Thorpdale host Hill End in local Mid Gippsland clash

by Rob Popplestone
The unanimous feeling amongst Mid Gippsland football coaches was that the King's Birthday weekend bye was a terrific opportunity for all clubs, players and volunteers to have a well-earned mid-season rest ahead of a demanding second half of the season.
With so many scores to be settled, so many stories to be told and so many finals positions yet to be determined, there promises to be even more twists and turns to the 2024 MGFNL story, starting with the conclusion of round nine on Saturday.
Thorpdale v Hill End
Thorpdale has not had the best of luck this season. Make no mistake, as hard as coaches train their players, study their opposition and spend countless hours thinking about where improvements might be made, luck can still make or break a season.
Injuries and unavailability have been a problem for the Blues. But, also provided opportunity.
"We are exposing some players to senior football which will benefit the squad in the long term," Thorpdale coach Jason Winderlich said. "If I was Gippsland Power, I would be asking young Luke Cheffers to come and play a few games."
Young Cheffers is just one shining light from Thorpdale which has been producing many, most of whom will be expected to shine against Hill End this weekend.
The Rovers have been running thin, personnel wise, for most of the year. But, they are slowly starting to take shape.
"We should have close to a full-strength side back in after the break," Hill End coach Ambu Uliando said. "Look forward to playing a tough Thorpdale side."
The home side will have the edge, no doubt, but you get the feeling that Thorpdale is planning to be close to their very best towards the end of the home and away season.
Mirboo North v Morwell East
As good as it was for Mirboo North to secure their first win of the season prior to the bye, the Tigers will be under no illusions as to what will be required to go back-to-back against a talented Morwell East side.
The Hawks have actually been handed a two week break, compliments of a bye before the King's Birthday weekend. So, as good as the home side might feel, the visitors will probably be feeling even better.
"It was nice to get back on the winners' list before the bye," Morwell East coach Paul Henry said. "Bit of a freshen up before a tough middle part of the season, starting with Mirboo North."
The Tigers' only win of the year may only have been against the still winless Hill End, but a win is a win and they all pay four premiership points.
"Very proud of our boys, we stuck at it, and it was really pleasing that some of our young brigade stood up in the last quarter when we needed someone," Mirboo North coach Damian Turner said. "We looked forward to the King's Birthday bye, but now we have the tough task of Morwell East at home this week. We will be freshened up and take some new confidence into this game."
The Hawks are very much in contention for a coveted top two spot but have to keep their very high standard given the even competition.
Their trip to the home ground of Mirboo North is one the Hawks would have pencilled in as a win.
Toora v Foster
Toora jumped out of the blocks just a fortnight ago and looked on track to upset the more favoured Boolarra, only to be run down comfortably in the second half.
You wouldn't expect the challenge to be any less when they host Foster this weekend.
"The long weekend came at a good time after a long stint playing," Toora coach Jack Weston said. "We were looking forward to a freshen up and now comes the challenge of Foster in the first edition of the Toner/Hoppner Cup."
Any silverware is always welcome in a trophy cabinet. In a season that is still one of progression for the Magpies, the Toner/Hoppner Cup will be a rare chance for the home side to get their hands on it this weekend. All they have to do is get the better of an in-form Foster side, who are coming off an impressive victory over Stony Creek.
"It was a strong win, we played 30 minutes of really good footy then struggled a bit with skill execution and fundamentals," Foster coach Sam Davies said. "Plenty to work on."
That work will continue as winter now engulfs the season and provides yet another challenge for clubs.
Newborough v Boolarra
Boolarra performed a "Harry Houdini" before the bye, escaping from a Toora side that appeared to have them over a barrel.
The win was much needed and has the Demons just one game outside of the top six, that sixth position being currently held by the Bulldogs.
"We now turn our attention onto Newborough after a much needed rest," Boolarra coach Brendan Mason said. "The last time we were there, it was a dark day for the club. So we will be eager to try and make amends."
Newborough can do that to the sides at The Kennel, and their seven-point loss to MDU will have the home side frothing at the mouth to quickly bounce back.
"Critical free kicks in front of goal denied us the win, and the weekend off couldn't come quick enough before we get ready for Boolarra," Newborough coach Craig Skinner said.
This could quickly get ugly for the visitors unless they are prepared for a fierce first quarter. If the Demons can hang tough up until half-time, they will no doubt give themselves a chance.
Tarwin v Yinnar
A side could not have been any more disappointed with their performance than what Tarwin were in round eight.
The Sharks, who have been so good and so competitive for the first part of the season, were given a footballing lesson of close to 100 points by reigning premiers Fish Creek.
"We definitely didn't come to play at all," Tarwin coach Jason Kennedy reflected. "It's been a big stretch of competitive football for us, and we have had plenty of new faces and haven't had the consistency of personnel we would like."
"But, now with a week off, we can reset and look to some improvement in the back half of the season," Kennedy added.
The Sharks now face yet another of the league heavyweights in Yinnar.
The Magpies, themselves, are in rare form, with a really nice blend of talent and experience.
"We were looking forward to last week's weekend off," Yinnar coach Sam McCulloch said. "It was a good opportunity to freshen up and sharpen up our game ahead of this week's big contest against Tarwin on their home deck."
Tarwin, like a couple of others, remain just one game from the league's top six. A loss again this week will turn up the pressure as we start on the back half of the home and away season.
Byes: Stony Creek, Fish Creek and MDU.