Blues put to the test against strong Kangaroos

by Rob Popplestone
After coming up short against grand finalists Newborough last week, Thorpdale will face an even tougher proposition in round seven of Mid Gippsland footy on Saturday.
Thorpdale v Fish Creek
The Blues face reigning premiers Fish Creek who have been most impressive in recent times.
The Kangaroos will see this weekend as a chance to do some damage to a Thorpdale side that is definitely part of a finals mix.
"It's a tough trek up to spud country to take on a well-drilled Thorpdale," Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker said. "A team that will be in the mix this year, so hoping to put up a good performance"
The Blues can be hard to beat at any time. On the rebound, they can be even more dangerous, especially given they will be strengthened by way of numbers. They will take very few - if any - short steps and their physicality at ball and player can be very confronting.
"It will be another tough game next week against the premiers, but it will also be nice to get back on home soil after a couple of away games," Thorpdale coach Ray Pickering said. "Hopefully we can gain some troops back to bolster club depth."
Fish Creek are currently on top of the MGFNL ladder and Thorpdale sit in eighth position. But, a Blues victory would see them behind the Kangaroos by just percentage.
Morwell East v Hill End
Morwell East could not have hoped for a better start to their season.
Their form in the first month was as good as it gets, before a fortnight brought the Hawks crashing back to the pack.
This weekend presents a chance for the home side to bounce back to winning form and keep the visiting Rovers searching for their first win of the year.
"Last weekend was another disappointing loss," Morwell East coach Paul Henry said. "This weekend's game against Hill End is a must win before a few weeks off."
Their opponent Hill End is yet to find a win. But, to their credit, the Rovers have manfully turned up week in and week out, producing the best they can.
"The lads played with fire and aggression in our last match, hit the packs hard and tackled ferociously," Hill End coach Ambu Uliando said. "We have lots of sore bodies and are looking forward to Morwell East after a week off."
This one should be a comfortable victory for the home side. However, just winning won't be what coach Paul Henry will want to see. It's the way his team go about their business that will be of most interest after two losses in a row.
Stony Creek v Boolarra
Given the evenness of the MGFNL and how precariously these two sides sit within that competition, a win is vitally important for both Boolarra and Stony Creek.
Despite it only being round seven, it will most certainly be a long way back for the loser.
Boolarra coach Brendan Mason said Stony Creek had challenged some strong teams and it was a big game at their home ground.
"We will have to be at our best for four quarters if we want to come away with four points," Mason said.
The Demons have continued to show patches of what they are capable of. But, being able to produce that for the full four quarters has been their Achilles heel.
It must be said, however, that the Lions are somewhat guilty of the same.
"There's positives to take from last week's game but, in the end, it's another one that got away," Stony Creek coach Chris Verboon said. "This week we host Boolarra. Both teams will be hungry for the four points after some close losses."
It may not be impossible for a losing side to bounce back after this weekend, but it will be bloody hard. Those making the effort to be on the sidelines will be treated to all the intensity of a final.
Mirboo North v Yinnar
The Tigers are playing at home and that might be the highlight of this weekend for Mirboo North against a visiting Yinnar side in very rare form.
The Magpies have been more impressive in recent weeks, both in accounting for Newborough a fortnight ago and the way they responded to pressure against Morwell East.
Mirboo North coach Damian Turner said Yinnar was building into some great form.
"We will continue to work on our consistency across games and hopefully see some results in coming weeks," Turner said.
It is hard to see a chance of victory for Mirboo North, but I'm sure stranger things have happened. Although I can't think of them at the moment.
Yinnar are building confidence and are hard to stop when in full flight.
After a "real character building win" against Morwell East last week, Yinnar coach Sam McCulloch said his team faced another challenge this week.
McCulloch said Mirboo North were "always a different team at home".
Yinnar will win this game, make no mistake, and the Tigers will have their eyes on more winnable games in the weeks ahead as a reward for the hard work they are no doubt doing.
Toora v MDU
MDU might well be deserving favourites for this clash with the Magpies. But, underestimate Toora at your own peril.
The Magpies certainly gave Tarwin a scare last week and there is no reason to suspect they can't do the same this week.
"We have MDU this week who are well-drilled and control the ball well," Toora coach Jack Weston said. "We need to defend the ground well and stop them from moving the ball into their forward 50 quickly."
You get the feeling Toora are just one unexpected win from turning the corner. Their weekend opponent not only understands this, they are ready for it.
"We expect another tough contest and we really need to put four quarters together," MDU coach Nathan Allen said.
There have been plenty of examples of results not going the way they were expected to. This match, therefore, looms as somewhat of a "turning point" for both teams, with MDU having more to lose than Toora.
Newborough v Tarwin
After a stuttering start to the season, Newborough are back into the groove and set to play some of their best football in the weeks ahead.
The Bulldogs are not without some concerns but, nevertheless, seemingly heading in the right direction.
"Like all clubs, injuries are taking their toll and depth will be tested over the next few weeks as we prepare to play Tarwin," Newborough coach Craig Skinner said, predicting "another tough contest to get the valuable four points".
In nearly every contest, either this writer or one of the coaches themselves speak of the importance of securing the victory and therefore the four points. Also important is the way in which a team is playing their football. Newborough are about where they need to be, Tarwin will know more this weekend.
"This week we are away against a Newborough side who are currently in the top four which will be a great test for us," Tarwin coach Jason Kennedy said.
Tarwin are only percentage behind their Bulldogs and just a game off top spot on the ladder. It would only take a win against the odds this weekend to throw a spanner into the works and calculations of where sides might be likely to finish.
Bye: Foster.