by Rob Popplestone
And, just like that, we're into the second half of the Mid Gippsland Football Netball League season on Saturday.
How the league's top six may look in a couple of months is still a long way from being clear, with 11 of the 13 teams believing they will earn a finals spot.
Yinnar v Hill End
Yinnar coach Daniel Taylor might still be scratching his head after his Magpies suffered the most surprising of defeats to Mirboo North last weekend.
Just how the reigning premiers respond to that loss is sure to tell us a lot about what they offer in the second half of this season and beyond.
One suspects that Hill End will pay the biggest price for that question.
"Last week we got outplayed and outworked for much of the game, which was disappointing." Taylor said. "Now it's Hill End this week, and it's another challenge that we're looking forward to."
"They seem to be improving every week, so we can't afford to take them lightly," he added.
The Rovers could probably think of better things to do than travelling to Yinnar to take on the reigning premiers on the rebound.
Hill End coach Mike Santo said his team faces "a big test".
"Last week we gave ourselves a chance to win at three quarter time," Santo said. "But Boolarra's best players really stood up when it counted."
I'm backing that a Rovers win is getting close, but it is unlikely to be this week. It will happen and likely have a huge impact on the ladder when it does.
Boolarra v Morwell East
Last week saw Boolarra win one they could easily have lost and Morwell East lose one they could easily have won.
Both scenarios now set up an intriguing clash between 10th placed Boolarra and Morwell East who sit in eighth.
The Demons are starting to play like they believe, the Hawks need a win to believe, and both coaches will undoubtedly push all their chips in.
"We claimed the four points last week, but it is another big game in Morwell East this week, and that will sort out where we are," Boolarra coach Tony Giardina said.
A win keeps the Demons in touch but a loss has them starting to drift from the coveted top six.
For the Hawks, a win could have them rising as many as two or three spots on the ladder but a loss has them dropping a position or even two.
"Last week was a devastating loss for us and now we have Boolarra away this week," Morwell East coach Paul Henry said. "It is an absolute must-win for us."
Both teams have shown they are capable of winning this encounter, and therein lies the challenge for both.
Who is going to step to the plate and take charge of what is essentially a finals game in June?
Fish Creek v Mirboo North
They say a week is a long time in football.
That week has meant the world to Mirboo North, the Tigers pulling off one of the shocks of the season when they knocked off the reigning premiers.
It raised the eyebrows of most league coaches and has the Kangaroos unsure of what they might expect this weekend off the bye.
Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker said it was a nice weekend to have a week off and freshen up.
"It will be a big game again this week against Mirboo North, coming off a good win," Walker said. "With the ladder being so close, you just can't afford to take any games lightly."
The Tigers' victory over the Magpies will have them travelling to the home ground of the Kangaroos with a certain degree of confidence.
It will also be an opportunity to show last week's win wasn't just a "flash in the pan", and they are ready to rise to something like their best.
"Last week, the playing group bounced back after a great week on the training track," Mirboo North coach Peter Mongta said. "They will be fresh and ready to go."
This writer hasn't done the statistics on how teams fare coming off a bye. However, Fish Creek's form prior to the break was extremely good and in prime position to put a stop to the Tigers' run.
Newborough v MDU
As good as the Bulldogs were in their defeat of an improving Thorpdale last week, you suspect an even greater challenge awaits.
The unbeaten Newborough will host a most impressive MDU this weekend.
The Demons are one of those teams that just go about their business doing what needs to be done, with little fuss or fanfare. Halfway into the season, they sit second on the ladder. How did that happen?
MDU coach Nathan Allen simply said "we are really looking forward to seeing how we stack up against them".
The Bulldogs are both the measuring stick of the competition, and the hunted. But being hunted doesn't faze coach Craig Skinner who sees the challenge as one that can bring the best out in his side.
"Looking forward to playing MDU Saturday," Skinner said. "They are another big improver and I know it will be another close one, and that's the strength of the competition."
Isn't that the truth. The Bulldogs deservingly sit atop the ladder but below is a pack of more than five clubs all trying to take their scalp.
Stony Creek v Foster
Football can be the cruellest of games.
Stony Creek have felt that more than most over the past month, losing by margins of 21, a single point and 24 in winnable games.
Now Chris Verboon's men are under pressure and facing one of the league's powerhouses all in the same week.
"Foster this week will be another big challenge at home," Verboon said. "They are coming off a big win against Toora, and no doubt they will be hard to beat."
The Tigers have always been good. They are getting better and, pleasingly for coach Sam Davies, starting to share the load.
"Last week, we had 11 or 12 different goal kickers and were ruthless," Davies said. "It was something we haven't been for a long time."
Foster, sitting in fourth, might be a bridge too far for Stony Creek.
However, if the Kangaroos are going to start an unlikely charge up the ladder, it will require an unlikely victory this weekend.
Toora v Tarwin
As tough as it has been for Toora, you would not expect this weekend to be any less challenging for the Magpies.
They welcome a Tarwin side seemingly starting to gather some momentum into their season.
The Sharks have found ways to win, despite some frustrations that will remain a "secret" at this stage. But, it's fair to say, if "things" start to go the visitors' way, you might also see the sort of football that was a signature of their 2022 season.
That prospect is sure to have teams currently above them worried about being able to keep their spots.
"This week we have Toora at Toora, and it's never easy going down there," Tarwin coach Troy Hemming said.
Acknowledging he has huge respect for Toora coach Jack Weston, Hemming said "we need to keep our momentum".
That momentum is sure to cause massive problems for the Magies, even on their home ground.
As much as Toora can produce patches, and even quarters, of good football, it will take the full four for them to provide a scare to the visiting Sharks.
"Tarwin this week will provide a difficult challenge," Weston said. "They are a side that's great at the contest and well structured behind the ball."
Stranger things have happened in football than Toora claiming victory. But, at the moment, I just can't think of one...hang on Mirboo North beat Yinnar only last week!
Bye: Thorpdale