Boolarra v MDU
Boolarra's year might be done, but what the Demons do, from here to season's end could have a major impact on just how the MGFNL's top six takes shape.
MDU have stood up to be regarded as the better Demon's side, but what they hope to be is so much more than that.
Coach Nathan Allen has his team purring, but is also keeping a lid on what might be if all the cards fall as they might, “ “Next week we have the tough task of Boolara away, they have been matching it with some of the top teams of late, so we will need to come to play.”
Boolarra have four weeks to offer outgoing coach Tony Giardina some gratitude for his services to the club, and not one week will be an easy one, as last week showed.
Tony Giardina, Boolarra coach "the first ten minutes of the last week's game we were competitive and then Thorpys running game took over and we were never in the hunt. They have a very good side and should do well for the rest of the year and finals."
As likely as MDU is to win this weekend, you would be wise as the visiting side to pay respect to what Boolara are capable of, if they can put it all together.
Fish Creek v Stony Creek
A week's break for both of the Creeks teams, means there will be no excuses for not turning up ready to rock and roll this weekend.
Fish Creek have their sights set on an inevitable finals appearance, while for Stony Creek it is all about building a foundation from which to launch a more successful 2024 season.
The Kangaroos have been good, but have the potential to be even better, the Lions a hurdle they should leap over, but in such a tight season, nothing can be taken for granted.
Jarrod Walker, Fish Creek coach “With the week off coming up it’s a great time to rest the bodies and hit the remaining games with some good momentum. Preview for next week. At home against Stony Creek, always a tough opponent that line up very well against us. It’s the time of the year to start putting some polish on how we want to play, so I'm looking forward to a strong performance.”
The Lion's went close a fortnight ago, when they fell short by just a solitary point to the reigning premiers, Yinnar, so it would be expected that the same sort of effort would have them well placed to, at the very least, also give Foster a bit of a scare.
Chris Verboon, Stony Creek coach “ it shows that our best footy can compete with the top sides. We just can’t get over the line in the close games. The bye last week will give us a much needed break with a few injuries coming out of the game.
Stony Creek might not be a part of the action come finals time, but they could certainly shake the make up of the top six with a win against the odds this coming weekend.
Foster v Tarwin
Foster can achieve two things from the one match this weekend against Tarwin, firstly the Tigers could secure a final's berth for themselves and secondly, and probably just as satisfying would be to nearly kill off the chances of the Sharks achieving the same thing.
It would almost be an injustice if the Tarwin team was not to be a part of finals action, but the reality is that if you're off your game by just the smallest of percentages you will be cut down and thrown aside with very little empathy.
Sam Davies, Foster “ We didn’t look like the Foster side that we know and love. Players and coaches needed a rest and reset so we looked forward to last weekend's bye, we definitely limped into it.”
The Tigers can ill afford to limp into this weekend however, their opponents desperately need to bounce back from a number of disappointing losses and nothing short of a win is acceptable for the Sharks.
Troy Hemming, Tarwin coach “It just makes it tougher for us this week against Foster at Foster! I can’t fault our spirit and that’s what we will take to Foster to keep our season alive!”
The reality is that you possibly make a case for any one of the ten sides to be a part of this years finals, but the reality is that each round offers an opportunity for clubs to control their own destiny, and this weekends clash is certainly one of those.
Toora v Hill End
As much as this clash between the two bottom sides of the MGFNL competition, it may as well be a grand final.
Hill End, despite their very best efforts, have not managed to find a way to four premiership points throughout season 2023.
However, there is no question whatsoever that Rover's coach Mike Santo will have had this match pencilled in as the one that could provide their very first victory of the year.
Mike Santo, Hill End coach "Toora next week which will decide the spoon more than likely so hopefully we come ready to play”
A win for the visiting Rovers team, will have them off the bottom of the ladder by percentage and that might be enough to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon, but don't for one minute think that the Magpies are also aware of the importance of a positive result.
Jack Weston, Toora coach “ Hill End next week provides our best opportunity for a win since round two. Our form lines are very similar and I anticipate a tight game. With a bit of luck hopefully the boys are rewarded for their improvement over the course of the year.”
Both clubs deserve a reward for effort, given their ability to turn up week after week, but I don't think either team would be satisfied with a draw, it's a win or nothing.
Yinnar v Thorpdale
Yinnar have always proven that they are capable of not only handling pressure, but also more than likely to respond to it.
That said, this weekend's clash with the quickly improving Thorpdale might well have consequences they would not want to consider if they are to be on the wrong side of the result.
The Magpies have been, can be, and will need to be as good as they have been to hold off Jason Winderlich army of Blue's soldiers.
Daniel Taylor, Yinnar coach "Thorpy this week is another big game, the ladder is really starting to tighten up so it's a must win for both sides.”
Yinnar are currently running around with just seven players of last years premiership side, and that can account in some ways for their inconsistent performances, but they shouldn't expect any understanding from Thorpdale, the Blues have shown little mercy to opposition clubs when in control and you wouldn't expect this weekend to be any different.
Jason Winderlich, Thorpdale coach “ Yinnar on their home deck is always a tough trip. They have only lost one game there and that was to Newborough in round one. Yinnar has always responded well after a loss so Tac will have the boys fired up this week. We will need to be at our best to take the four points”
Although Yinnar are somewhat short of their best, you would expect that they somehow find more than what they did just seven days ago, because if they don't Thorpdale will show no mercy as they continue their quest for a position within the league's top three.
BYE: Mirboo North, Morwell East, Newborough.
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