by Rob Popplestone
Tarwin remain undefeated and on top of the Mid Gippsland Football ladder as round eight approaches on Saturday.
Thorpdale v Foster
A return to their home ground won't be the worst thing that could happen for Thorpdale on Saturday. But it is also unlikely to be the difference for a drastically different performance either.
The Blues really need to look within and find something deep down to lift themselves, both individually and as a team, after a couple of potentially soul destroying losses over the past fortnight.
Thorpdale coach Ray Pickering is happy to lead the way and, although hitting a few hurdles in recent times, there were some pleasing aspects of their performance against the more credentialed Hill End last week.
"We showed a much improved effort with some really good patches, but couldn't sustain it against a strong outfit," Pickering said.
Playing better for longer might be what most coaches want. If Pickering can get it, well, things can quickly turn around, even against a very good side in Foster.
Tigers coach Sam Davies is aiming to build momentum.
That momentum will no doubt be tough for the home side to stop, as will be Foster who desperately need to keep winning in order to keep in touch with the five sides that currently sit above them on the ladder.
Boolarra v Stony Creek
Boolarra, as good as they've been in the 2022 season to date, are still showing signs of improvement on a weekly basis.
The Demons are still a few players short of their best, and their output over four full quarters can also improve. But, the fact is, they are continuing to win, and they seem to be doing it even in pressure situations.
Stony Creek came back to earth after a defeat at the hands of Foster just last week. However, their performances on a weekly basis have been pretty good - certainly good enough to give the Demons a scare on their home ground.
The key for the Lions is going to be getting off to a good start away from home and in front of a healthy opposition crowd who, like the players on the ground, are enjoying what the year has offered to date.
"The boys battled well last week but came up short," Stony Creek coach Jai Acardi said. "A big improvement is needed for us to be competitive against Boolarra this coming Saturday."
The Lions are still a very real proposition of climbing their way up the MGFNL ladder. They have to win a few matches like this one, when the odds are slightly against them, to make some much needed ground.
MDU v Yinnar
It has been hard to gauge just how well this Yinnar team has been going. Certainly the score line indicates extraordinarily well, given their last fortnight has produced wins of 140 and 164 points!
However, as good as the Magpies have been, those results should be read with the knowledge opponents Thorpdale and Toora have been a long way from their best and with starting line-ups decimated from COVID and injuries.
All that said and done, you can only beat what is put in front of you. Credit where credit is due, Yinnar have done the job very well.
This week's task gets a bit tougher as they confront MDU.
"It's another massive game this week against Yinnar," Demons coach Peter Harris said. "It's a big challenge to bounce back, but we will back ourselves in to have a crack."
This test is sure to be a little tougher for Yinnar than their matches over the past fortnight.
"MDU this weekend is another challenge we're looking forward to," Yinnar coach Daniel Taylor said. "They've been in every single game this year and this week will be no different. It's a big game for both clubs moving forward."
On their home ground, the Demons have caused some visiting sides all sorts of problems. Their one-point victory over Hill End is evidence of that. No doubt Yinnar will be on the Demons' hit list this week..
Morwell East v Toora
Morwell East have failed twice in the past fortnight, and those two losses have been in games where the result was absolutely crucial.
In front of a healthy representation of past players a fortnight ago, the Hawks were comprehensively beaten by a more committed Newborough team. That result set up last week's clash against an unbeaten Tarwin side as a "must win". However, the resultant loss has seen Morwell East fall to seventh on the ladder and having to fight amongst more than a handful of teams all vying for a top five position.
There can be no excuses this week. The Hawks host a winless and undermanned Toora side who, despite yet to taste success, are giving their all on a weekly basis.
The Magpies may come into this match at very long odds of winning, but coach Matt Ponton knows his boys are fighting as hard as they can. The most pleasing thing is that they appear to be doing for longer periods of time as each week passes.
Morwell East should win comfortably, but they wouldn't want to approach the game with any less intensity than they showed in the early part of last week's clash against the top of the table Tarwin, or they might find themselves in a fight they don't want.
Newborough v Fish Creek
Newborough have responded to the pressure of having to perform when it counts and are slowly, but surely, started to claw their way up the MGFNL ladder.
Currently fourth, the Bulldogs are just the one win from second spot. As tantalisingly close as that is, coach Craig Skinner would be more focused on his side continuing the improvement he has witnessed since season start.
"This week against Fish Creek we take on a proud and very successful club, back at the kennel for our sponsors and top dogs day," Skinner said.
The Bulldogs will be keen to put on a show for those that have supported them in the tough times and are now enjoying the ride of a more successful season.
The visiting Kangaroos team are facing some tough times, with results sometimes out of their control courtesy of COVID, injuries and availability of players. Proud clubs make little mention of their challenges as Fish Creek have done, and continue to push forward hoping to take some unlikely scalps along the way.
You get the sense that the Kangaroos will cause an upset or two along the way. The question is, might it be this week?
Tarwin v Mirboo North
A fortnight ago, it was tipped the unbeaten Tarwin side was about to face their toughest month of football to date and those four games would give an indication as to just how good they were.
Two weeks into that month and the Sharks remained unbeaten. They are a game and a half clear on top of the ladder with one less game played than Hill End in second spot.
In short, Tarwin have done everything right and plans to dish out the same disciplined performance this week.
"We have Mirboo North this week and it's going to be another big game, especially after they have had the week off with a bye." Tarwin coach Troy Hemming said. "They will be fresh and ready for a contest."
You get the feeling Mirboo North are going to start a run of wins that will propel them back into finals contention. But that time is quickly running out for the Tigers.
Mirboo North coach Josh Taylor expects the bye would help get everyone back on the park.
Even with the visiting Tigers bolstering their stock with returning players, the task at Tarwin might be just a little too much to ask for a visiting side that has the class but has not managed to reach their potential to date.
It might just be a season to forget for Mirboo North, but this writer has written off the Tigers too early before and is reluctant to do it again this year.
BYE: Hill End