by Rob Popplestone
Finals might still be a month or so away but Mid Gippsland Football sides are still hard at work.
For those destined to be part of the business end of the season, fine tuning what they intend to deliver is what the immediate future holds. For others, it may be a mixture of small wins along the way, of developing young talent and maybe even starting to look at what is needed for 2023.
Hill End v MDU
Sometimes a win is a win. You take it, move on and keep believing that the best is yet to come.
That's exactly where Hill End sits at the moment. The Rovers are not playing at their best, but still winning enough to have them placed where they need to be.
That being said, the Hillsmen have some work ahead to ensure they give themselves the best possible chance to threaten at finals time. And, that means getting over the top of a dangerous MDU this week.
"Our best footy is good enough to beat anyone, and we've proven that with Tarwin the only team that really outplayed us for the majority of a game," Hill End coach Mike Santo said. "But we are still in a fight to make finals. More so with weddings, events and availability of players over the coming weeks being our real issue."
It's a coach's nightmare having players getting married during the season, going on holidays or attending events.
As weird as that sounds, anybody that has coached will know exactly the frustration one feels! It's especially true when you're set to face yet another dangerous opponent in the Demons.
"We have a massive road trip to Willow Grove this week to take on a side fighting for a finals spot," MDU coach Peter Harris said. "It's important we bring our best to be a chance."
If MDU do bring their best, they are indeed a chance. But beating Hill End on their home deck will require something pretty special.
Boolarra v Thorpdale
Boolarra have been good for most of the year but would concede they still need to be better.
This week is their chance to fine-tune what they already have, improve in areas coach Tony Giardina would have identified, and start to run particular patterns and planned plays that can be executed for the first time in finals.
"Thorpy this week is now a chance to get some more momentum before the bye," Giardina said.
From the bye, you can expect the Demons to hit the last four weeks really hard. With a top two spot still in their sights, Boolarra have reason to do all the hard work required for this reward.
Thorpdale haven't taken a backward step this season. The Blues should be commended for rolling up week to week and delivering their best, even if at this stage it's not quite good enough.
After the disappointment of last week's loss, however, it will be yet another test for the Blues' character in fronting for the fight against a real contender in Boolarra.
Tarwin v Newborough
This is destined to be a mouth-watering clash between two in form sides that are almost certain to meet come finals time.
This poses a dilemma for both teams. How much do you show to your opposition in order to win the game?
Newborough need a win to keep their chance of a top two spot alive. Tarwin could afford to lose, keep their top position and learn a lot about a potential combatant all in one afternoon.
As a result, this clash could be somewhat like a game of chess.
"This week we host Newborough and, after a close encounter last time we played only three weeks ago, we expect a big push to return the favour," Tarwin coach Troy Hamming said. "It's a big game for both teams."
While Tarwin could probably afford to flirt with their form, it's always a dangerous proposition given their form is so good.
Newborough, on the other hand, must win or risk dropping down the ladder.
"We are really looking forward to having another go, another opportunity at the benchmark of the competition," Newborough coach Craig Skinner said. "We have a tough run, but our destiny is in our hands. We just can't afford to take anything for granted."
It is, without question, the match of the round and will give all an indication of the gap, if any, between one and two on the ladder.
Toora v Fish Creek
One in a row. It might not seem like a great winning sequence, but for Toora it means the world.
Their win over Thorpdale last week, their first of the year, was just reward for months of effort.
Now with a spring in their step, the Magpies on their home ground and with some self belief could prove to be a dangerous opponent for a Fish Creek opponent coming off a bye.
"The freshen up has been just what we needed," Fish Creek coach John Danckert said. "We look to finish the year off strong. Toora this week, and they are always a challenge on their home deck. No doubt they will be up and about. We need to be playing our best footy to grab another win."
With a win now under the belt for Toora, the thought of two in a row would be enough to have the Magpies putting up their best.
"What an amazing day for the club to get the monkey off our back and secure our first win," reflected Toora coach Matt Ponton. "We made an emphasis on hitting the scoreboard early and the boys delivered. We controlled the ball for majority of the game."
Confidence is an amazing thing. Whether it's enough to defeat Fish Creek remains to be seen.
Yinnar v Mirboo North
In every season there is a side or two that can look back on a year and ask themselves, what if?
Yinnar look likely to be one of those sides. Their two-point loss to Newborough last week, another close result that didn't go their way, is a match that in reflection might be why they didn't achieve the ladder position to mount a serious assault on a premiership.
This week, brotherly love will be put to one side as Yinnar coach Daniel Taylor intends to show no mercy to brother Josh's Mirboo North.
"Mirboo this week is a game we just can't afford to lose," Daniel Taylor said. "They would have been disappointed with what they dished up against us earlier in the year. They're a proud club and they'll be up for the fight."
For Mirboo North, taking the scalp of a good side like Yinnar, would be a nice win in what has otherwise been a disappointing year.
The Tigers have all but given this season up. But what they are doing is starting to get a head start on planning for a more successful 2023 season.
BYES: Foster, Morwell East and Stony Creek.