by Rob Popplestone
The round 18 clash between Thorpdale and Morwell East holds intrigue for its repercussions on the top six and finals action in Mid Gippsland footy.
Thorpdale v Morwell East
There is every chance that these two teams may also meet in the very first week of the finals.
It is an interesting twist, but winning this weekend and bringing that form into a game with no second chances the following week is crucial.
You can bet that both of these finals aspirants will be bringing their best come Saturday.
Thorpdale coach Jason Winderlich said it was good for the Blues to have some tough footy before last weekend's bye.
"With players missing, it was great to see some of the young guys step up," Winderlich said. "Lots of sore bodies this time of year, so the break has come at a good time for the group."
He said they were looking forward to playing Morwell East.
Along with Newborough and Fish Creek, they are one of the form teams of the competition," he added. "They will be determined to lock in their finals position, like us, so it is the perfect game for both teams."
Both coaches are acutely aware of what a result means. To that end, we are likely to see a "finals-like" clash on the weekend.
"Another away game this week against the highly regarded Thorpdale," Morwell East coach Paul Henry said. "We win that and we cement a spot in the finals."
With Morwell East flagging their desire for a shift to the North Gippsland Football Netball League (NGFNL), this might well be their last opportunity to have an impact in the MGFNL. They would rather that than to leave the competition as just a middle of the road club.
Hill End v Mirboo North
Last week was too bad to be true for both these sides, with each on the receiving end of massive losses.
It was the stuff of nightmares, with Hill End losing by 192 points and Mirboo North by 79 points.
The side that wakes up and gets into gear first this weekend, might just find the required confidence to secure a much-needed victory to finish off their season.
It will be Mike Santo's final game as coach of the home side. Given the Hillsmen are yet to register a win this season, this will also be their last chance to give him something to remember his time at Hill End.
Last week against the top side, the Rovers played some good football. But, against a side like Newborough, the game can quickly slip away.
"We fought out until the final siren, which I'm proud of," Santo said. "But, we weren't anywhere near good enough."
The Tigers have been well short of their very best, with a significant number of injuries being a major problem for most of the year.
There is no doubt Mirboo will be after a rare win this weekend.
"Our focus will be to finish the right way as a club," coach Peter Mongta said.
With no hope of finals for either side, having a victory to hang your hat on still remains important.
There is sure to be players appearing in their last game for clubs as well. That alone is reason for players to find something a little extra.
Fish Creek v Yinnar
Having wobbled to the finish line, there is a real fear Yinnar may fall at the very last hurdle.
The challenge of an in-form Kangaroos side, at least on the surface, looks beyond them in their current form.However, only a win this weekend - and a loss by Morwell East to Thorpdale - will have the Magpies placed inside the top six, a position they have held for all but the last week of the home and away season."Fish Creek this week is going to be a tough ask," Yinnar coach Daniel Taylor said. "We just need to find a way to win to hopefully sneak into the finals."
At the moment, the reigning premiers are under enormous pressure to keep themselves in a position to defend their title.
It appears they might not get the chance if results go the way as expected.
The only way to ensure they are part of the action is to win. At the end of the day, that is the only thing they can control.
Mind you, the in-form Fish Creek will have something to say about that.
"This week against Yinnar will be a great opportunity to polish up a few areas of our game coming into a tough finals series," Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker said.
That is the difference that might provide opportunity for Magpies. They are fighting for their lives whilst Fish Creek just want some "tweaking" in preparation for a finals campaign in which they are expected to be a major player.
Foster v Stony Creek
This game should be all about fine-tuning prior to the finals for Foster.
However, worse case scenario is the Tigers lose while the two teams below them - Morwell East and Yinnar - claim victories. This scenario would have their spot in the six coming down to percentage.
That thought alone should have the home side ready to play like it is finals time already.
"Our seasons still alive, it's our final home game against Stony this week," Foster coach Sam Davies said. "We will enjoy celebrating the seasons of our resilient reserves and netballers in their final games."
The Tigers are very much a contender at senior level. In such an even competition, if you're alive, you're a chance. This weekend will give them that chance.
Stony Creek coach Chris Verboon said Foster were still fighting for finals and expects "them to come out strong".
Stony Creek have let too many close games slip through their fingers this season. If given the chance to claim a victory against Foster in what is tipped to be another nail biting clash, the Lions are likely to be well versed in what to and not to do.
Although a victory would be a nice way for Stony Creek to finish, it would spell disaster for Foster.
MDU v Toora
MDU at home will be too big a mountain for Toora to climb.
However, the match is as important for the Demons as any other. It will be the last chance for players to impress and the coach to identify any areas needing attention prior to a final that will offer no second chances.
"Last week we had the bye," MDU coach Nathan Allen said. "It was a good chance for our guys to freshen up. Hopefully, we have a near fully healthy list to pick from heading into the last round and finals."
The Demons should be winning this game - and doing it comfortably. But, coaches are caught between wanting their side to improve and fine-tuning everything ahead of finals along with getting through the game injury free.
Toora might not be playing a part of finals at senior level. However, the Magpies do have a strong reserves side that are well positioned to defend their 2022 premiership.
Toora coach Jack Weston said they had looked forward to last week's bye to freshen up heading into the game with Meeniyan.
The Demons sit third on the reserves ladder and the Magpies fourth. However, MDU could claim second spot if they can get over Toora, which would give them the first week off in finals.
So there is every reason to get to the MDU ground early this weekend.
Tarwin v Newborough
It is mathematically possible for Tarwin to make the finals.
Rather than bore you with the number of things that would need to happen for the Sharks to steal a spot, it is probably easier to say it is close enough to impossible.Step one would require Tarwin to beat the previously unbeaten Newborough. Given the Bulldogs are in hot form, you would think that is where it starts and stops.
However, Tarwin coach Troy Hemming said "win, we get a chance to play finals".
"Will Skinner be thinking about the next month?" asked Hemming. "Or will he want to make sure we don't make it? Time will tell."
Make no mistake, Newborough have had one eye on the final game of the season from the start of pre-season. They know all of what they have to do to get there, and find themselves exactly where they planned. Will they be keen to be at their very best this weekend or looking to the weeks ahead?
"Last week, apart from the scoreboard, it was another win to finish the game with no additions to the injury list," Newborough coach Craig Skinner.
If the Bulldogs were to show up on the Tarwin's home deck and not be ready to play, there is little doubt the Sharks will be ready to attack.
But, even that would jolt the Newborough side into action. When they are in action, they are very good to watch.
Bye: Boolarra.