Can Hill End go one better when Mid Gippsland footy begins?

by Rob Popplestone

They say a week is a long time in football.  The fact it has been 82 weeks since we last played a game in Mid Gippsland Football League, means the excitement and enthusiasm from all involved is about to hit a crescendo.

Add to the wait, the fact that six new quality sides - formerly of the Alberton League - have merged into the MGFNL adds another twist to what promises to be quite possibly the most interesting season in memory.

Foster v Hill End

The 2019 MGFL grand finalists Hill End venture to Foster for a twilight match in front of what is anticipated to be a very big crowd.

Foster coach Sam Davies says “we have a core group of mates playing together and plenty of youth wanting to play senior footy, but we would have liked more depth and more numbers at training”.

Rovers coach Mike Santo is keen to build on his team’s grand final appearance of 2019.

“We have a strong culture, high end talent and depth and nothing less than a grand final would be satisfying,” he said.

The league will take some time to take shape, but you get the feeling Hill End is very much focused on playing a major part in what that shape looks like.

Thorpdale v Yinnar

Thorpdale need a win.  Yes, I know it is only round one, but the Blues have not tasted victory since 2018, and that is a very long time in anyone’s mind.

The prospect, however, of hosting neighbours Yinnar, will be a tough introduction to a new year.

Thorpdale coach Ray Pickering said the core group was youthful and local to carry the club forward. 

“A couple of new key members to the squad is great but our weakness is our lack of depth,” he said.

They face the Magpies under new coach Daniel Taylor who seems more than happy with what he has to work with.

“We have had a great pre-season, good numbers and depth, promising juniors, good mix of youth and experience,” he said.  “We aim to be competitive every week and to play finals.”

At home, the Blues will want to show some fight and courage, and with that also allow some new faces to shine.

Pickering says, “with plenty of new additions getting the side to gel is vital – after zero wins in 2019, winning a handful and being competitive is the goal.”

Competitive is where starts and possibly stops for the Blues at this stage.  A win is likely during 2021, but probably not this week.

Boolarra v Mirboo North

The Demons would be hoping for an improved season and certainly some off-season recruiting has given them many more options,

But whether that will be enough, even at home, to overcome a very strong Tiger team remains to be seen.

Mirboo North coach Josh Taylor, a talented player himself, is surrounded by a wealth of experience.

“We have a lot of depth, key position players who can go at both ends, and a strong midfield…we have an expectation of finishing top four,” Taylor said.

Boolarra has showed glimpses of what its capable of but has a tough opening fortnight ahead.

Coach Tony Giardina says “we should know where we are after the first two rounds.  If we can win a lot more games…and then where that takes us, who knows”.

Mirboo North, by its own admission, is a little underdone but should be good enough to claim the points in its opening match of 2021.

Fish Creek v Tarwin

Fish Creek has been selective in its recruiting but confident it has secured what was needed to be an even better side than in 2019.

Coach John Danckert is bullish about the season that awaits.

“We have a great mix of youth and experience, we've recruited guys with finals experience, the aim is to play finals footy.”

Equally confident, however, is Tarwin coach Mark Garnham who says “we have recruited really well across the board, as an area we needed to improve was our depth.  There was a distinct drop off from our top 12 or so players and we think this year we will be less reliant on those and more balanced”.

The Sharks are looking for more consistency than in previous seasons and, given their improved depth, that possibility is certainly achievable.

Whilst there is uncertainty about many of the sides these two clubs are yet to face for the first time, there is no questioning a winning start against known opposition is absolutely critical.

MDU V Toora

As much as most are looking forward to pulling on the boots again, it can remain a task to attract new players or even existing players back to the club.

However, for MDU, the feeling about the future is extremely positive.

Coach Peter Harris says, “playing numbers and enthusiasm, a new league and coming off a year away from footy has everyone extremely excited”.

Harris wants to field four football sides who are competitive each week and just have everyone to enjoy being back in local footy.

Having the community engaged with their local team is great for any club, but it’s also terrific for the community who are anticipated to turn up in their numbers to see what Toora have to offer.

The Magpies are refreshingly honest about where they currently sit.

Coach Luke Manders explains, “it’s a fresh start, I have no expectations, and the fact is we have had 12 changes since last time we played in 2019.  But with the season now upon us, having a settled line up sooner rather than later will be gold”.

Newborough v Morwell East

Contrasting fortunes have hit between these two sides in the off season.

Morwell East is reasonably happy with where it sits, while Newborough still concedes it has work to do.

Bulldogs coach Peter Ainsworth says, “we have a lack of height and marking power, but our strengths are skill and pace”.

He aims to manage six to eight wins but be competitive in every game.

Dry weather could be the key for Newborough with the mentioned skill and pace, especially against a side like the Hawks who are keen to build on a brief finals appearance in 2019.

Coach Devon Soutar says, “we have an experienced group that is hungry for success.  The challenge will be adding more offensive power to the strong defensive values we built pre-COVID”.

Soutar knows all the hard work over a long build up to 2021 won’t mean a lot if it isn’t reflected on the scoreboard.

“After a bullish 2019 and the addition of some top end talent, we feel we are well placed to be in the mix.  However, the unknown landscape means there’s no room for talk, it’s all about actions.”

Morwell East will be favourites despite playing away from home, but no win is easy on the Bulldogs home deck.

BYE – Stony Creek