Round four

Round four was always going to deliver some home truths to clubs that had spent some time in struggle town as they attempted to find the sort of form that they had trained so hard for in the pre season.

The usual suspects had been up and about since round one, but there remained plenty of room for others that also wanted to remain in touch with the top group.

Fish Creek v Stony Creek

The Kangaroos had been the standout club for the past two seasons and as back to back premiers, they entered this round four clash as warm favourites against Stony Creek.

Fish Creek at home is regarded as about as tough as it gets and the Lions found that out first hand on the weekend, going down by seventy eight points 4-5-29 to 16-11-107.

Jarrad Walker, Fish Creek “Really good win in the end. Stony Creek played a solid game and made us defend for long periods of time which was difficult. We were able to capitalise on our opportunities and had contributors all over the ground. Still a bit to work on but positive signs”

The fact that Fish Creek are playing as well as they are and still feel like there is a bit of work to do, probably sends an ominous warning to the rest of the league.

Troy Shepardson, Stony Creek coach “We Played against a very well drilled, disciplined fish creek side, who moved the ball extremely well and defended exits well, will be a hard side to beat throughout the competition.”

The Lions have improved, there is no doubt about that, but have now seen first hand what is required to be at the very top of the MGFNL ladder.

The competition is very good, getting better and there is no room for passengers in any team, at any time against any opposition.

Foster v Hill End

Foster have been fast becoming recognised as one of the early season premiership contenders, as their form against good sides, indicated some sharp improvement on seasons gone by, with some classy midfield, stoic defence and fine finishing, all syncing in team performances that left opposition sides equally impressed.  

The weekend was no exception, the home side comfortably accounting for the Rovers 22-16-148 to 4-8-32.

Sam Davies, Foster coach “Our playing group are really buying and are connecting well in their roles - we just need to make sure we keep our team first values and keep rewarding the runners to ensure we have positive reinforcement. Hill End to their credit cracked in and really challenged us for periods of the game”

The Tigers are raising eyebrows all across the competition, and although there is a long way to go, the signs are glowing brightly that Foster are amongst the better few in the competition.

Adrian Burns, Hill End coach “They are a good side, really good, I almost think they could be competitive in the Gippsland Latrobe, 

Our boys did their best, attacked the ball, I can't question their effort at all, we're just not quite good enough at the moment."

For Foster, greater challenges await, whilst for Hill En, every week remains a challenge, but Coach Burns is an experienced and resilient campaigner, and with patience remains committed to going the journey, win, lose or draw. 

MDU v Boolarra

The "Clash of the Demons" was a match that made the mouth water, as Boolarra, unbeaten in the first three rounds for the first time since 2008 , came to the home ground of an in-form MDU.

with a sharp focus on keeping that winning momentum intact.

What actually occurred however was somewhat of a reality check for the visitors as they went down 8-3-51 to 18-13-121.

Brendan Mason, Boolarra coach “After competing with MDU for the first quarter it was all the home side after the first change. They move the ball to an elite level and really opened us up through the middle of the ground. 

Their front half is littered with goal kickers and exposed our inexperienced back 6 with 4 regulars unable to take the field in today’s match.

Bailey Flanigan was again in everything for us with Tristian Salerno thriving with his forced move into defence. This was undoubtedly his best game since returning to the club this year.

After a confidence boosting 3-0 start to the year it is a good reality check to have taken on MDU on their home deck”

Boolarra, no doubt, will reset and reevaluate just where they are, because as good as they have been, even further improvement will need to be found, that might well be in the players missing from the weekend, game style or positional changes,

MDU on the other hand have found their mojo and are quite happy where they are at this early stage of the year

Rhett Kelly, MDU coach “Great win yesterday against a team who has started the year off so well. We were a bit slow to start with a few skill errors in the first quarter, not allowing us to get our game going. We were able to correct that in the second and hit the scoreboard. Another great 21-player contribution with everyone playing their role. Was great to get around all the past players after the win and hear some great stories."

The weekend was yet another opportunity to add to the many stories told over the weekend, and the fact that players of today were able to share with those of days gone past are the sort of memories for which we play this great game.  

Newborough v Thorpdale

With each club coming off a loss, the pressure was already starting to build on both of these two teams, even at this early stage of the season.

Thorpdale acutely aware of the enormity of the task, having to confront a Bulldog's side on the rebound at the dreaded "Kennel", and with that in mind, the Blues came ready to play, bouncing out of the blocks and keeping the homeside at arms length for the entire day, winning by twenty six points. 14-11-95 to 10-9-69.

