by Rob Popplestone
With a little over a handful of home and away games remaining in Mid Gippsland football, the pressure of performing only increases for teams to secure a firm grip on finals.
Toora v Thorpdale
A lot of talk, as it should be, will be about those teams vying for finals contention. But for these two teams, it is all about a win this weekend.
Nothing before and nothing ahead means as much as just having success this week.
Toora have yet to secure a win and Thorpdale have just the one.
That is enough for Toora to believe this is perhaps their best, and maybe even their last, chance of the year to secure four premiership points.
Certainly Toora coach Matthew Ponton believes they are playing well enough.
"We played hard and stayed in the contest all day," Ponton said of their last game. "Good ball movement from back to middle, but lack connection going forward."
Thorpdale also showed in patches on Saturday that they can mix it with the best.
"Like most games, we played some good patches or quarters, but can't sustain the effort," Blues coach Ray Pickering said.
Thorpdale will be hoping for a bigger effort this weekend and won't be accommodating to Toora's desire for a win. The Blues are equally eager for the taste of victory.
Stony Creek v Hill End
As good as Stony Creek has been in recent weeks, they are going to have to be even better this weekend as they take on Hill End.
The Rovers can be as good as any when they are good, but recent weeks have shown some unexpected chinks in the armour. That has seen them somewhat fragile and beatable by sides that might not normally trouble them.
"Our work rate is borderline embarrassing at the moment and something needs to change quickly if we are to play finals," Hill End coach Mike Santo said.
That change needs to be this week, because the reality is another loss to Stony Creek will also mean another drop down the MGFNL ladder to a zone that would have them fighting for their finals lives. It's a far cry from their premiership contention of just a month ago.
On the other hand, Stony Creek seems to be playing with a freedom that has proven successful. But this week they are sure to be tested.
Stony Creek coach Jay Accardi knows his side has plenty to work on before facing another strong opponent in Hill End.
For the Lions, a win would mean a serious look at the top six and potentially even a finals spot. Who would have thought that just a month ago?
Boolarra v Morwell East
The old adage that good sides do not lose two games in a row has never been more relevant than in this week's clash between two finals contenders. Both are coming off most disappointing losses.
Boolara fell agonisingly close to firming up their second position on ladder last week. Their one-point loss to Yinnar saw the Demons fall to third, just a half game in front of this week's opponents in Morwell East.
It's a match you can expect the Demons will be ready for from the first bounce after last week's slow start.
"Very disappointed by the way we turned up to play against a very good side last week," Boolarra coach Tony Giardina said. "They showed us how football should be played. We can't keep giving sides five goals head start and think we are always going to come home and win it."
The Hawks, themselves, have been heartbreakers for coach Devon Soutar, supporters, past players and supporters alike. Their loss at home last week to Foster was a painful watch for supporters, especially given the Hawks were faced with many injuries early.
"A herculean effort," Morwell East coach Devon Soutar said of last week's game. "It's fair to say we had our backs against the wall early against a very good side, losing all our rotations after only 20 minutes".
Behind the scenes, many are working hard to firm up the future direction of the club. Many others are concerned that the focus should be on where they are and what they need to do now, as in this week.
Somehow, the Hawks need to do both.
Foster v Mirboo North
In the space of just 12 months, the "Battle of the Tigers" has gone from headline act to ho-hum.
Foster have continued their improvement at the very same time as Mirboo North have fallen far below their own expectations.
For Foster, the possibilities are many and all within their own grasp. For Mirboo North, the biggest job for young playing coach Josh Taylor is keeping his players motivated with many weeks to go before season's end.
Foster are the deserving warm favourites, but coach Sam Davies has been around long enough to know these exact games can blow up in your face if you're not ready.
"The Battle of the Tigers this week, and Josh (Taylor) will have his crew eager to win, I'm sure," Davies said.
Mirboo certainly remain keen to win, but with their finals hopes shot, priorities do change.
"Our season is nearly done on making finals, so we might see some different players through the side over the next few weeks," Mirboo North coach Josh Taylor said.
It's amazing how a side's fortunes can quickly change with the pressure lifted and some new faces thrown in the mix.
MDU v Tarwin
There haven't been too many teams able to walk away from a Tarwin clash with the premiership points this season.
In fact, MDU will be planning to be just the second this weekend when they host the Sharks on their home ground.
The Demons might not be considering finals but, after a week off, they do have plans to unsettle a few opposition clubs in the upcoming weeks.
MDU coach Peter Harris said his players had looked forward to their bye to fresh up before taking on Tarwin.
The Sharks have been challenged many times this season, and have almost always found a way to win.
The challenge for coach Troy Hemming is to keep his players continually motivated.
"This time of the year is always dangerous," Hemming said. "This week MDU at Meeniyan, where they have caused some damage and challenged some teams. It's the only team we haven't played, so that's exciting."
MDU are primed for a fast start. If they can achieve that, the Demons may well provide another challenge for a very good MGFNL side in Tarwin.
Newborough v Yinnar
The "back to basics" approach by Newborough last week was enough for the Bulldogs to get back into the winning zone.
They produced the sort of football that will lay the foundation for better opposition teams ahead.
One of those teams is, without question, this week's opponent Yinnar. The Magpies are seen by a few as a sleeping giant capable of taking all before them on their day. The question is, will this Saturday be their day?
Certainly Daniel Taylor was buoyed by what he saw in their first half effort against Boolarra.
"The win was set up by a super first half by the boys," Taylor said. "We brought the heat early and our centre clearance work and pressure didn't allow Boolarra to get their game going."
You would expect it will be needed again this week, and for more than a half of footy.
"The wheel turns quickly, and we head into a block of finals defining games starting with Yinnar," Newborough coach Craig Skinner said. "(Yinnar) have top end talent on every line and a swagger in their step after beating Boolarra."
This clash is worthy of a healthy crowd, and you would expect exactly that at the kennel this weekend.
BYE: Fish Creek