Round 12

The Mid Gippsland Football Netball League was this week recognised as one of the most even and competitive football competitions in regional Victoria, but in round twelve the results of some big matches would also clear a pathway for many clubs to take a step towards bigger and better things, some to a bumpy road and some would need to accept the dead end that lays ahead.

Tarwin v Yinnar

It was third placed Yinnar travelling to the home of fifth placed Tarwin, both clubs fully aware that there was an enormous amount riding on the result.

The loser, to start to feel the pressure of a trailing pack, the winner to breathe a sigh of relief, albeit just for a week.

The air fresh for Yinnar, the pressure on Tarwin as the Magpies had the most comfortable of victories 21-6-132 to 2-10-22.

Sam McCulloch, Yinnar coach “Tarwin on their home ground is always hard to beat and we prepared for a tough encounter. The game was hot early and we managed to get our brand of footy going in the second quarter and went into halftime with a handy buffer. We continued on in the second half and ran the game out well. 

One of the most pleasing aspects was the even contribution from right across the field for all four quarters. “

The Magpies victory, one of their best for 2025, was a reassuring one for coaches and supporters alike, and not only did they put their best out here for everyone to see, it also put a substantial dent in the confidence of the Sharks.

Lachie Jones, Tarwin coach “We were really outclassed all over the ground on the weekend. We prepared well but didn’t execute in so many key areas. Yinnar reminded us that they can score quickly and heavily. We won’t dwell on this too much and will look to respond positively next week against Fish Creek.”

While Yinnar just cruise below the two top teams of the MGFNL in Foster and Fish Creek, the Sharks remain under no illusions now, as to what is required to close the gap between the haves and have nots.

Tarwin are around about the mark, but not quite there yet.

Boolarra v Fish Creek

As tough as Boolarra found last year's Grand Finalists in Yinnar just a week ago, there was an expectation that the challenge was going to be that much tougher in round twelve when the Demons welcomed the two time reigning premiers Fish Creek to their home ground.

Boolarra needing a win, just to keep in touch with the six clubs above them, now face a fight of enormous proportions after their twenty five point defeat.

Fish Creek 11-13-79 to the Demons 8-6-54.

The final siren finishing what was a testing day for the home side, even before the first bounce.

Brendan Mason, Boolarra coach “The revolving door at selection was at an All Time Low this week with the final side not confirmed until after 2 pm on game day. Match day late withdrawal was compounded by two reserves players being injured in their game and unable to fill their role in the senior side as a result Third choice backup player join the senior list with their name going on the team sheet after 2 pm

The first half was an arm wrestle between two powerful midfields the fish Creek advantage being that they able to rotate heavily during this time which paid great benefits for them as the game wore on.

We didn’t want to be content with yet another decent effort against a good side. We threw caution to the wind in an attempt to win the game in the last quarter.”

That attempt might not have worked, but it showed that Boolarra are courageous enough to try.The Kangaroos, respectful of their opponents' efforts.

Jarrad Walker, Fish Creek coach “A hard fought win for us. Boolarra definitely came to play, they were really hard at the contest and spread really well which made defending hard. Credit to our mids who cracked in all day and eventually in the second half started to get on top a little bit. An arm wrestle all day so I was happy to come away with a win.”

The Kangaroos, without question are the real deal, two premierships in the past two seasons are testimony to that, but the fact is they will welcome back even more quality personnel in the weeks ahead as they soon start to hone in on a rare three-peat opportunity.

Hill End v Toora

After manfully fighting through the first ten rounds of the season it was a demoralising loss to Fish Creek in round eleven that had most wondering whether that defeat might be enough to topple the Hillsmen over and accept that a victory might avoid them for the entire 2025 season.

At the same time the visiting Magpies still gave themselves an outside chance of a late finals surge, but to do so they could not afford to drop this one.

Toora's  fifty point victory, enough to keep the Magpies well and truly motivated in the back half of the year.

Toora 21-18-144 to Hill End 14-10-84.

Jay Acardi, Toora coach “We were greeted with perfect conditions at Willow Grove yesterday when we took on Hill End. Another tough encounter against a young side who didn’t take a backward step.They are a far better side than their ladder position suggests.

We managed to break away at times throughout the contest but they always seemed to find a way to get back into the match. A great contest all day.”

