on the scoresheet.

For Mirboo North it was slim pickings in terms of goals with Jesse Chilla booting two while Barnes, Conlan and (of course) Hudson Kerr kicking one each. Kerr was again best on for Mirboo North with Kratzat and Peters joining him for top honours.  

Mirboo North coach Damien Turner summed things up pretty simply after the match when he said “tough day”. After a brief pause he offered up “credit to Pat (Frendo) and Newborough, they were cleaner and stronger for longer periods”. 

Turner was keen to point out the efforts the skipper, Hudson Kerr in his 150th, and also “young recruit Darby Kratzat” that Turner feels is  “continuing to build after another great game on the wing”.

Thorpdale v MDU

An accurate Thorpdale proved no match for the visiting MDU going down 10-3-63 to 16-12-108. Having been kept scoreless in the first term Thorpy fired back in the second slamming on five of the finest to turn their quarter time deficit of twenty-three points into a manageable half time margin of just four points.

Whatever magic dust Thorpdale coach Daniel Taylor spread at the first break must have all been gone by half time as from this point on it was all the visitors. They kicked eleven goals to five after the long break and did as they pleased running out comfortable forty-five point victors.

Nick Nagel helped himself to a bag of five with Wayne Stewart and Jaymie Youle grabbing three each. Kieran Bohn joined Yule and Nagle as his side’s best players.

Meanwhile for Thorpy it was the returning Matt “Moose” Powell who led the way on the scoreboard with four. Shaun Falla and the ever-reliable Shannon Pickering contributed two each. Ayden Ramm and Cougar Milsom joined Powell as the best three player for Thorpy in a loss that sees their finals hopes hanging by a thread with them being level on points with two other sides all fighting for that sixth spot on the ladder. 

Toora had the bye this week.