Thorpdale's Andrew Irwin attempts to get a kick away from Tarwin tackler Logan Anderson in Saturday's reserves game. Both clubs - in fact, all but two across the league - will have the long weekend off. However, MDU will host Fish Creek at Meeniyan on Saturday.
by Rob Popplestone
Two of Mid Gippsland's best sides will clash in a "standalone" clash on Saturday, with a top spot up for grabs.
Playing in the only game over the King's Birthday weekend, Fish Creek and MDU have an opportunity to secure footing in the top four.
MDU v Fish Creek
This match is the last to be played for round seven, with both clubs seizing the opportunity to have centre stage and the benefits that go along with that.
Interestingly, however, the two sides meet after contrasting fortunes last week. The Kangaroos are coming off a thrilling one-point victory over the previously unbeaten Foster, while MDU are reeling from a surprising loss to Toora.
Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker said "we are expecting a hungry Meeniyan this week".
"They play their ground very well so we will need to be switched on from the start," Walker said.
"Last week was a gritty win for us, a genuine arm wrestle all day with neither team able to kick back-to-back goals," he added. "Both teams defended really well, making (a) low-scoring affair. We just fell on the right side at the final siren."
The reigning premiers might expect much of the same this week, with the Demons keen to shake off the performance against Toora as a blemish that needs to be quickly moved on from and responded to.
MDU coach Rhett Kelly said it was a disappointing day for his side but gave credit to Toora who started the game full of energy and effort as well as maintaining it for four quarters.
"We looked like that, at stages, we were going to get our game going," Kelly said. "But Toora was able to respond at every opportunity and deserved the win."
Looking forward to Fish Creek, he said "I know that the group will want to respond after a poor game".
The Kangaroos, beaten in round one by last year's grand finalists Yinnar, have been in fine form since, taken all before them and will enter the weekend as deserving favourites.
On the other hand, the Demons have shown signs they are capable of mixing with the competition's very best up until last week. The loss to the Magpies has thrown a question mark above their head.
The result on Saturday will answer quite a few queries.
