by Rob Popplestone
Toora will be eyeing an upset over finals contender Thorpdale in round 17 of Mid Gippsland football on Saturday.
Thorpdale v Toora
The Blues will welcome a Toora side that has experienced the highs and lows of football over the past two months.
A series of wins had the Magpies in finals conversations up until a week ago when their loss to Boolarra managed to kill that dream.
However, the chance to upset a side safely in the six presents itself on Saturday as the Toora side run out for the last time this year.
Toora coach Jay Accardi said last week's result was obviously not the one they were after.
Heading to Thorpdale, Accardi said they "hope to put in a much stronger performance".
Thorpdale look safe inside the top six. However, bringing winning form into finals is what a coach always likes to see. With just a fortnight before finals, the time to get things right is quickly approaching.
"We've put ourselves in a pretty good position leading into the bye last week," Thorpdale coach Daniel Taylor said. "On a personal note, it was great to have a stress free Saturday. But the main thing is it gives the boys a great opportunity to freshen up before the back end of the season."
Given the evenness of the competition, no matter where you finish - from first to sixth - it gives any side a fighting chance to capture something pretty amazing.
Stony Creek v Hill End
With no finals on the horizon but a rare chance for premiership points, these two teams will no doubt will throw themselves in with the hope of a highlight to finish off the season.
The Rovers have been good over the past month, whilst the Lions are rarely far away.
Stony Creek coach Troy Shepherdson reflected on a "tough, contested game" against Mirboo North with many lead changes.
"But another week we fell agonisingly close at the final siren," Shepherdson said. "This week we get Hill End on our home deck, hoping to change the result of previous meeting."
For both teams a win is crucial. As part of a sales pitch to prospective players for the season ahead, there is no better way to sell than with a late season flurry of victories.
Hill End coach Adrian Burns said "we will give ourselves a real chance".
"The season has gone quick, we have improved out of sight," Burns said. "I wish we had six games left, not two, because we are improving all the time."
Looking ahead, Burns said "hopefully 2026 will start to show a little more for us all to get excited about".
Fish Creek v MDU
This clash is a feature of round 17.
In perhaps a preview to an upcoming final, this is most definitely an opportunity for both to have a good look at an opposition side that they must be ready for in a few weeks time - just in case.
Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker predicts a rough game against a side coming off a good win and rest, noting "they will be full of confidence".
"Our last home game for the year so hopefully we can get a good crowd and a win," Walker said.
The Demons have experienced some contrasting form in recent weeks. However, there is no doubt that their best is more than capable of taking on the very top sides of the MGFNL competition; one of which is this week's opponent.
MDU coach Rhett Kelly said it was a big game against one of the top teams who had played some great footy this year.
"When we played them earlier in the season, we learnt a lot about our stoppage game," Kelly said. "We've made some adjustments since then that have really helped us improve in that area."
"We're looking forward to the challenge after having the weekend off with the bye," he added.
Winning is important, no doubt. But, even in losing, if you can learn a little about your opponent, possibly about future matchups, opposition ball movement and be better prepared, this weekend might well be a worthy investment.
Mirboo North v Foster
The tale of two Tiger teams will be told this weekend when finals aspirants Mirboo North welcome premiership favourite Foster to their home ground.
For Foster, finals are a given. But, for the home ground Tigers, there is still a massive hill to climb.
Mirboo North coach Damien Turner said he was looking forward to "the battle of the two Tigers for the second time this year".
"We host Foster in what will be a fierce contest, one we won't shy away from, as we look to keep building momentum," Turner said. "Can't wait."
The enthusiasm generated through the side by Turner has helped fast track the development of his side. And, they will need every bit of it this weekend against a team that has tasted defeat just once this season.
It'll be interesting to see their tactics this time after playing plus two behind the ball a month ago when we played them," Foster coach Sam Davies said. "They're in the fight for the last spot in the six, so we'll plan for them to do something similar again."
Sometimes sides do what they have to do to get the result needed. As much as Foster can prepare for the flooding of their forwards from the home side, the real pressure on Mirboo North is not so much to minimise a loss but rather to find a way to manufacture an unlikely win.
Yinnar v Newborough
Newborough will approach this weekend under no illusions as to what is required - win or season over. Even with a win, the odds will be stacked against the Bulldogs.
Yinnar will be well aware of and anticipating a desperate clash this weekend.
"With the bye last week, it was a real opportunity for us to regroup and have a good look at some areas of our game that are letting us down," Yinnar coach Sam McCulloch said. "Will get to work over the next few weeks at training and set ourselves up for a big game against Newborough."
Yinnar, like a few others inside the top six, are searching for some improvement and consistency in performances. This weekend provides that opportunity.
The visiting Bulldogs certainly won't be a polite guest when they arrive at the home of the Magpies.
Newborough coach Pat Frendo said it won't be an easy task against Yinnar who would be aiming for form heading into finals.
"Once again we're looking forward to the challenge and hoping to frustrate a contending team before September," Frendo said.
The Magpies, desperate for another chance at grand final glory after last year's disappointment, will need to play perhaps their best football of the season over the next month and a bit. But, as they say in football, they will be also taking it one week at a time.
Byes: Boolarra, Morwell East and Tarwin.