by Rob Popplestone
The race for finals will heat up in round 13 of Mid Gippsland football on Saturday.
Tarwin v Thorpdale
Tarwin went close last week. But, close is never good enough for Sharks coach Troy Hemming given the tightness of the competition.
Hemming is aware how every single result, every single week, can have a enormous impact on the possibilities that lay ahead. And, that starts with their clash with Thorpdale on Saturday.
"We get to face Thorpy now and they have great spirit," Hemming said. "It is our last home game 'til the last round, so we want to make it a big one."
The Sharks' loss to Newborough last week saw them drop from second to fifth - and that's the exact position Thorpdale are after.
The Blues sit just one game behind the Sharks and, if they can manage to do the job, that position will be theirs.
Thorpdale coach Jason Winderlich is readying his team to face another premiership contender.
"Troy has got them peaking at the right time this year," Winderlich said. "So, on their home deck, this will be one of our biggest challenges for the season."
No side, especially as this stage of a close season, wants to or can afford to drop two games in a row. However, that's exactly what awaits one of these two teams this weekend.
Boolarra v Newborough
Two of the more experienced coaches will face off in what will be a terrific contest on Boolarra's home ground.
After 20 years of coaching, the Demons' Tony Giardina has announced this season will be his last. Despite plenty of memorable moments and even premiership success, he will be after a couple more moments before the curtain falls on what has been a coaching career to be proud of.
Whether one more moment will be this weekend is hard to imagine, given the form of the top of the table Newborough side and the Demons' disappointing performance just seven days ago.
"Last week we didn't turn up to play early and Stony Creek made us look stupid, keeping us goalless for the first half," Giardina reflected.
Newborough coach Craig Skinner is a decent sort of bloke, but I wouldn't be expecting the Bulldogs frontman to be sending Giardina off with a fairytale finish, especially given his side is showing signs he has been searching for.
"I feel we are getting better in the conditions and the pressure levels," Skinner said. "Last week, we were under pressure early, but a reset had us quickly return seven goals and control of the game."
That sort of ability to turn a game on its head in a short period is an invaluable asset. And, to that end, Boolarra will need to be on their game for 100 per cent of the time - 99 per cent just won't cut it.
Foster v MDU
With the pressure on so many sides, it will be interesting to see which "blink" first and which keep a steely resolve on what needs to be done.
MDU sit sixth on the ladder, just one game clear of 10th spot.
It is quite an extraordinary season when one small mistake can cost a club its season. But, that makes winning so much sweeter, and that is what MDU are chasing after a week off.
MDU coach Nathan Allen says the bye was welcome.
"It was a good chance to refresh, recover and hit the ground running heading into the final part of the regular season," Allen said.
Foster is in a fourth and has a small amount of breathing space between themselves and those below them. The Tigers have shown they are the real deal in the past fortnight, with a draw against top side Newborough, followed by an impressive - albeit close - win last week over Thorpdale. But, that in no way guarantees success this week against the Demons.
Foster coach Sam Davies says he was really proud of his group in a hard-fought win.
"We now move on to MDU...fresh off a bye, let's hope big bad Kieran Bohn gets up and plays," Davies said.
A win by Foster will have the Tigers fighting for second spot. With percentage likely playing a part and percentage on their side, they can secure it as long as they finish in front this weekend.
Morwell East v Mirboo North
There is no hiding from the fact this is a final for both the Hawks (placed eighth) and the Tigers (10th).
Both are, unbelievably, just one game shy of the sixth placed MDU. However, a slip up now will surely cost the loser their season. For the winner, a chance to fight another day.
"We love playing at this ground and our boys always have an extra spring in our step," Mirboo North coach Peter Mongta said. "(We) will need to bring our best game to get another win."
The Hawks will have strong home ground support complemented by their many sponsors coming together.
"We were on the wrong side of another close one last week," Morwell East coach Paul Henry said. "It was neck-and-neck before the weather turned, but now our focus is on Mirboo North this week."
Neither side can afford to look any further than this weekend. The Tigers have done it before, launching a late-season assault on the finals. But, their chance to do something similar, will depend on the right result against the Hawks.
With Morwell East also wanting a finals spot to mark 50 years in the MGFNL competition, it all comes down to this for them as well.
Stony Creek v Yinnar
Stony Creek did what they had been promising to do for quite a while last weekend, securing a win against a more fancied opponent.
In doing so, they threw their opposition's hopes of better things into disarray.
The Lions won't be given much of a chance by most MGFNL pundits in this game. However, if the Magpies are just a little off where they need to be, it could spell disaster, something Yinnar are acutely aware of.
"Looking forward to getting over to the racecourse to face Stony Creek this week," Yinnar coach Daniel Taylor said. "They're coming off a good win, so it's a big game for us."
Somehow, Yinnar have crept under the guard of most to sit second on the ladder. Most in Gippsland know that, even with the slightest of chances, they can take control very quickly.
Stony Creek coach Chris Verboon described it as "another tough challenge before we get the week off".
Nothing would be more satisfying for Stony Creek than taking the scalp of another contender in Yinnar. But, they would be under no illusions as to how tough that task will be.
Toora v Fish Creek
Given the exposed form, it is difficult to see Toora upsetting more fancied rivals Fish Creek this weekend.
However, the Kangaroos will be approaching the clash as though it is against one of top of the table teams.
"They usually match up well against us and seem to be able to always put on a tough game at their ground," Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker said.
As good as the Magpies can be against Fish Creek, the result means too much to the Kangaroos for them to drop this one.
But, don't tell that to Toora. Despite rare wins, they still believe they are capable of finding the form required to surprise a few on their run home.
"We keep improving and the more exposure to senior football each player gets, the better off we will be as a club," Toora coach Jack Weston said. "(It) will be another chance to improve and build momentum into a four-week block of footy which we feel are all winnable games."
That sort of positivity is a perfect foundation from which to launch something special, because as they say "whether you think you can, or whether you think you can't, you're probably right".
Bye: Hill End.