Foster v Fish Creek
Foster are good, but the question remains, are they better than what many thought?
The Tigers continue to stand up to and stand over the opposition they face from week to week. In round sixteen the Lions roll up to take their turn at upsetting one of the competitions premiership favourites of the MGFNL competition, but it is a challenge that the Tigers have prepared themselves for.
Sam Davies, Foster coach “ We take on a red hot Fish Creek this week who have brought in some players late that add a lot to a very strong midfield group.”
Foster are heavy favourites to win this weekend's match. but make no mistake, Kangaroos coach Jarred Walker is feeling confident after last weeks win over Stony Creek “ A solid performance from us, a bit of an arm wrestle for the first half but then was able to start playing the game on our terms in the second half. All the boys really starting to click together which is great to see”
Jarred Walker “A solid performance from us, a bit of an arm wrestle for the first half but then was able to start playing the game on our terms in the second half. All the boys really starting to click together which is great to see”
Foster are one of a handful of teams fighting for a treasured top three position and the all important double chance come finals, this weekend is a crucial step in achieving that.
MDU v Mirboo North
MDU have earned their current top three position on the MGFNL ladder and it is doubtful whether they have any intention of giving it up in the last three weeks of the home and away competition, but all that said, this week they face a side that may be down on their luck, but they do know that the Demons are beatable.
Peter Mongta, Mirboo North coach “After the bye last week we look towards our next game against MDU who will most likely finish top three….. But we matched them last time and took the four points so it will be good to play them on a dry deck.”
I guess you only need to look at the latest AFL results to know that any team that doesn’t turn up to play is susceptible to defeat, that includes the MGFNL Demons.
Nathan Allen, MDU coach “This week we host Mirboo North. They out worked and out played us early in the season, so we have an opportunity to get one back on them.
Getting one back however is just one part of the goal, a win more importantly will keep Allen’s Demons in third position on the MGFNL ladder, keeping three chasing teams at arms length and having them well placed to secure the double chance come finals time.
Morwell East v Toora
There would be not too many that would not expect Morwell East to just roll up and roll out with the four premiership points this weekend, the Hawks preparing to celebrate with past players, supporters and officials their fifty year association with the MGFNL, but what stands in their way is a Toora side that has recently tasted victory and who is keen to go back to back.
Jack Weston, Toora coach “ Morwell East this week, and with some renewed confidence we’re hopeful of shaking up the finals outlook with two on the bounce! We’ll have to be mindful of not allowing their backs to set them up”
Toora, can breathe a sigh of relief after their win last week over Hill end that basically ensured them of avoiding the 2023 wooden spoon, but the prospect of defeating Morwell East this weekend is a far greater one.
Paul Henry, Morwell East coach “ Our last game was our best start to a game I think we've had but now after a bye last week and a well earned rest we begin preparations for our last three games of the home and away.”
A victory this weekend will mean that their finals destiny starts to become more tangible than ever before, and that should be enough to have the Hawks playing the sort of football that has got them in contention for bigger and better things.
Newborough v Boolarra
With the weight of expectation now off their shoulders, and the chance of finals football now gone, maybe Boolarra can play with a freedom that brings out the sort of football they are capable of, but with all that said, the Demons take on the unbeaten Newborough who most recently performed at their best against Yinnar.
Craig Skinner, Newborough coach “Our best start for the month set up our day against an extremely young and talented opponent.
After the bye last week we then play the opponent from a fortnight ago, Boolarra, but this time at home.”
The Bulldogs home ground can be a tough place to visit when they are going bad let alone when they are humming as they are now, but the visiting Demons have shown they can match it with the best, just not for four quarters.
Tony Giardina, Boolarra coach “ last week again a slow start then the boys got themselves back in the game being competitive against a top side scoreboard didn’t reflect the way we played in the last three quarters with an undermanned side. Next another tough game aga
Newborough are now fine tuning what they have, knowing that as important as winning remains now, there real quest is to be tested in just over a month.
Thorpdale v Stony Creek
Coaches, players and supporters can sometimes reflect back on performances with an admiration that wasn’t possible “in the heat of battle”, but what the Blues are currently building is starting to turn the eyes of every team in the league.
Thorpdale’s demolition of Yinnar just a week ago, one of their more impressive results of many during 2023.
Jason Winderlich, Thorpdale coach “ This week against Stony will be a good contested game back on our home deck. We were lucky to escape with the win in our first encounter. We have some wounded soldiers at the moment so will be without 6-7 of our senior team. With that said, I’m looking forward to training Wednesday night and who wants to step up. Ladder still super tight so we just need to find a way to get four points again.”
The Lions as respectful of Thorpdale as they would be, have proven they too can perform against the top sides of the competition as they have done in recent weeks,
Chris Verboon, Stony Creek coach “Again it shows that our best footy can compete with the top sides. We just can’t get over the line in the close games. The bye last week gave us us a much needed break with a few injuries that we had”
It may well take one of Stony Creek's best performances of the year to push a red hot Thorpdale side, but the Blues wouldn’t have it any other way as they continue to revel in the heat of battle.
BYE:Hill End, Tarwin, Yinnar.
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