Round 9

As we hit the halfway mark of the MGFNL home and away season, the year remained very much alive for at least eleven of the League's thirteen clubs with the eleventh placed Toora just two games from fourth placed MDU.

In short, the second half of 2025 looks set for a thrilling finish in the run to the finals.

Fish Creek v Newborough

With two premierships in the past two seasons, top of the table Fish Creek remain well placed for their "threepeat" attempt.

Hosting Newborough, was never going to be a walk in the park, with the Bulldogs desperate to continue their assault on a top six position, but the Kangaroos proved to be a bridge too far, the home side winning 13-16-94 to 6-6-42.

It wasn’t all the Kangaroos' way however, with the Bulldogs jumping out of the blocks early to lead by four points at the first break.

Jarrod Walker, Fish Creek coach “An interesting day for us today. Looked threatening in the first quarter but then to Newborough’s credit they were able to get some momentum back and control the footy for a good portion of the first half. We swung the magnets around a bit at half time to try to get some more guys into the game which had a bit of an effect on the third quarter. It was then pleasing in the last quarter for the guys to stick to the task and finish the game off strongly.

Although Fish Creek assumed control in the second half the reigning premiers found it tough to shake the Bulldogs, who despite continuing to fight an injury curse, fought well through the third term before stopping to a walk as Fish Creek took control.

Pat Frendo, Newborough coach “A hard fought loss against a class opponent in Fish Creek today. We managed to stay within three goals for the first three quarters before ultimately running out of legs in the last. Extremely proud of how the boys went about it and for the most part stayed neck and neck with the benchmark of the competition. More injuries to our list saw another two senior debutantes on the weekend, taking the season total to eleven first time senior players which is just awesome for the clubs development. After a couple tough losses we look ahead to a month of winnable football with a refreshed attitude."

It will take a special month for the Bulldogs to get themselves back in the heat of the race, but no one yet doubts that they are capable, what most are questioning is who will be the team to take it up to Fish Creek?

Foster v Toora

A one point loss prior to the mid season bye, had Foster hungry and ready to bounce back immediately albeit somewhat apprehensive as they prepared to take on a Toora side, who had themselves provided the shock of the season by upsetting MDU in round eight.

The question was could the Magpies do it against an even better credentialled side in the Tigers.  

The answer was also a statement in the form of a big win by a Tigers outfit who showed little mercy to a Toora side that were a few soldiers down on their best side.

Foster 22-16-148 comfortable winners over Toora 8-6-54.

Sam Davies, Foster coach “We were back to our best on the weekend for a large amount of the game - a really strong four quarter effort against a Toora team that definitely fought really hard. We had a lot of winners all over the ground and capitalised on front half turnover throughout the day. 

The Tigers did what good sides do, bounce back from a disappointing loss with a reassuring win. The Magpies on the other hand fought valiantly on field as they battled to get fit players on the park, also continues.

JayvAcardi, Toora coach “We came up against a well drilled team at Foster who were far too good for us on the day. We were out worked outplayed and out coached. We now go back to work and find a way to get ourselves up for each and every match no matter the opposition.”

Toora have been hit hard by injuries, but continue to throw what they have at the opposition, they came up short this week, but as some of their first choice players return, they are sure to cause another upset.

MDU v Stony Creek

MDU had come crashing back to earth in the fortnight prior to this round nine clash, losses to Fish Creek followed by their shock defeat at the hands of Toora, had the Demons on the ropes and needing desperately to respond, and respond they did, taking the game by the throat early and securing the victory early, very early.

MDU 15-17-107 to Stony Creek 10-2-62.

Rhett Kelly, MDU coach “It was great to see the team respond so strongly yesterday after a couple of tough losses. The energy and effort were there right from the start on what turned out to be a beautiful winter day for football. Stony Creek really challenged us at a few stages of the game and looked like they might gain the upper hand, but to our boys' credit, they worked hard to win back the momentum each time."

The win gives the Demons a much needed boost of confidence after a tough fortnight that threatened to take their season off the rails, but it's amazing how a week can change the fortunes of a club and the mindset of its players and supporters.

