by Rob Popplestone

As it hits the halfway mark of the MGFNL season, at least 11 of the 13 clubs remain very much alive in the senior football premiership race.

Toora, in 11th place, are just two games from fourth placed MDU.
In short, the second half of 2025 looks set for a thrilling finish.
Yinnar v Thorpdale
Yinnar anticipated a ferocious Thorpdale side to arrive at their home ground and were prepared for such.
The Blues have always been a side that can mix it with the best. The Magpies did the job, 18-8-116 to 14-11-95. It wasn't easy, but it was never going to be.
Yinnar coach Sam McCulloch was pleased to come away with a win.
"It was a game in which there were plenty of momentum shifts throughout the day. We were able to establish a good buffer in the second half and hang on to a good win.
"It was a mature performance from the group and I was proud of the way we steadied when challenged late in the game," he said.
Maturity at the right time is actually an important ingredient outside of the skills and strategies of the game.
Thorpdale certainly learnt that on the weekend.
Thorpdale coach Daniel Taylor said he couldn't question his team's effort.
"Some undisciplined acts throughout the first half and some costly skill errors after halftime and we found ourselves six goals down midway through the third," Taylor said. "We showed a bit of ticker to get the game back to single digits before Yinnar kicked a few late."
"Disappointed to lose but I'm really proud of our effort right across the board," he said. "Saturday's game should give the boys confidence that if we can bring that effort every week and we can get somewhere near full strength, we'll be right in the mix."
Now the Blue boys go from last year's runners up to meeting the two time reigning premiers in Fish Creek, yet another massive challenge.
Tarwin v Hill End
It was Tarwin's turn to take on a valiant but to date unsuccessful Hill End side.
The Sharks could ill afford to cough up this game given the tightness of the competition.
The Rovers did what they do - they fight hard, they are genuine, but they just cannot find the finish line first. Tarwin won 19-13-127 to Hill End 7-10-52.
Tarwin coach Lachie Jones said it was a solid effort and three consecutive wins.
"We started the game well and were able to win that vital arm wrestle in the midfield. We were able to have all of our players contribute and play their role which is pleasing," he said.
The Sharks killed the Hillsmen's hopes early. A four-goal lead at quarter time quickly turned into eight goals at the main break, and the game was pretty much over.
Hill End coach Adrian Burns said they showed patches in the first quarter and even outscored Tarwin in the last quarter - "but the damage was done".
"We had a handful of players out, so we are getting a look at some new faces, we all just need to remain patient," Burns said.
Tarwin now march forward with finals hopes very much alive in their eyes, as the Rovers hang tough hoping the improvements start to be rewarded with a victory.
Fish Creek v Newborough
Top of the table Fish Creek remain well placed for their "threepeat" attempt.
Although desperate to continue their assault on a top six position, it was a bridge too far for the Bulldogs, the Kangaroos winning 13-16-94 to 6-6-42.
The Bulldogs jumped out of the blocks early to lead by four points at the first break.
Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker said his team looked threatening in the first quarter but, to Newborough's credit they were able to get some momentum back and control the footy for a good portion of the first half.
"We swung the magnets around a bit at half time to try to get some more guys into the game, which had a bit of an effect on the third quarter," Walker said. "It was then pleasing in the last quarter for the guys to stick to the task and finish the game off strongly."
Although Fish Creek assumed control in the second half, the reigning premiers found it tough to shake the Bulldogs.
Newborough coach Pat Frendo said it was a hard fought loss against a class opponent.
"We managed to stay within three goals for the first three quarters before ultimately running out of legs in the last," Frendo said.
Foster v Toora
A one-point loss before the bye had Foster hungry and ready to bounce back against Toora, who provided the shock of the season by upsetting MDU.
The question was, could the Magpies do it against an even better credentialed side in the Tigers? The answer was a big win by a Tigers outfit who showed little mercy, 22-16-148 to 8-6-54.
Foster coach Sam Davies said they were back to their best for a majority of the game.
"We had a lot of winners all over the ground and capitalised on front half turnover throughout the day," he said.
The Magpies fought valiantly on field as they battled to get fit players on the park.
Toora coach Jay Accardi said Foster was a well drilled team and "far too good for us on the day."
"We were out worked, out played and out coached," he added.
MDU v Stony Creek
On the ropes and needing desperately to respond, MDU provided exactly that. They had the game by the throat early and securing victory early - 15-17-107 to 10-2-62.
MDU coach Rhett Kelly said it was great to see the team respond so strongly after a couple of tough losses.
"The energy and effort were there right from the start," Kelly said. "Stony Creek really challenged us at a few stages of the game and looked like they might gain the upper hand. But to our boys' credit, they worked hard to win back the momentum each time."
Stony Creek coach Troy Shepherdson said they played a well drilled MDU, who showed why they are near the top of the ladder.
Morwell East v Mirboo North
As important as winning was, showing fight might have been enough to satisfy the Hawks faithful when they took a Tigers outfit inside the six.
The result was an upset as the home side finally found form, winning 11-4-70 to 6-7-43.
Morwell East coach Paul Henry said it was great to be back on the winners' list.
"We will enjoy the win and the celebrations to follow," Henry said.
The news was not so good for Mirboo North who would have thought they could bank the points in this one.
After leading at the first break, the visitors couldn't string any serious passages of play together.
Mirboo North coach Damien Turner was disappointed, stating "we couldn't get our game going and kept allowing East to play their physical strengths".
Bye: Boolarra