by Rob Popplestone
A week is a long time in football and can change the trajectory of a season very quickly.
Round 14 did that to a few clubs, which makes this weekend all the more important.
Tarwin v Thorpdale
Sitting fifth on the MGFNL ladder, Thorpdale venture to the home of the seventh placed Tarwin who sit just a win behind them. We might still be a month from finals but, make no mistake, this is a finals game.
"Last week was probably one of the few times we've put together four quarters of footy," Thorpdale coach Daniel Taylor said. "Our pressure was good, we were more disciplined and we used the ball a lot better, which was pleasing. It was also great to get a win in front of our 1985 seniors and reserves premiership sides in what was a big day for the club."
Taylor said the game at Tarwin was important.
"They pipped us earlier in the year in what was a good game of footy, and this will be no different," he said. "Both sides need to win so it should be a cracker."
The Blues are coming off a convincing win over Morwell East, whereas Tarwin need to find some confidence after a devastatingly close loss to Toora.
Tarwin coach Lachie Jones labelled it "a really tough game and loss".
"It was a really physical game and, credit to them, they just wanted the contest more," Jones said. "We fell away in some basic fundamentals that proved costly. We will reset and go again next week against Thorpdale, where our season likely hangs in the balance."
The Blues are temporarily safe inside the coveted top six. For the Sharks, they cannot afford another loss for the season and will also need to see teams above them drop a game or two.
Mirboo North v Hill End
Amazingly, Mirboo North climbed up the ladder into sixth spot on the very weekend they had a bye.
The Tigers will take it however it comes, but their Hill End opposition in round 15 will be anything but a walk in the park.
Mirboo North coach Damian Turner said his side had a really strong week on the track during the bye and hoped their form would continue.
"Hill End will be up and about and no doubt fresher up after their bye and first win," Turner said. "We expect a tough contest."
"It's still so tight in the middle pack, so literally every moment can define seasons," he added of their top six place.
Mirboo North can be a tricky proposition for any opponent at home. However, the unique venue or the Tigers for that matter are not on the radar for the Rovers.
Hill End coach Adrian Burns said he had given his boys a chance to recover this week as "we really just want to set ourselves now for a strong finish in the last four games".
"We don't care where the opposition is or what they need to do, it's all about us just improving on what we now know we can do," Burns said.
This looms as a tricky game for the home team, who can accept nothing but a win given the traffic jam around the top six sides. If given even the slightest opportunity, you sense the Hillsmen will jump on it.
MDU v Yinnar
MDU is a prime example of the nature and evenness of the Mid Gippsland competition. Last week they were just one win from securing a top four spot. This weekend they find themselves fighting to stay in the top six.
The Demons might well rue last week's loss as they face a Magpies outfit coming off a loss.
"The weekend's performance has got us asking questions about where we stand as a team," MDU coach Rhett Kelly admitted. "There are still plenty of positives. We need to look at tidying up a few areas of our game, which will put us back on track."
Kelly said the younger players were stepping up and playing their roles well for the team.
"They have shown plenty of promise and are looking to cement their spots as senior players," he said.
Looking ahead to the challenge of Yinnar, Kelly said "they're coming off a loss and will be looking to respond, just as we are".
"Our last game was a close one, and I expect this will be another big game for both teams."
Like MDU, Yinnar were disappointed with what they dished up last week. But, unlike MDU, the Magpies have tied up a top four spot.
Yinnar coach Sam McCulloch said it was disappointing to miss out on an opportunity for a double chance come finals.
"The loss gives us the chance to narrow our focus and get to work on some areas of our game which we need to sharpen up on," McCulloch said.
"Another big challenge to come up against MDU on their home ground," he added. "Hopefully we can bounce back and turn the tables on our result from earlier in the season."
If in fact Yinnar can win, it will really put the acid on the Demons as we roll into the last few weeks of the home and away season.
Morwell East v Boolarra
Morwell East will be desperate to finish their season with a flurry of wins to make something of their year. However, this weekend they will confront a Boolarra team fighting for their finals life.
"After getting back into the winners' list, we face what will no doubt be a fired up Morwell East," Boolarra coach Brendan Mason said. "With both clubs performing below internal expectations so far this season, it promises to be a huge game at Vary St."
Morwell East will be hopeful of giving their supporters something to hold onto and, at the same time, something to build on. This is especially true after showing some positive signs last week before falling away.
"I thought we had control right from the start," Morwell East coach Paul Henry said. "But, again, our fundamental skill errors just kept on providing an opportunity for scoring from turnovers."
Looking to to this weekend, Henry said "I believe we can win."
As they say, whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're probably right. So the positive mindset from coach Henry needs to be embraced by his squad to give the home ground Hawks any chance.
Toora v Foster
Toora's home ground clash with the league leaders will be treated somewhat as a grand final for the Magpies. And, in many ways, that is what it is - a chance, a big chance, to claim the scalp of a quality opposition. It is also a chance to continue the feel good story of the competition.
"It took nothing less than a huge team effort to get points and, once again, the boys stood tall when it mattered most," Toora coach Jay Accardi reflected on the weekend.
"The job now definitely doesn't get any easier as we take on Foster in what will be another chance to see where we are in terms of the better teams in the competition."
As good as Foster have been, you still sense there is a bit of ammunition that will be fired come finals time. However, between then and now, it's all about getting the team prepared for the challenges that lay ahead.
"It was nice to have the week off and rest some sore bodies," Foster coach Sam Davies said of the bye. "It was also nice to sit back and watch what's going on around the league."
Travelling to Toora, Davies said it would be a special occasion for a Cancer Council fundraiser, with sheep racing, a big breakfast and other activities.
"Well done to all the Toora crew for organising the day," Davies said. "On field, it's a massive game. Since we played them last, Toora have been one of the form teams of the comp. Their deck is always a bit heavier and the wind plays a factor, so she'll be game on with plenty to play for, for both teams."
Foster always has a healthy respect for their opposition. They will need to maintain that against a side that is and has been in the groove for a number of weeks.
Byes: Fish Creek, Newborough and Stony Creek.