Round two

Most clubs, even after a long pre-season and a round one clash under their belt, are still very much finding their feet in the early part of the year.

However, doing it as quickly as possible is crucial as sides attempt to be part of the leading pack rather than chasing and hoping for results to fall their way in the months ahead. 

Boolarra v Mirboo North

Opening wins to both of these two clubs, relieved none of the pressure going into the second round of the season.

With both finishing outside of the leagues top six in 2024, positioning themselves to get that opportunity this year would be dependent on winning games just like this.

The Demons took their chance 10-8-68 to the Tigers 5-4-34.

Brendan Mason, Boolarra coach “A terrific win in trying conditions that saw both sides calling for the pickle juice at three quarter time. We took a very nervous 13 point lead into the long break and whilst happy with the work done we knew Mirboo North would come hard after the break which they did. 

Bailey Flanigan blanketed the dangerous returning Tiger key forward Riley Gillian which stemmed the Tiger attack to the point they were held to a single major after the main break.

Noy and Porter were everywhere and utilised the ruck work of Leys and Dowe to advantage.

After getting a less than friendly welcome to his new club by the MN lads Nathan Giardina set about playing some serious footy. His two goals were the cream on the cake for him.

Reduced to 17 men and no bench, which compounded a late withdrawal that necessitated club stalwart James Holmes playing 8 quarters for the day this was a win to be enjoyed as we head to the Easter break 2-0.

The Demons are slowly laying the foundation from which to build a successful season, and their dismantling of the Tigers given the personnel pressure they were under added to the merit of the victory, but the Tigers too, even in defeat, walked away with a handful of positive learnings.

Damian Turner, Mirboo North coach “ Disappointing day. I feel we got our hands on the ball enough but too many simple mistakes cost us. Proud of our effort but we really need to sharpen up over the break. 

Take nothing away from Boolarra, they are much improved.”

That much improved Boolarra was on show at the weekend, an off season of savvy recruiting complimented by a robust pre season, has many in the competition raising their eyebrows at the good early work of the Demons.

Foster v Newborough

Foster had to sit and watch round one as a consequence of their first week bye, but if they had spent the time to watch Newborough they would have been under no illusions as to the enormity of the task given the Bulldogs impressive first round victory.

The Tigers, however, were well and truly ready,

jumping out of the block beautifully and kick-starting their season with an impressive 14-12-96 to 5-9-39 victory.

Sam Davies, Foster coach “Nice to get a win first up - we overused the ball going forward and didn’t lower our eyes enough and played into their hands. We did end up with plenty of goal kickers which is nice and we still have a couple to come back in.”

At this early stage of the year it really is difficult to line up form from one week to the next but certainly in the first fortnight Newborough have had rapidly contrasting contests.

Pat Frendo, Newborough coach: “Foster much too strong on the weekend. We showed patches of effort and pressure for periods but Foster responded well every time. Felt like we had a lot of the ball in our forward fifty in the second half but failed to impact the scoreboard at all. Foster was really well drilled and set up behind the footy. Gave us a really good indicator of things we need to work on going forward. At least we now have

the Easter break and bye coming up so get two weeks off to recoup before we face Thorpdale at home.”

An early season break will be welcomed by the players, but not always by the coaches, who after a win are keen to maintain momentum and after a loss want desperately to right some wrong, so with a “two” weeks away, the Bulldogs will be under the spotlight as they return to the kennel in an attempt to get their game back on track.

MDU v Thorpdale

The Demons were eager to move on from their first round loss to Newborough, but remained wary of a visiting Thorpdale side that came with winning form from the week prior.

Playing in front of a healthy home ground provided the perfect setting for an improved performance.

MDU 17-11-113, thirty eight point winners over the Blues 11-9-75.

Rhett Kelly, MDU coach, “I'm super proud of how the lads responded yesterday after a poor performance in round one. The energy was up early in the first quarter and set us up for what I think was a great four quarter-game. We moved the footy really well and were able to get our hands on the footy at the stoppages, something we couldn't do the week before. Credit to Thorpdale, who really challenged us defensively and caught us out the back a few times and were able to score from it.

