by Rob Popplestone
A clash between two teams on remarkable winning streaks lived up to expectations in round nine of Mid Gippsland football on Saturday.
Thorpdale v Newborough
These two in-form teams had each other pencilled in the diary for a number of weeks in what felt like a mid-season finals clash.
Thorpdale, at home, had five wins in succession. They welcomed the visiting Bulldogs who sat atop the ladder with seven victories from seven games.
The Bulldogs started well and, despite a mid-game comeback from the Blues, held on to win 11.16-82 to 9.14-68.
Newborough coach Craig Skinner said it was an open game of footy with Thorpdale bringing the contested game style.
He said pressure in front of goal resulted in inaccurate scoring from both sides.
"Josh Monacella owned his wing and Tyler Mander owned the league goal kicker, with (Joel) Mitchell and (Peter) Ainsworth kicking three goals each," Skinner said.
"A four quarter game where both teams had their chances to win, with our boys learning to win the close ones even if it's ugly."
"Thorpdale are going to keep improving leading into finals," Skinner added.
Thorpdale coach Jason Winderlich said it was a great game of footy all day.
"It was a good opportunity for our developing group to test ourselves against the undefeated Dogs," Winderlich said. "Unfortunately, we didn't take our chances in the second half, kicking 2.9 to Newborough 4.4."
"Both teams played well around the contest but there was also some good passages of free flowing play from half-back that resulted in goals," he said.
"We are trying to earn respect back in the competition and I think we took another step in that direction," Winderlich added.
Hill End v Boolarra
Hill End came within a few kicks of a win after a challenging start to the season.
Finding themselves in the undesirable bottom ladder position and wondering when a win can be achievable, the Rovers aimed to jump a Boolarra team which hadn't quite found its mojo.
They very nearly did, scoring 12.10-82 to Boolarra's 15.8-98.
Boolarra coach Tony Giardina said his team had a good start with a strong wind.
"Hill End came back in the second quarter and it became a tough game right to the end," Giardina said.
For the Rovers, it is all about pride and performance, and they certainly showed that.
"A 10-minute burst in the first quarter allowed the Demons to jump us," Hill End coach Mike Santo said. "Although we played well and outscored them for the rest of the match, the damage was done."
"We gave ourselves a chance to win at three quarter time, but their best players really stood up when it counted," Santo added.
The match may just give the squad belief that Santo continues to push.
Foster v Toora
Sixth placed Foster flexed their muscle against 12th placed Toora in a clash between long-standing rivals.
The Tigers sent a message to the league with a 27.21-183 to 3.4-22 victory.
Foster coach Sam Davies was pleased with the performance after "some post-bye rust" in the first 10 minutes.
"To have 11 or 12 different goal kickers and being ruthless was something we haven't been as a group in a long time," Davies said.
Toora coach Jack Weston said it was an extremely tough day against a Foster side stacked with talent.
Weston highlighted Foster youngster Willem Duursma who will "have every AFL recruiter salivating over the next three years".
MDU V Stony Creek
This intriguing clash saw MDU gather further momentum at home.
Despite Stony Creek desperately searching for a much-needed win, the Demons got the better of them, winning 12.9-81 to 8.12-60.
With four wins in a row, MDU coach Nathan Allen said "Stony came at us all day, but were were able to kick away in the last quarter".
A disappointed Stony Creek coach Chris Verboon said Meeniyan's run and spread was hard to defend early.
"We showed some fight in the last half by playing our brand of footy, but it was too late," Verboon said.
Mirboo North v Yinnar
Mirboo North claimed one of the upsets of the season.
Welcoming the reigning premiers, the Tigers won 6.13-49 to Yinnar 5.5-35.
With his team bouncing back, Mirboo North coach Peter Mongta said "it was the battle of defences and our midfield worked hard all day".
Yinnar coach Daniel Taylor said his team got outplayed and outworked.
"We lifted in the third quarter and got our game going to some extent, but one good quarter of football is never enough," he said.
Morwell East v Tarwin
Sitting just outside the top six, the two teams showed desperation in Saturday's game.
The Sharks took the points in the end, but only just, 7.9-51 to 7.7-49.
Tarwin coach Troy Hemming said "Morwell East put up a huge fight and nearly got us at the line but we held on".
Morwell East coach Paul Henry said they came home strong but "a really bad third quarter cost us".
Bye: Fish Creek.