Fish Creek v Morwell East Finals footy is six weeks away, but for some clubs it might as well start this weekend with both Morwell East and Fish Creek very much a part of up to eight clubs fighting for limited spots in the Leagues top six. Jarrod Walker, Fish Creek coach “ This weekend is another big game, which I feel with how tight the ladder is at the moment they’re all big. Morwell East are always a hard and tough opponent so we need to be on our game” The Hawks are hard to catch, but on their day, they can certainly be a force to be reckoned with, as they showed so brilliantly last week against the reigning premiers, Yinnar, and it will be that sort of effort that will be again expected from the Morwell East coach Paul Henry. "We were hungrier to win last week, and it was nice to be on the winning side of a close one, now we head to Fish Creek this week and like I said last week, every game is a final from here." The Hawks may have had a surprising win last week and if they were to back that up with success over a quality Fish Creek side, the thoughts of finals would start to evolve from dream to reality. Mirboo North v Hill End It’s been a tough year in which to gauge just what Mirboo North might deliver on a weekly basis, one week the Tigers are defeating the reigning premiers the next losing the unlosable game (if there is such a thing in 2023!) A fortnight ago a loss to Fish Creek highlighted some areas with which to work before heading into the bye. At home this weekend, it could well be win or season wasted. Peter Mongta, Mirboo North coach “ We were simply out worked in and around the contest and they moved the footy with ease and easy shots on goal two weeks ago but we had a well deserved rest for our club last week and look forward to the run home.” The Tigers are currently tenth on the MGFNL ladder, with two wins to be made up to really get Tiger fans excited, and a win over Hill End therefore is absolutely crucial. Mike Santo, Hill End coach "We believe that this week's game against Mirboo North is a winnable one, we will prepare accordingly and hopefully we show up and are ready to play." That is possibly one of the most frustrating aspects of a coach's preparation of a team, hoping, wondering whether your boys will turn up and be ready to play, they will need to be this week, otherwise it will be a result like many before. Newborough v Tarwin The "Mindful Aus" clash between the two sides that sit at the top of the MGFNL table is important for both premiership points, but also to bring attention to the mental health that so many face. Craig Skinner, Newborough coach “ This week will be the sixth time we play the side that sits second on the ladder so we will reset again this week so we are ready to welcome Tarwin for our Mindful Aus clash with our new jumper for a cause that means so much to both clubs." The two clubs share a mutual respect for each other, for what they do both on and off the field, that respect is embraced by both coaches, but make no mistake, both are also absolutely focused on doing what they need to do to win. Troy Hemming, Tarwin coach, “ This week we get our opportunity at the best in the comp. We get to do that while raising money and awareness for mental health through Mindful Aus! This week is about our team, our club and our community! Football takes care of itself.” The clash will show just how much the Sharks have improved in recent weeks, it will also test the resolve of Newborough on the back of their drawn game last week against Foster. Stony Creek v Boolarra Boolarra have somehow managed to keep their season and their hopes of playing finals alive by winning games, that they may not have a right to, given the amount of players they still have on the sideline due to injury and unavailability, but even with all that said, winning again this week is crucial. Tony Giardina, Boolarra coach “ Last week we had a good start to the game in pretty trying conditions the kept going all game, it was good to get another win under our belt and hopefully we can get a few players back in the next few weeks for some big games coming up”
Finals might be possible, even mathematically for Stony Creek, but winning matches remains a priority for the Lions and for the development that the coach has been nurturing.
Chris Verboon, Stony Creek coach “We take on Boolara at home this week. It's another game that will be a good test for us and hopefully we can get back to playing the footy I know we can play."
In the midst of winter, motivating players can sometimes be a task, but if the Lions can somehow "believe" in what they can do, it may well be a closer game than many expect.
Thorpdale v Foster
As good as both of these sides have been, somehow, some way, one will need to be better than ever before to find a way to win.
Fosters' efforts to draw with the unbeaten Newborough last week was full of merit, but you would expect this weekend to be just as tough.
Sam Davies, Foster “ Thorpy off the massive win they had last week over MDU will this week be a slog and tougher again.”
Foster were second on the ladder before their draw with Newborough, but that draw saw the Tigers drop from second to fifth, and although It's probably expected that both of these two sides will be playing a part in finals in a month and halfs time, lose this week and the pressure is automatically on such is the evenness in talent and on the MGFNL ladder.
Jason Winderlich, Thorpdale coach “ It is a huge test this week against a red hot Foster. Each week is essentially an elimination final for the remaining 6 games. Foster are a powerful scoring team so our defensive work will need to be at its best to give us a chance of an upset.”
As coaches and players learn more about their upcoming opposition, understanding strengths and finding weaknesses becomes even tougher to identify, but that won't both of these two coaches trying to do just that this week.
Yinnar v Toora
Each week, a coach is dealt a win or a loss (sometimes a draw) but despite the result a coach more times than not more interested in his sides' efforts and honesty during the course of the game.
Toora may not have won many, but their teams' efforts cannot be questioned.
Jack Weston, Toora coach “ We have Yinnar this week who no doubt will be looking to bounce back from their loss last week. With some improved performances over the last month I look forward to the challenge of coming up against the reigning premiers.”
As happy as Toora have been, even in losing, for Yinnar the coach is expecting much more from a side that is the league's reigning premiers.
Daniel Taylor, Yinnar coach “Toora next week is a must win game. We need to rock up, get to work early and we need to start playing the right way, again.”

The message is simple, the Magpies are a good side, but believing the match will be won, before the ball is bounced is always a risky proposition, so risky in fact that has already cost them a game they could ill afford to have lost.
Bye: MDU
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