by Rob Popplestone
The MGFNL will feature some crucial clashes in round 16 just weeks out from 2025 finals.
Hill End v Tarwin
A now confident Hill End will host a desperate Sharks on Saturday, with more riding on the end result for the visitors.
Tarwin coach Lachie Jones said Hill End had won a couple of games and, at home, "they'll prove no easy opponent".
"Destiny is probably out of our own hands now, so we'll just have to try and get a win on the board," Jones said.
That is probably the start and end of it for Tarwin. Anything but a win will kill off their season you would think. But, the biggest mistake they might make is to turn up just expecting the result to happen given their opponents are near the bottom of the ladder.
With two wins in a row, Hill End are starting to salvage something of their season. And, the chance of making it three in a row remains a real possibility.
"Everything is just starting to click," Hill End coach Adrian Burns said. "We are playing some of our younger kids and getting games into them. We have no real injuries and now we just need to really focus on Tarwin this week."
That second win has them off the bottom of the ladder. A third win in a row would likely insure they stay off the bottom; a result that just a month ago seemed unlikely.
Boolarra v Toora
Boolarra are coming off two wins in succession but must make it three to have any chance of staying in touch with the top six.
The Demons currently sit in 10th spot but are just one game from being a finals threat.
"With our eyes fixed firmly on a rematch with Toora, the motivation will be at an all time high this week as we look to redeem ourselves against a side who knocked us off with virtually the last kick of the game just a few weeks ago," Boolarra coach Brendan Mason said.
Their opponents find themselves in very much the same boat as the Dees, just a win out of the top six. But, unlike Boolarra, they are coming off a big loss.
"Foster certainly came to play and unfortunately we were well off the pace early," Toora coach Jay Accardi said. "We got shown what good sides do to you when you are not up for the challenge."
"To the boys' credit, we didn't shy away from the challenge and had a real crack in the second half," Accardi added.
Ahead of heading off to Boolarra, he expects another tough encounter against a side "we seemed pretty evenly matched against a few weeks ago".
Make no mistake, this is absolutely "D" day for both sides. Only the winner can continue to dream.
Foster v Morwell East
On form, there is nothing to indicate Morwell East has any chance of defeating Foster this weekend.
The Tigers are a tough proposition at any venue, let alone on their home deck. It seems, as each week passes, they are doing everything to be perfectly prepared for the upcoming finals.
Foster coach Sam Davies said if Max Jacobsen and Brad Kimberley play then they're a completely different team, "so we'll plan for them and expect a really tough, hard contest".
"We want to be playing a really good style of football at this time of year, so we'll be working hard to achieve that," Davies added.
If your personnel are fit and ready to go and your ball movement is as it should be, that's the most you can hope for. Meanwhile, over at the Hawks, the season went from bad to worse in the last seven days after falling to last position on the ladder.
"Hill End won, so that leaves us holding up the bottom of the ladder," Morwell East coach Paul Henry said. "This weekend it's top verses bottom when we're away to Foster. Doesn't get easier."
The fact is, it probably doesn't get any harder either. The best the Hawks can do is keep the loss to a manageable one from which to draw some positives.
Newborough v Fish Creek
Two sides coming off a bye, the Bulldogs will host the reigning premiers. They are under no illusions as to how the tough the task will be to secure the premiership points.
"There's not many tougher challenges than facing a Fish Creek team heading into the pointy end of the season," Newborough coach Pat Frendo said.
"We're looking forward to seeing how we shape up against one of the premier sides," Frendo said. "We managed to stay with them for three quarters last time before they ran over the top of us. A strong start will be a big factor for either team as we're both coming off a bye."
For Newborough, it is a must win. For the Kangaroos, a win would be nice, but making sure the playing group remains healthy and game style starts to reach the next level are also important.
"Last week was a great weekend for us to have off and recharge the batteries for what will hopefully be a big couple of months to come," Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker said.
"An interesting contest against Newborough with their season alive and the chance of finals for the taking," Walker added. "They'll also be refreshed and a couple of good wins pre-bye will have them full of confidence. For us, it's about continuing to iron out a couple of deficiencies and keep building towards finals."
Fish Creek are well and truly going to be part of the finals action. For Newborough, chances rely on a positive result this weekend.
Stony Creek v Mirboo North
Refreshed and ready to go, Stony Creek will be desperately trying to salvage something from their season and wanting to point out a late season surge for any potential targeted recruits.
However, their opponents cannot afford to drop this one. To do so would almost certainly end their finals hopes.
"We have to knuckle down now," Mirboo North coach Damien Turner said. "More than ever, it's do or die from here on in."
"Down to the Stony Creek Racecourse this weekend," Turner added. "They have had a freshen up with the bye, and down there is never an easy task. We regroup, sharpen up and must bounce back."
The Tigers dropped an unexpected one to Hill End last week, and no doubt will be ready to bounce back strong against a side who are wanting to kill their season off.
Stony Creek coach Troy Shepherdson said the well-needed bye had his team keen to tackle the last three games and "grab some reward for all the hard work done through the year".
"With so many close losses, we are looking to finish the year strong," Shepherdson said. "And that starts this week, getting Mirboo at home."
The Lions have shown they are capable of running with most sides in the competition, while Mirboo North, who likewise have proven the same, will also fully understand that they would not deserve finals action if they can't get over Stony Creek this weekend.
Bye: MDU, Thorpdale and Yinnar.