The Demons certainly had put their first round defeat to the side as they, worked harder, worked smarter and finished better than their round one effort,

Daniel Taylor, Thorpdale coach “Disappointing as we couldn't get the game on our terms all day. We got beaten on the inside and comprehensively beaten on the outside by a fit and fast MDU side in hot conditions. We just couldn't go with them on the spread, we couldn't get any pressure on the ball carrier which meant their forwards became a real handful.”

Even at this early stage of the year, it is becoming obvious that there is no weekend where a club can expect to “bank a win” either you are ready to play or you are not, and if you’re not, you’re in trouble!

Morwell East v Hill End

Even in a long season some sides can feel the pressure more acutely than others, and there was no doubt that the Hawks were feeling the heat after their shock loss to Thorpdale in the opening round.

The home side fell over the line in a one goal game 12-8-80 to 11-8-74.

Paul Henry, Morwell East coach “Hill End jumped us early. It wasn't until the last ten minutes of the second quarter we found our groove. our third quarter was our best quarter. Three goal lead at three quarter time then Hill End kicked 3 straight in quick succession. Big goal late clinched the win.”

A knee injury to Matt Cunnningham in the second quarter certainly help the Hawk's cause, but credit to both clubs in fighting this one to the end, as important as success was for Morwell East, it was one that got away for the Rovers, who remain on the hunt for their a rare win in recent years. 

Adrian Burns, Hill End coach “You could say that, it was one that got away, but I was really happy with our effort, it was a pretty physical game, and I'd say there will be some pretty sore bodies, this week, you I know I think it was  just the last five minutes of each quarter that cost us, but we did show improvement in round one effort and that was pleasing."

Coach Burns has demanded honesty and effort, and the Hillsmen certainly gave that on the weekend, it might be hard to pinpoint where their first win will come from, but every opposition side best be prepared for a fight to claim the points when they take on the Hillsmen.

Tarwin v Stony Creek

It was inevitable that one of these two sides would register their first win, the unfortunate truth was that one would also register their second loss, and the difference between the two results on coach and players is enormous.

The Sharks hosting the Creek found themselves chasing the Lions for most of the day, before a disappointing twenty six point loss, their 7-10-52 well short of the visitors 12-6-78.

Lachie Jones, Tarwin coach “We were out worked today by Stony Creek who were disciplined and hungrier so full credit too them. 

I’d like to acknowledge Chris Verboon who has had a terrific career.”

It hasn’t be an ideal start to the season for the Sharks, but it must be said that they were competitive for most of the day, a seventeen point lead at quarter time set up the win for the visitors, however there was a lot to like about Tarwin’s third quarter where they comfortably outscored the Lions and put themselves, very much in the game.

Troy Shepardson, Stony Creek coach “It was a very fast paced tight contest down at Tarwin where we were able to convert our chances and come away with our first win for the year!”

With five goal scorers, and multiples to Bergles, Bull and Bernando, the Lions proved to have plenty of avenues to goal, couple that with the observations of an opposition that describes Stony Creek as “disciplined and hungry” and the makings of a good side are quickly being put together.

Yinnar v Toora

The clash of the Magpies on Yinnar's home ground was one in which the visitors were aware of the enormity of the task,Toora, regardl;ess of the result wanted to see first hand what they might need to compete with one of the best.

The answer was, still quite a bit, as one of the leagues leading premiership contenders really put their foot down after quarter time to win by better than ten goals.

Yinnars 17-17-119 to the visitors 7-9-51.

Jai Acardi, Toora coach “We played some really good football in the first quarter where our pressure was up and our ability to move the ball was on point. Unfortunately we were not able to stay at that level for long enough and Yinnar ran all over us after halftime.”

The visitors indeed did match it with the home ground Magpies early, with scores locked away at twenty two a piece at the first break, but as good sides do Yinnar quickly put their opposition under more and more pressure to quickly gain control.

Sam McCulloch, Yinnar coach “Very happy to come away with wins in all grades of football and netball in our first home game of the season. 

After a fairly even first half, we managed to get on top in the second half and get the game on our terms. We ran the game out really well and finished with a good win. Plenty to work on going into the Easter break.

They key to Yinnar’s success is evident in McCulloch’s response, despite being happy with the win, getting the game on their terms and running the game out well, he feels there is still plenty to work on, and that constant drive to be better is what makes clubs and players their best.

Bye - Fish Creek