by Rob Popplestone
With so much more known about what each of the MGFNL clubs appear to be able to deliver, this weekend loomed as possibly the most anticipated of the year.
The results had a dramatic impact on ladder positions as the halfway mark of the season approaches.
Thorpdale v Hill End
Freshened up after a bye and back on their home deck, the Blues were expected to roll up, grab the win and turn their attention to the next contest.
Their opposition however, as they have done in every clash to date, were keen to throw their very best at the home side and snatch their first win of the season. Unfortunately the Rovers will have to wait a little longer.
Thorpdale 11-21-87 were winners by 49 points over the Rovers 4-14-38.
Thorpdale coach Daniel Taylor said "it was a great day on Saturday with club legend Dan Hammond playing his 400th seniors/reserves game for the club which is a bloody good effort."
"It was great to see the twos boys put in a big performance for Hammo and get their first win of the season.
"In the seniors, it was tricky conditions which meant for some inaccurate goal kicking by both sides. We had the game under control all day, but to Hill End's credit they never went away. Glad to bank the points and get through the game unscathed."
It was a little like "ground hog day" for the Rovers, the visitors doing their best, not embarrassed at all, but still a little way off where they need to be .
Hill End coach Adrian Burns said he couldn't complain about the boy's efforts.
He said they were playing some good footy.
"I asked the boys to hit the scoreboard 20 times, but I would have rather they kicked a few more goals than we did. But we are getting opportunities, we just need to keep on improving."
As tough as the season has been to date, the real challenge starts for coach Burns and his men in winter to hold tough and believe in the long journey they are on.
Fish Creek v Morwell East
A lot was going to be learned about Morwell East as they prepared to take on the reigning premiers on their home ground; one of the toughest challenges in the competition.
The Hawks have appeared to be a shell of their normal selves, but this contest would give coach Paul Henry a look at how his men handle the adversity they are currently going through.
Fish Creek was inaccurate but still comfortable winners, 18-25-133 to 5-3-33.
Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker said it was a solid win. While saying Morwell East had been struck down with a big number of injuries, "credit to them for fighting the game out and hopefully they can get some numbers back soon."
"Still a bit for us to work on with our skills and ball movement a work in progress."
With the Kangaroos still working on improvements, the Hawks will be focused on getting more soldiers on the park, and then on turning their fortunes around after a horror start to the year.
Morwell East coach Paul Henry said "we were undermanned coming into a game you don't want to be undermanned in."
"We battle hard. To be honest, it was seven minutes at the back end of quarters two and four where the heavy scoring was done. Other than that, like I said, we battled hard."
Henry defends his team, as he should, but this Hawks team needs to find something from somewhere, and they need to do it as soon as possible.
On the other hand, Fish Creek are cruising through the season doing what Fish Creek does.