Daniel Taylor, Thorpdale coach “Good to be back on the winners list after a few disappointing weeks. We got off to a great start and had the game on our terms which was pleasing but I felt we didn't fully capitalise on the scoreboard. The 2nd quarter was a real arm wrestle and then to Newboroughs credit they got right on top in the 3rd mainly through their ball movement and hit the front at the last change. We challenged the boys at 3/4 time and to their credit they responded in what was a pretty dominate quarter of footy kicking 4.5 to 0.0. That was the most pleasing thing for me, the game was there to be won and we stood up when it mattered most, great team effort right across the board

We've got the bye next week which has come at a good time and then a home game against Hill end."

Thorpdale’s form has been hard to follow early in the year, but the weekend proved the Blues have something special that is bubbling just below the surface, and the appropriate challenges at the right can see them do what is required.

The Bulldogs don’t often give one up at home, but behind the scenes the loss was not as important as a “new man” arriving.

Pat Frendo, Newborough coach “I wasn’t at the game today due to the birth of my son., but this is the review from captain wade anderson.

Thorpdale came out red hot, capitalizing on our costly skill errors early and showing bravery by repeatedly using the corridor to transition and score. We managed to wrestle momentum back in the third quarter, with several dangerous forwards converting their opportunities. However, with no rotations in the second half, we were unable to maintain that momentum, and Thorpdale ultimately proved too strong in the end.”

Newborough will bounce back, as the Blues march forward, firstly with a week off to regroup and rejuvenate, and then to rattle the cage of another opposition.

Tarwin v Morwell East

The form of these two sides had been really hard to gauge in the weeks leading into Round four.

Tarwin coming off multiple losses and Morwell East struggling to find anywhere near the sort form they had shown in 2024.

The question was who would take their opportunity?

The answer was the Sharks, and easy!

Tarwin 12-10-82 to the Hawks 7-6-48.

Lachie Jones, Tarwin coach “We had a great response from all of our players today and even contributions across the board.

We took our chances with our ball movement and it showed on the scoreboard. Morwell East had some quality players and we stuck to our structures and didn’t allow them to roam free.”

It has no doubt been a frustrating start to the year for Hawks coach Paul Henry and his team, as they struggle to find the form they displayed just months ago.

The personnel is there but getting it to gel is proving to be a bigger challenge than anticipated.

Paul Henry, Morwell East coach “Another tough it has no doubt been a frustrating start to 2025 for day at the office for us. Again we were in it until half time. We didn't have a bench after half time but the boys busted their arse but just couldn't hang in there.”

The Hawks have time to regroup of course, but the doors will quickly close as they will soon face some of the in-form teams in the competition.

The league wants a strong Morwell East, the local community wants a strong Morwell East, but right now there remains a question mark as to whether the Hawks players want it as patiently, as well.

Yinnar v Mirboo North

Possibly Yinnar's biggest opponent might have been seen as complacency, the Magpies form leading into their clash was far superior to that of the Tigers, 

and although Mirboo North had been buoyed by success against Tarwin, this was without question a completely different proposition.

The Magpies did the job, but only after some spirited opposition from the Tigers.

Yinnar 15-10-100 to 10-10-70.

Sam McCulloch, Yinnar coach “As we thought, Mirboo Nth certainly came to play and made us work hard to get the win. 

The game ebbed and flowed with momentum swings throughout the day, until we managed to finish the game full of run and come away with a hard fought win against a team on the rise.

The Tigers, to their credit, found a few levels above what we had witnessed in the first few rounds of the year, and even in losing gave enough to suggest that indeed they are heading in the right direction.

Damian Turner, Mirboo North coach “Great game of footy. Two young midfields going at it was a pleasure to watch. Exciting for both clubs' futures.

We were in the contest until three quarter time. An undisciplined act left us with seventeen men for the start of the 4th which to Yinnars credit capitalised on early and put a huge amount of pressure on. We still managed eight scoring shots in the last, but couldn’t convert.

We now know this young group can match it with the best, so proud coach in that department! “

Some fine tuning might be required and some "enthusiasm" might also need to be harnessed so as to benefit the team rather than potentially cost it, but Coach Turner witnessed what most others at the ground did, and that's that the Tigers might just have the personnel to start their climb back up the MGFNL ladder.  

Bye: Toora