It’s a bit like Groundhog Day for the Rovers, where it appears that every Saturday seems to be similar to that of the week before but like Bill Murray in the movie, improvements are being made so that they can eventually get the result they are after.

Adrian Burns, Hill End " we played some really good football at times and it was great to see the young fellas kick a score, if this club can keep and move forward with the youngsters, i see some better days ahead"

There will be a bit happening at the home of Hill End this coming week with former AFL player Will Schofield joining the Rovers as part of the Carlton Draught series.

His experience and presence another learning block for the young Rovers.

Mirboo North v Newborough

Mirboo North, Ninth and Newborough eighth, both just one game behind sixth placed Thorpdale prior to round twelve, approached the clash as if it might have been a final, and in some ways it was, with the loser destined to face 

a tough trek to the end of the home and away season, not only hoping they might steal some wins but also that some above them would also lose.

Pressure builds diamonds and The Tigers not only applied some real pressure on the Bulldogs, their comprehensive victory has them in the finals conversation once more.

Mirboo North 15-17-107 to Newborough 3-6-24.

Damian Turner, Mirboo North coach “Such a fantastic day all round. A clean sweep in the footy (3rds, 2s & 1s) for the first time for the season, and to put four solid qtrs together and celebrate Josh Taylor’s 250th was so pleasing. We showed some real improvement around the ball, and now hope to build some real momentum.

The Tigers have endured some highs and lows throughout the 2025 season as they manage the inconsistencies of youth and an unsettled squad, but the weekend confirmed that the patience that has been given might pay off.

Pat Frendo, Newborough coach “Extremely disappointing performance by us at Mirboo north yesterday. Flat footed from the first bounce, Mirboo hit it harder and wanted it more. Really bright future for those boys with some outstanding young players starting to emerge.”

Some losses hurt more than others and this one was a devastating one for the Bulldogs, their finals hopes not over but dark clouds are starting to gather over the kennel.

Morwell East v Foster

With the chances of finals both realistically and mathematically gone for the home ground Hawks, the weekend was always going to be a tough task both mentally and physically for Morwell East.

Taking on the top of the table Foster, it would be pride in performance that would need to be called on, maybe not to win, but rather, not to be embarrassed by a humiliating loss. 

The result, another blow for the Hawks.

The Tigers 23-8-156 to Morwell East’s 6-4-40 one of Foster's better wins of the year.

Sam Davies, Foster coach “Potentially our most complete four quarter game so far this year which was really pleasing - our focus was on contest and competing in all areas of the ground and we had 21 winners across the lines.”

It’s the performance, a coach dreams of, when every player contributes to team, Foster seemingly improving as each week passes.

Paul Henry, Morwell East coach “We have had some big defeats this year. The weekends defeat at the hands of Foster was something else. They are the best team we've played this year. The third quarter was our only quarter we matched them but we were still outscored. Unbelievable goal kicking from them!”

The Hawks might have been on the end of a comprehensive defeat, but they won’t be the only team that will struggle with the might of Foster.

The best that Morwell East can do now, is look ahead to their next opponent in Newborough.

Stony Creek v Thorpdale

Stony Creek, two wins from the leagues sixth placed side and their weekend opponent Thorpdale, were well aware that it was a do or die clash for them.

A win would provide a glimmer of hope that finals was still a possibility, a loss however would have them floundering and hoping for a miracle as they faced  the remaining six rounds of the home and away season.

The result, another one kick loss, a devastating blow for the lions.

Thorpdale 12-13-85 to Stony Creeks 11-14-80 

Troy Shepardson, Stony Creeks coach “After quarter time our boys showed they have the ability to go with top teams, controlling the game from then on just to fall 5pts short at the final siren.”

The visiting Blues didn’t have everything go their way, in fact it was their opponents Stony Creek who actually helped their cause.

Daniel Taylor, Thorpdale coach “It was a week when player availability was at an all time low with only thirty three players available on the day. Big shout out to Stony for helping us out with numbers so we could get a reserves side on the park. The aim was to get a win in the seniors and not forfeit the 2s so pretty happy we ticked that box for the day. In the seniors a dominant first quarter set up the win. Credit to Stony who slowly but surely worked their way into the game and were probably stiff in the end not to pinch it late.”

The football gods can be cruel sometimes and the Lions know that well, their helping hand to the Blues not returned with a positive result, but rather another one kick loss that has changed the trajectory of their season from a possible contender to a frustrating what could have been season.

BYE: MDU