by Rob Popplestone
It appears the top six in Mid Gippsland footy is pretty much set, and it is time to start to focusing on how that six might start to settle with only a handful of games remaining in the home and away season.
However, one Saturday afternoon could see a reassessment. This Saturday may well be one of those.
Thorpdale v MDU
Thorpdale, seventh on the ladder, host the sixth placed MDU in one such clash. Just percentage separates these two teams.
The Blues have had a "spluttering" type of season, in which injuries, weddings, work commitments and anything else one might think of have affected Thorpdale being able to have their best side on the park.
They are up against a Demons side whose major opponent seems to be consistency of performance.
MDU coach Nathan Allen declared this "a huge game".
"Both level on points and fighting for the same spot, so it's going to be a lot of fun," Allen said.
The fun is likely to come with a win, but there is privilege in being part of pressure. There will certainly be plenty of that from an honest and aggressive Thorpdale side keen to perform in front of a home crowd and lock up a top six spot.
"Big challenge this week against the 'Sheen Machine' and an MDU side," Thorpdale coach Jason Winderlich said. "We are trying to pinch their spot in the top six."
"We are hoping we can challenge them again and keep our season on track," Winderlich added.
A win won't guarantee a finals spot. But it will have the victor well positioned as the race for the real stuff really heats up.
Mirboo North v Boolarra
Whilst this game is unlikely to have an impact on finals, victory is no less important for what is both destined and planned to be a big day for the Tigers.
The Tigers are hosting a huge celebration for past players and premierships, complemented by the presence of perhaps of the game's greatest in Gary Ablett Jnr. Ablett will be on the sidelines throwing his support behind Mirboo, who are looking for a better performance than last week.
"We move on quickly from last week, continue to work hard and have a huge weekend versus Boolarra," Mirboo North coach Damian Turner said.
"This will be our past player and premiership reunions," Turner added. "Big crowd expected against respected rivals. Can't wait for the next challenge!"
The challenges don't stop for any side in the competition, let alone those that hover at the wrong end of the MGFNL ladder.
The Tigers would pencil this one as a 50-50 chance, better odds than most weeks for the home side. However, the task remains a sizeable one against an opponent that is substantially better than their ladder position suggests.
"It is a big rivalry between the two clubs and both of us have struggled this year," Boolarra coach Brendan Mason said. "They are a different team at home, so it will no doubt be another tough and important contest for both teams."
The Demons will start favourites, but the conditions of winter, nuances of the Tigers' home ground and past players day all lean towards an even contest.
Morwell East v Foster
In one of the great escapes, Morwell East fell over the line by just six points against Boolarra last week, an opposition short of the quality they can expect to face against Foster.
The Tigers were ruthless in their demolition of Hill End, a more than 100 point victory highlighted by the 15 goal performance of forward Jake Best.
Best, however, is but one of many that the home side will need to cover and stop, whilst also creating a game style that gives them the opportunity to win.
Morwell East coach Paul Henry said this weekend signals the start of "the double up games" - teams they have already played - and "it doesn't get any tougher than playing Foster at home".
The Hawks did a number on the Tigers in their first encounter of the year, winning by close enough to 10 goals. However, a lot of water has gone under the bridge since that clash. You can bet that Foster will seek to make a statement.
Foster coach Sam Davies labelled it a "big game" as they aim to get a closer result than that seen in round one.
It looms as not only the match of the round but also a likely precursor to the type of football we will see come finals. Expect high intensity, heavy contact and relentless pressure, all watched by a large and enthusiastic crowd.
Newborough v Fish Creek
Coming off a welcome bye, Newborough have had an opportunity to freshen, re-assess and ultimately plan for one of the toughest assignments in football in round 14.
The Bulldogs have yet to hit the heady heights of seasons 2022 or 2023, but they are positioned well enough to cause some damage in 2024. This game will give a strong indication of whether they are in fact close to where they need to be.
"We were relieved to get to our bye last week to reset before we play the three top teams on the other side - Fish Creek, Yinnar, a bye, then Morwell East," Newborough coach Craig Skinner said.
The picture after that block of football will make it crystal clear just where the Bulldogs sit. Saturday's challenge against the Kangaroos is perhaps the toughest.
Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker said this weekend at Newborough's home ground was "another big test".
"With a really tight top six, every game is crucial and (we) can't afford to be slightly off," Walker said.
The Bulldogs at "The Kennel" is about as tough as it might get for an opposition side. However, at the end of the day, the home side will need contributions from every player within the framework spelt out by coach Skinner.
Even then, that will only give an opportunity for success and not guarantee it, such is the strength of the visiting Kangaroos.
Toora v Yinnar
Toora will welcome former AFL star Dylan Buckley to the Magpies team this weekend as part of a huge promotion for the club.
The former Carlton and GWS player will take the field in the battle of the Magpies.
The home Maggies have been one of the top performing teams outside of the top six, and will see Saturday as one in which they can cause some problems for one of the league's contenders.
Toora coach Jack Weston said it was a big weekend for the entire club.
"We are extremely grateful for the great opportunity The Carlton Draft presents us," Weston said. "But we've got a job to do, and that is to perform on perhaps the biggest stage available outside of a final, against a strong Yinnar side who can get you in many ways."
Yinnar have been at the top of a peak and the base of a trough over the past fortnight. They will be keen to settle back into the game style that, for the most part of the season, has stood up to nearly every side in the competition.
"Our attention turns to the home stretch, starting with The Carlton Draft game at Toora this weekend," Yinnar coach Sam McCulloch said.
The Toora Magpies have set themselves up for a good performance this weekend from a long way out. Whilst it will no doubt take one of their best to ruffle the feathers of the visiting Yinnar side, stranger things have happened this year.
Byes: Hill End, Stony Creek and Tarwin.