by Rob Popplestone
Mid Gippsland footy is only one round in and it seems 2024 is destined to deliver everything that last season did, plus a little more.
With close contests already the order of the day, round two promises more intriguing contests.

Toora v Hill End
The Magpies and the Hillsmen have found trouble finding a win in recent seasons, and both will see this weekend as a rare opportunity to do just that.
With home ground advantage, Toora will start favourites. However, they are also aware of the dangers they will face from a team that is desperate to put a win on the board early.
"Hill End at home this week provides a challenge," Toora coach Jack Weston said. "If we can win stoppages and starve their big forwards of quality looks, it will go a long way to us winning the game."
Weston has remained calm and confident in preparation for this season. The club as a whole are very close knit and committed. If somehow the Magpies can gain some winning momentum, it might also fast track the success they desire.
Hill End coach Ambu Uliando said he looked forward to heading to Toora early in the season.
"Last year Toora gave us a touch up at their home ground, so we are eager to turn that around this season," Uliando said.
Hill End showed last week that they can run with a good side for a period of time. However, that effort will be required for a full four quarters if they are going to be a chance to grab the four premiership points.
Thorpdale v Boolarra
The Blues claimed the win by a solitary point in their season opener, but a win is a win.
More importantly, it is the start of a platform on which to build a season.
This weekend it is Boolarra who stands in the way of a Thorpdale side that has its sights set on being a major player in a few months.
Boolarra coach Brendan Mason said the Demons were looking forward to the challenge against the much fancied Thorpdale side.
"Which will give us a chance to see where we are at," Mason said.
Thorpdale are being touted by many as the big improvers for 2024 on the back of some astute recruiting and guidance of experienced duo Jason Winderlich and Ray Pickering.
However, Thorpdale coach Jason Winderlich is expecting a totally different Boolarra this year, with a new coach and some new recruits.
"They are coming off a solid win, so will be bringing plenty of confidence up the hill," Winderlich said. "Will need to be winning the contested footy from the first bounce to give our forwards best opportunity again."
Being tested against the best sides is what all good clubs and good players aspire to. There is little doubt that Thorpdale is a good side full of very good players.
The game will certainly give Mason a better indication of just what his Demons side has and what they might need to find as the season unfolds.
Tarwin v MDU
Tarwin host an MDU side that need to quickly focus on what lies ahead, rather than the devastating one-point loss against Thorpdale.
The Demons face a Sharks side that had the opportunity to watch them from the sidelines, with the home side prepared to apply some early pressure to their visitors.
MDU coach Nathan Allen said Tarwin would be fresh and ready to go for their first game of the season.
"We will need to back up our performance last weekend to ensure we compete again," Allen said.
Tarwin have recruited well in the off-season and, although the Demons will have the benefit of a game already under their belt, the Sharks will be more than ready to throw down the second serious challenge to the visitors in a fortnight.
Tarwin coach Jason Kennedy said his side was excited to get stick into it and start the season strongly.
"We have had a good pre-season and we hope to be much more competitive than last year, when we finished outside of the finals," Kennedy said.
The Demons were impressive in their loss to Thorpdale, but any less effort will have them in deep water very quickly as Tarwin hit the ground running.
Newborough v Yinnar
It might only be the second of the season, but this where seasons are made.
For Yinnar, the opportunity to back up their impressive first round win with another over a real contender will have coach Sam McCullough licking his lips.
McCullough said the Magpies were "looking forward to the challenge of playing one of the premiership contenders in Newborough on their home turf in what will be a great opportunity to gauge where we are at".
Yinnar were good last week but Newborough were also, despite a loss.
Coach Craig Skinner wouldn't concede that but is excited about is the potential he has to work with.
"We played three 17-year-olds and they are going to be good," Skinner said.
Looking to a rival round against Yinnar, Skinner said "we know it will be tough, so there will be no rest recovering and preparing as we search for our first win".
"We will also be wearing our Anzac Day jumpers, which is special," he added. "We are hopeful that we also see a big crowd for our first home game."
As good as the Bulldogs have been in recent years, they are also under no illusions that they need to be better. Whether that's the development of their junior talent, the "real life" match day experience players grow from in close contests, or a mixture of both, it remains to be seen.
One thing you can be sure of, they won't die wondering. Every opportunity will be either taken or created.
Mirboo North v Foster
Round one didn't unfold the way these two Tiger teams would have hoped.
With losses now behind them, this weekend becomes priority number one. Mirboo North will be keen to make life difficult for their visitors from the first bounce under lights in front of an expected strong hometown crowd.
Mirboo North coach Damian Turner thanked Foster for supporting the idea of a night game.
"We can't wait to match up against a strong, proud club on an exciting day for Mirboo North," Turner said.
Players usually respond well to a rare game played under lights. The excitement of a different environment, in front of an enthusiastic crowd sets the scene for an intriguing contest.
Foster coach Sam Davies simply said he was "looking for a response".
The disappointment of a significant loss will not sit well with Davies, and his demand will certainly be answered.
It's only the second round but pressure can quickly builds on those clubs that don't take opportunities.
Stony Creek v Morwell East
The season could not have started any better for these two teams, Morwell East with a surprisingly easy win over Foster and Stony Creek with a comfortable victory over Toora.
The Lions will be looking to back that success with another in front of their home crowd.
Stony Creek coach Chris Verboon said "we will need to be at our best to give ourselves a chance".
The Lions have quietly gone about their business in the off-season, recruiting well and preparing even better. Their first round win would have done them a world of good, but you get the sense that the visiting Hawks will be a far greater challenge.
Morwell East coach Paul Henry said the match-up would be "another physical game".
The Hawks have had to open the 2024 season with two away games. If they can somehow manage to make it two from two, their third round home game might draw some extra supporters through the gate.
Bye: Fish Creek.