by Rob Popplestone
Thorpdale will start deserving favourites against Morwell Club as the club prepares to host a 40-year premiership reunion on Saturday.
Hill End are amongst three clubs to have a bye in round 14 of Mid Gippsland football.
Thorpdale v Morwell East
The Blues host the Hawks in what looms as yet another must-win game for the home side.
Thorpdale saw one get away last week when a number of undisciplined acts opened the door for the opposition.
Thorpdale coach Daniel Taylor summarised it as a "frustrating day".
"Inaccurate kicking and undiscipline play right throughout the day proved to be costly in the end," Taylor said. "After a pretty dominant third quarter, we had our chances early in the last to put it to bed, but didn't convert."
"Full credit to Mirboo North," he added. "They finished off strong and were running on top of the ground to pinch it late."
Looking to this weekend, Taylor said it was "a must-win game".
"It's our 40 year premiership reunion, which was our last senior premiership, so it's a big day for the club," he said. "I'm expecting a big performance from the boys. We need to bounce back if our season is to go anywhere."
This season has already shown that clubs can lift for special occasions such as this is.
They will need to be wary of the visitors who, although battling last week against Newborough, have shown they are capable of surprising opposition when they least expect it.
Morwell East coach Paul Henry said the trip to Newborough proved disappointing.
"Our ability to execute simple skills has been a common factor in our losses this year," Henry said. "It's not at the level it needs to be."
Looking to Thorpdale, Henry said it was a team "we should be able to compete well against".
The Blues will start deserving favourites, with a win keeping their grip on a spot inside the league's top six reasonably tight.
MDU v Newborough
There is even more than a top four spot on the line for the Demons on Saturday.
The home side is also on the hunt to win back some respect from within.
MDU coach Rhett Kelly apologised to supporters who made the trek to attend.
"There's no easy way to say this, but last week's performance was poor and extremely disappointing," Kelly said. "They outworked us for longer and were able to score heavily, and we simply couldn't respond. That was not who we want to be, and we need to be a lot better than what we dished up in that second half."
Looking ahead, he said "the great thing about footy is that we have another chance next week to respond".
"I'll be expecting a huge effort against a team that had us covered in round one," Kelly added.
The visiting Bulldogs will want to impose themselves on this game early, knowing that first quarter pressure could have them rolling on from a really terrific win last week.
"Hoping last week's win builds a bit of confidence heading into this week," Newborough coach Pat Frendo said. "We managed to knock them off in round one, but that seems like an eternity ago and both teams have gone on to have very different seasons since."
Of the campaign ahead, Frendo knows it will be a tough challenge "as our next three opponents are all gunning for a top two spot".
The final five games seem tough for the Bulldogs. But, the reality is, no game is easy and all one can do is focus on the opposition in front of you.
Stony Creek v Boolarra
The Lions need to get back up, dust themselves off and prepare for another tough challenge after being the first victim of the season to Hill End.
Facing Boolarra, Stony Creek coach Troy Shepherdson said injuries were greatly impacting the list and "we are battling the best we can".
"We just need to look to win a few games in the back end of the season, especially when we get a few of these teams we lost close ones to on our home deck," Shepherdson said.
The Lions, like their opponent, have been on the wrong side of far too many close contests. Neither wants to be on the receiving end in round 14.
Boolarra coach Brendan Mason likened last week's game to a "tug of war".
"We witnessed, after 24 minutes gone, a Toora free kick found their gun forward (Leigh) Craig free in the forward 50," Mason said. "When he kicked truly, the home side led by four with that being the ultimate margin in a cracking game of football."
Somehow the Demons will need to lift themselves back up off the turf and be ready to take on a Lions side who, in many ways, find themselves in the exact same predicament. That is, trying desperately to salvage what started as a promising season.
Tarwin v Toora
Five weeks out from finals, this clash looms as every bit finals like.
The opportunity to have a second chance after a loss will be very slight. Whilst for the winner, the hopes of some action when the big boys do battle will remain very much alive.
Toora coach Jai
Jay Accardi said his side stood up when it counted in some big moments during the last quarter, reflecting it was "one that could have gone either way".
"We now head to Tarwin for another massive challenge, one we look forward to," Accardi said.
Toora have come from nowhere over the past six weeks. With many more wins than losses, the Magpies believe that finals could be possible. However, they now face opposition who must win to keep their season alive.
The Sharks, coming off a loss to Fish Creek, will be buoyed by what was a super effort.
Tarwin coach Lachie Jones said "the guys gave effort and we held one another accountable".
"A really pleasing aspect was our second quarter response," Jones added. "We had some of our players do some selfless roles and some things worked, which we will take away as a positive."
Whilst they took the contest up to the Kangaroos, the Sharks did drop away in the last quarter.
"A really big game awaits us in Toora," Jones said. "They have improved as the season has gone along, so we will need to bring our best."
With so much on the line, a loss to either will certainly take the wind from the sails. However, it won't automatically finish their season.
Yinnar v Fish Creek
A lot of water has passed under the bridge since these two teams.
Last year's grand finalists met in round one. On that occasion, it was Yinnar who were the victors by 10 points. However, since that time, Fish Creek has remained unbeaten and loom as a better team than at that time.
Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker said it was a real positive that his side were able to stay in games before having the fitness to lift to another gear in the second half when required.
"Now having played everyone once, it's back to the start, and a tough game against Yinnar," Walker said. "It's getting tight at the top of the ladder, so it will be extremely important to win this one for a bit of breathing space."
"Hopefully, with a couple of handy inclusions that didn't feature the first time around, we will be able to get the win this time," he added.
Yinnar sit in third spot, just a game behind the second placed Kangaroos. It is important to get a second win against the two-time reigning premiers and start to assert some doubt in the mind of the champion team.
The Magpies, before their bye last week, produced the sort of football that will test the visitors.
Yinnar coach Sam McCulloch reported the Magpies got their brand of footy going in the second quarter and continued on in the second half to run the game out well.
"One of the most pleasing aspects was the even contribution from right across the field for all four quarters," McCulloch said.
You would expect somewhat of a game of chess, where both coaches might trial some set plays and positional changes. This may be coupled with testing the opposition in areas of doubt, so that they might be exposed when it really counts.
Bye: Hill End, Foster and Mirboo North.