by Rob Popplestone
A couple of first class games will be seen in round eight of Mid Gippsland footy, but none more exciting than the top of the table clash between Foster and Fish Creek.
The reigning premiers Fish Creek will host the unbeaten Foster in what looms as a decider for who might be the 2025 premiership favourite.
Hill End v Boolarra
Hill End might not have tasted success this season, but their efforts cannot be questioned.
After a week off and on their home deck, the Rovers take on a side they might see as fragile, given the visiting Demons side have started to wobble over the past month.
After a fast start to the year that had them on top of the ladder after round four, the Demons have lost four games in succession.
Brendan Mason, Boolarra coach "With Hill End on the horizon, we'll work hard to ensure we hit the mid-season break ahead of the ledger," Boolarra coach Brendan Mason said. "If we are to return to the form that saw us start the year three-zero, we simply need to return to playing a positive style of footy and capitalising on our forward 50 entries."
Boolarra cannot afford to let this one drop but conversely the Rovers might not get a better chance to claim their first victory.
"Our boys are giving everything they can, they are young and keen and eager to learn," Hill End coach Adrian Burns said. "But this season is about learning and I'm sure a win will come soon that will certainly help our development."
It's a match that is sure to draw strong support from the local community, as they - like players and coaches alike - are keen to see a much-needed win.
Thorpdale v Tarwin
Winning form is good form and both Thorpdale and Tarwin bring that into round eight.
These two teams are also very well positioned to take a firmer grip on a top six spot, and the result of this clash will have a significant impact on their desire to do just that.
Thorpdale coach Daniel Taylor said the home clash was "another big game for us".
"It's a tight competition, so every week feels like a final for us at the moment," Taylor said. "This week will be no different."
That has been the consistent feeling for most clubs since welcoming the six teams from the Alberton league.
Tarwin coach Lachie Jones said he was particularly happy with his team's attack in the contest and team discipline to stick to tasks and seek reward last week.
"We are finding some continuity to what is a fairly new playing group," Jones said. "Thorpdale away this week in what is another big game, as they have impressed and surprised a few sides so far this season."
It is yet another clash where selecting a winner is a flip of the coin. However, getting the right result and the premiership points is unlikely to be the result of luck. It will be a hard fought clash; and the Blues wouldn't have it any other way on their home deck.
Fish Creek v Foster
Fish Creek have bounced back from their round one defeat to string together four wins in a row, playing the style of football that makes them a nightmare for opposition.
As good as the Tigers have been for the early part of the season, they are under no illusions as to the enormity of the task when they take on the Kangaroos on their home deck.
Foster coach Sam Davies said they would play a fresh Fish Creek away who were coming off a bye with a full list of players to choose from.
"Another massive test to see where we are at," Davies said. "There's some sore bodies after (Saturday), but we'll crack in and have the belief we can always be in the game."
Foster sit atop the MGFNL ladder and deservingly so. The Tigers are seemingly a stronger, more versatile team than that of just 12 months ago.
Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker said it would be "our biggest test this year against our old foe, who are undefeated to this point of the season".
"They'll be full of confidence, so we will need to be on our game from the first bounce," Walker said.
The result is crucial for Fish Creek to keep in touch. A loss would have the Kangaroos two games and percentage adrift, with just over half a home and away season to go.
Newborough v Yinnar
It was one that got away for Newborough last week when a shot on goal after the siren didn't hit the target. Therefore, the Bulldogs tasted defeat by just two points.
That disappointment must now quickly be pushed aside as they face a Yinnar team that, like them, are keen to jump back onto the winners' list.
"Went down in a close one against Tarwin out at the Shark Park," Newborough coach Pat Frendo said. "And, it doesn't get any easier this week when we face Yinnar coming off two losses. They'll be out for blood and we will have a big challenge on our hands."
"But, as the boys have done week in, week out, they'll take the challenge head on," Frendo added.
Yinnar appeared to be in control from round one, when they edged out last year's premiers Fish Creek. However, the last fortnight has tested the Magpies as the prepare to travel to the Bulldogs' Kennel.
Yinnar coach Sam McCulloch said his side were certainly still a chance to win late in the game but just couldn't get the job done.
"We've learnt a lot about ourselves over the last two weeks, and will get to work over some areas we need to work on," McCulloch said. "Newborough on their home ground is always tough. Will have to be on our game for four quarters."
That lesson has been learnt by a few teams this season - turn up be ready for four full quarters against any team or risk losing games you might otherwise win. This clash looms as one of those.
Stony Creek v Morwell East
Stony Creek are better than their ladder position suggests. However, they really need to get a wriggle on if they are going to be a contender later in the year.
This weekend's opponent in the shape of Morwell East should be one that is there for the Lions to take, given the Hawks recent poor form. But, they cannot afford to give the visitors any momentum early in the game.
Stony Creek coach Troy Shepherdson said his side couldn't get going until the last quarter coming off the bye.
"We came home with a wet sail, but had too much to do to get the win," Shepherdson said. "We get Morwell East back on our home deck, and we are very keen to bounce back and get ourselves on the winners' list once again."
Each week, this writer and I'm sure many of the Hawks' supporters are waiting for Morwell East to turn their season around. But you sense it already may be beyond repair.
"We are a long way off from where we need to be to compete at this level," Morwell East coach Paul Henry admitted. "Toora last were set for their first win and that they did. We were never in the game. Off to Stony Creek next week in another big game for our club."
The Lions will start favourites and deservingly so. If the Hawks are unable to grab a victory this week, you do wonder where their next win might come from.
Toora v MDU
Tasting success can quickly become a habit, and that will certainly be what Toora will be hoping as they prepare to take on one of the tougher tasks in the shape of a refreshed MDU team.
"It was really good to get our first win on the board against Morwell East in a tough contest," Toora coach Jay Accardi said. "We now reset and get ourselves ready to take on Meeniyan who are one of the in form teams of the comp. Nothing less than our output from the weekend just gone will be required."
It will be a tough task for Toora but not impossible as the Demons come off a much needed bye in round seven.
"The week off came for us at a good time, with a few sore bodies after a couple of physical games of footy against Tarwin and Yinnar," MDU coach Rhett Kelly said. "We look to take on Toora at Toora this weekend who are coming off an impressive win."
"We will be back on the track this Tuesday night after having some time away from the club to refresh," Kelly added. "We are looking forward to the next block of five games, which include the standalone game against Fish Creek in two weeks on the King's Birthday weekend."
That clash against the Kangaroos is sure to be a classic, but the Demons must not take their eyes off the more immediate challenge, which is most certainly the Magpies.
A loss would be devastating for MDU who have set their sights on being a contender later in the year.
BYE: Mirboo North.