Mid Gippsland FL Round 12 preview

Boolarra will have this game highlighted as one in which they may be able to snatch an unlikely victory with their opponents in Yarragon, only a couple of spots above them on the MGFL ladder.

The Panthers however, are a side that are capable of so much better than their current eighth position, and would be wanting to show exactly the difference between where the Demons sit and where they themselves are.

Yarragon have been slow starters in matches this season and if you recall it was only a fortnight ago that Boolarra held a slender lead over Morwell East at half time.

Only the most brutal of conditions can stop this match from being a one way affair in favour of the home side.

The Bombers are the only team to have dismantled the league leaders in Trafalgar this year and have also consistently shown clean air between themselves and almost every other side.

Hill End it should be remembered, clawed onto Trafalgar just a fortnight ago and refused to let go until the final siren.

The Rovers came up short but it also highlighted how important “effort” is, as an ingredient in potential victory.

Where skills and systems are under pressure due to conditions, the importance of effort is increased, the only issue for the visitors is that Yallourn are also capable of an increase in effort when needed also.

In a year of mainly predictable results, you wonder if any team might be capable of causing an upset that has ramifications beyond the win itself.

If ever a team needed it to happen, it would be Newborough, and it would be this week.

The Bulldogs may have just turned the corner last week, their victory at first glance over Hill End might be dismissed as nothing to get excited about, but it was the response from players that had coach Tom Hallinan excited that his team might understand what is needed every week to not only win games of football, but also to gain competition respect.

Yinnar have managed to continue winning games of football, despite being far from full strength, and should be commended for doing so.

It can ill afford to drop their guard today against a side that it is expected to defeat.

In their first encounter this season, Trafalgar had highlighted this opponent in particular as one they must defeat to lay the foundation for a successful season.

History shows that not only did the Bloods win the initial encounter it also has gone to much bigger and better successes this season.

Trafalgar are a united team, playing with confidence, and executing the game plan of coach Clint Eisendel extremely well on a weekly basis.

Thorpdale, who themselves would be happy with current fourth position on the MGFL ladder this weekend face the first of three very big challenges against opponents all currently competing for a top five spot.

For the Blues to keep a firm grip on a finals campaign, winning two of its next three matches is crucial.

The Tigers came crashing back to earth after their big loss to top of the table Trafalgar at home last week.

Mirboo North simply could not go with the league leaders beyond half time and it now has them under pressure to bounce back with some purpose as they host Morwell East this week.

The Hawks find themselves just half a game outside of the leagues top five, with this weeks opponent the team occupying the spot they want.

There are no more excuses for Morwell East, a near full strength side, and absolutely everything to play for, means that anything below a one hundred per cent effort will not be acceptable by coach Colin King.

Both of these two sides have a healthy sprinkling of talent throughout their senior teams, with the home side likely to have the advantage of a home ground that can provide visitors with a challenge.

Walter J Tuck reserve, is very wide, and on a noticeable slant away from the grandstand side of the ground.

If a team is willing to work hard, real hard, there is plenty of space to be found for a clean passage through to goal.