Troy Shepardson, Stony Creek coach “We played a very well drilled Meenyian, who showed why they are near the top of the ladder. 

Next week we have another huge challenge in Foster, hopefully we can put in a strong performance on our home deck."

The Lions continue to bubble away, and it seems as though they will at some time boil, but at this stage it hasn't really happened, and as each week passes. time will soon also become an opponent.   

Morwell East v Mirboo North

As important as winning was for an out of sorts Morwell East, even showing some of the fight the Hawks had been renowned for might have been enough to satisfy the faithful as they prepared to take on a Tigers outfit who were inside the six and keen to stay there.

The result was an upset for many but pleasing for the home side who finally found some of the form they had been searching for.

Morwell East 11-4-70 to 6-7-43.

Paul Henry, Morwell East coach “Great to be back on the winners list. We will enjoy the win and the celebrations to follow.

Bye next week for us."

You get the feeling that the Hawks needed that victory more than anyone will actually know, especially given they have the bye in round ten and would have had to spend a fortnight brewing on a season wasted. However, even with that one win, the future looks a little brighter.

The news was not so good for Mirboo North, The Tigers would have thought they could bank the points in this one, but after leading at the first break the visitors couldn't string any serious passages of play together.

Damian Turner, Mirboo North coach “Disappointed- we couldn't get our game going and kept allowing East to play their physical strengths. We will be better for the hit out, post the double bye, but have to go away and work on some things." 

There is no questioning the progress Mirboo North have made this season, but the weekend loss is a reality check as they now prepare for the back half of the home and away season.

Tarwin v Hill End

It was Tarwin's turn to take on a valiant but to date unsuccessful Hill End side on the weekend.

The Sharks could ill afford to cough up this game given the tightness of the competition but welcomed the Hillsmen knowing full well that it would be far from a walk in the park. The Rovers did what they do, they fight hard, they are genuine, but they just cannot find the finish line first 

Tarwin 19-13-127 to Hill End 7-10-52.

Lachie Jones, Tarwin coach “A solid effort and three wins consecutively now for us down at Tarwin. We started the game well and were able to win that vital arm wrestle in the midfield. We were able to have all of our players contribute and play their role which is pleasing."

The Sharks won the match they were expected to win, but what they also did was kill the Hillsmen's hopes early, a four goal lead at quarter time quickly turned into eight goals at the main break, and  the game was pretty much over.

Adrian Burns, Hill End coach "We showed patches in the first quarter and even outscored them in the last quarter, but the damage was done, we had a handful of players out, so we are getting a look at some new faces, we all just need to remain patient."

Tarwin now march forward with finals hopes very much alive in their eyes, as the Rovers hang tough hoping that the improvements needed soon start to be rewarded with a victory, their first of the year.

Yinnar v Thorpdale

Yinnar anticipated a ferocious Thorpdale side to arrive at their home ground and were prepared for such.

The Blues have always been a side that can mix it with the best, and one of the best is what they were up against on the weekend.

The Magpies did the job, it wasn’t easy, but it was never going to be.

Yinnar 18-8-116 defeating Thorpdale 14-11-95.

Sam McCulloch, Yinnar Coach "Very pleased to come away with a win. It was a game in which there were plenty of momentum shifts throughout the day. We were able to establish a good buffer in the second half and hang on to a good win. It was a mature performance from the group and I was proud of the way we steadied when challenged late in the game."

It is actually an important ingredient outside of the skills and strategies of the game, showing maturity at the right time, the right moments to make the decisions necessary in those clutch moments.

Thorpdale certainly learnt that on the weekend.

Daniel Taylor, Thorpdale coach “I can't question our effort in what was a pretty good game of footy. Some undisciplined acts throughout the first half and some costly skill errors after halftime and we found ourselves six goals down midway through the third, we showed a bit of ticker to get the game back to single digits before Yinnar kicked a few late. Disappointed to lose but I'm really proud of our effort right across the board. Saturday's game should give the boys confidence that if we can bring that effort every week and we can get somewhere near full strength we'll be right in the mix."

So now the Blue boys go from last year's runners up to this week meeting the two time reigning premiers in Fish Creek, yet another massive challenge.

BYE: Boolarra