Rovers enter as favourites at home

by Rob Popplestone
With round one done and dusted, the Mid Gippsland football community now turns its attention to round two games on Saturday.
It is a round that promises no less intrigue or interest than that of just seven days ago.
Hill End v Toora
Just a few short seasons ago, Hill End looked to be on track to claim a long awaited premiership.
However, COVID blew their plans off track, and into disarray.
At the time, coach Mike Santo feared their "premiership window" might have closed.
The makeup of the current team bears very little resemblance to the team of today. That's not to say this Rovers side is not capable, rather it has work to do in the weeks ahead as identified in the Hillsmen's round one loss to Morwell East.
"I was proud of the boys' effort all day, just ran out of legs after half-time with no bench," Santo said.
"Hopefully some scans go our way early next week, otherwise our depth will be pushed further than it already is currently against Toora."
Toora, too, will want some improvement after their loss to Mirboo North.
The Magpies won so impressively at reserves level in 2022, but have made no secret they would like to replicate that at the senior level.
"Hill End this week proves another challenge," Toora coach Jack Weston said.
"Always hard to get a gauge on early season form," he added. "We, like all teams at this point in the year, have a lot to work on to improve."
Weston hopes his team can build on last week's effort and come home with a win.
Hill End at home can be tough. With a win so crucial, even at this early stage, it's hard to see the visitors getting over the home team.
Thorpdale v Yinnar
If ever there was a team jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire, it is Thorpdale.
The Blues were gallant in defeat against 2022 finalists Boolarra last week. But this week's task hosting Yinnar is likely to be even tougher.
Yinnar are coming off a round one loss to Newborough in a replay of last season's grand final.
Thorpdale coach Jason Winderlich admitted it would be a tough task but "also an opportunity to keep developing as a group".
That is very much the key for Winderlich and the players at his disposal, both youthful and experienced. They are aiming to slowly form a team not only capable of more consistent success, but also a club believing it can win.
As the saying goes, "whether you think you can, or think you can't, you're probably right."
Even for the premiers, the importance of finding success in a new season is not lost.
Magpies coach Daniel Taylor said this was a big game.
"We need to bounce back," Taylor said. "It's only early days but it looks to be another close competition, so we can't afford to fall too far behind the pack. It's a must-win game for us."
Strong support from the local community is deserved, given they too can be and should be part of what is taking shape on the field. A win might not happen this week, but the improvement in what the Blues are delivering should be noticeable.
Foster v Tarwin
Foster have had a chance, through a round one bye, to reflect and reassess after the loss to Morwell East in the season opener just a fortnight ago.
The Tigers are a proud and quite powerful club that will no doubt still be stinging from that loss. They will have prepared themselves to rebound against an equally respected club in Tarwin.
Sharks coach Troy Hemming is prepared for an intensely contested match.
"We will have to be ready for a contested game as they have big bodied midfielders and tall targets forward," Hemming said. "It really should be another great challenge."
Foster, despite their disappointment, have identified areas of improvement. They realise they are just at the start of a very long journey, one in which they hope to be in the leading pack.
Foster coach Sam Davies said Morwell East handled the conditions better in their first match.
"Morwell East just had too many winners on the day that played their role better than us," Davies said. "To my boys' credit, we responded well in the last quarter and got the lead before fading."
"The toys aren't out of the cot," he added. "We'll bounce back and hopefully use this as a wake up call."
The Tigers cannot be underestimated. On more than one occasion they have managed to lift themselves off the canvas and find a way to land a knockout punch.
Their job this weekend, however, will be no easy feat, given the Sharks would like nothing better than to have Foster sitting 0-2.
MDU v Boolarra
Meeniyan Dumbalk United have done some of the very best work in the league during the off-season.
MDU have seemingly putting together a squad that looks capable of putting themselves back into finals contention.
There were certainly signs the Demons are on the right track, even in their loss to Tarwin.
For coach Nathan Allen, however, it's all about this week.
"We're just looking forward to another challenge in Boolarra, who got off to a winning start last week against Thorpdale," Allen said.
Boolarra were solid in round one but coach Tony Giardina expects their best was still ahead.
"Good to get a first up win for the season," Giardina said. "Plenty of room for improvement as our skill, at times, let us down."
In the battle of the Demons, it appears tough to confidently select a winner. What is guaranteed is a closely contested and physical clash.
Boolarra will be hoping that the likes of Sam Mazou, Nick Miller, Aidyn Sheers and Chris Whiteoak can get the edge on some of MDU's better players of last week Mike Smith, Billy Evers, Connor Krohn and Joel Sinclair.
Mirboo North v Stony Creek
Mirboo North at home is quite possibly one of the toughest tasks for any opposition side in the MGFNL.
It's not only the Tigers causing problems, but also the unique nature of their home ground.
New coach Peter Mongtap has his club up and about early, and you sense some positivity and enthusiasm off field as well, as they attempt to bounce back after the disappointment of not playing a part in the real stuff last season.
All that said, it's the Lions that stand in their way this week.
Mirboo North coach Peter Mongta said it would be a good challenge for the club.
Stony Creek, like every club in the competition, plays the game to play finals. But to do that, the hard work was done some months ago and is only now being tested. Under that test, good coaches quickly identify what fine tuning is needed to quickly improve.
"As disappointing as the loss was last week, we have a few things to work on that can make a big difference," Stony Creek coach Chris VerBoon said. "Discipline can be improved and also, importantly, some of our midfield setups around stoppages."
That's where supporters' attention should be this week, as both sides boast talented midfielders. Having the ascendency in that area is sure to be pivotal in the outcome of the clash.F
Fish Creek v Newborough
Forecast good conditions, play on the beautiful turf of the Lions' home ground and opponents generally regarded as this year's premiership favourite are deserving of a very healthy crowd.
The Kangaroos cleared the bar of Stony Creek in round one, but will have to jump a higher bar this weekend against Newborough.
"We are looking forward to this week," Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker said. "Newborough are always strong opposition to come up against."
"Looks like they will be thereabouts at the end of the season, so it will be good for us to get a test against quality opposition this early in the season," he added.
The Bulldogs are quality opposition. They withstood the physicality of Yinnar first up and showcased their ability to win the hard footy, execute silky skills, and display a good understanding of what coach Craig Skinner is after.
The interesting test for coaches and players is getting their heads around the many changes to personnel that clubs have made.
"We travel away again to Fish Creek who are off to a good start with a round one win," Newborough coach Craig Skinner said. "And don't know much about them, except they have a lot of McGannons playing."
Matthew and Sam McGannon were some of the best players for Fish Creek in round one, but they will need some significant assistance to take on the Bulldogs in round two.
Bye: Morwell East