by Rob Popplestone
Two thirds of the way into the home and away season, the Mid Gippsland football ladder is finally taking shape.
There are signs of who might and who might now be part of the action in six weeks' time.
Hill End v Foster
Hill End's win last week over Boolarra made many happy, not just at the home of the Rovers but in footy circles generally. However, as good as that win was, Foster might bring them back to reality on Saturday.
The Tigers will need to treat the clash like any other against an in-form side.
"Hill End away, coming up on the back of their first win in a couple of years," Foster coach Sam Davies said. "They'll no doubt have their tails up and will want to have back-to-back wins."
All credit must go to the Hillsmen, who have managed to keep the club motivated in the most trying of circumstances. The fact that last week's victory meant so much to so many, displays the sort of passion for the game and each other that every club desires.
"It's going to be extremely hard to back it up against an in-form Foster side," Hill End coach Ambu Uliando said. "Hopefully we will continue building on how we've improved the last few weeks."
The Rovers' form in recent weeks has indeed shown some rapid improvement in all of the one percent areas that coaches demand. But, whether that will be anywhere close enough to threaten a very good Foster side, remains to be seen.
Tarwin v Thorpdale
Two into one doesn't go. These two sides are chasing the same top six spot - most likely sixth.
The loser of this game is likely to face a long road back, needing to not only win one or two against the odds but also rely on others to lose just the right games. In short, destiny will be taken from their hands, and no coach wants that.
Thorpdale coach Jason Winderlich said it was good for his team to have last weekend off to freshen up.
"Will hopefully get some players back this week to have a crack at Tarwin on their home deck," Winderlich said. "No doubt they will be up for a good fight to stay in touch with the top six."
Thorpdale may start this one as marginal favourites. However, the Sharks on their home deck with so much to play for, will be a worthy opponent.
Tarwin coach Jason Kennedy said "it is no doubt going to be a big game".
Kennedy said "we have had some good young talent come through the ranks", some of whom played with their dads last week. However, all attention is now firmly on Thorpdale.
A loss for the home side would spell the end of the road for Tarwin. As a result, their attention would likely turn to further developing the young talent they have ahead of another assault in 2025.
Boolarra v Morwell East
The past fortnight will be one the Demons would rather forget.
Two losses - one of them to the previous winless Hill End - has those at Boolarra doing some soul searching in the hope of getting something positive out of the remainder of the year.
"We just have to find a way to respond from the last two weeks," Boolarra coach Brendan Mason said.
It's hard to imagine, given the form the Hawks are in, that the Demons will be able to turn it around, even on their home deck. However, history shows an upset win is not impossible.
"We haven't had a great run over there the last couple of years," Morwell East coach Paul Henry said. "We will be looking to change that."
Indeed if the Hawks can change that, they will also start to grab a more secure grip on a top three spot. Providing a double chance come finals time, that in itself is worth gold in such an even competition.
Fish Creek v Toora
No matter how opposition sides prepare for their contest with Fish Creek, the Kangaroos are capable of finding a way to win.
We have seen them jump out of the blocks and give no one a chance, we have seen them come from behind and hit the front at just the right time, and we have witnessed them think their way through a match and determine what and when things should happen. It's pretty impressive stuff.
And, Toora are more than aware of what they will confront this week.
"Challenges don't get any bigger than Fish Creek," Toora coach Jack Weston said. "Our best footy is good enough against the best, we just need to do it for long enough."
Believing you are capable is sometimes half the battle. The Magpies indicating their best might be good enough is a good start but it will take something pretty special to get over the top of the reigning premiers.
"We will have to be prepared for a physical game," Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker said. "We haven't played them yet this year, so will be an interesting contest."
As physical as the game is expected to be, you must also get your hands on the ball. Fish Creek have not come across too many capable of stopping them from doing just that in the past couple of seasons.
MDU v Mirboo North
This is without question a "fork in the road" weekend for MDU.The Demons will choose - or get forced down - the wrong path or a season defining journey this weekend.
Their season has been solid but sprinkled with some results that would concern coach Nathan Allen. This will have him preparing for this Tigers clash with both apprehension and excitement.
Allen described it "a must-win game for us if we want to challenge the top six come season end".
And, that is really it in a nutshell. If MDU want to be a part of the upcoming final series, they cannot drop what they are expected to win.
This weekend is one they are expected to win despite the Tigers starting to show some signs of improvement.
"Always tough down there," Mirboo North coach Damian Turner said. "They will be looking to bounce back no doubt. We need to bring four quarters of football to stay in this one."
The Tigers will be in it for a fair portion of the day. But, as coach Turner alluded to, it's being in it for the entirety of the afternoon that will provide the chance of winning it.
Yinnar v Stony Creek
Sometime a loss can impact a club for more than just the week they are beaten. With that in mind, it will be interesting to see how Yinnar can bounce back defeat at the hands of Foster just a week ago.
Playing at home, Yinnar coach Sam McCulloch said he was "looking forward to seeing how the group responds against another tough opponent in Stony Creek".
This is a coach who understands what he has at his disposal. It's all very well to be playing winning football. But, only after a defeat, do you better understand how it affects the players and how badly they want to bounce back.
If the Magpies are not ready to do just that, there is very little doubt that the Lions will seize the opportunity and make them pay two weeks in a row.
"There is a lot we can take out of the game and work on this week before taking on Yinnar on their home deck," Stony Creek coach Chris Verboon said. "If we can put four quarters together, we are a big chance."
The Lions have threatened to take the scalp of a contender a few times this year, but have fallen short on each occasion. Maybe this week is their chance.
Bye: Newborough.