by Rob Popplestone
As exciting as the season has already been, this week's round of football has something a little bit special with a Saturday night clash to be a feature.
Hill End v Foster
There is no team that wants to cop a good side on the rebound - especially not on that team's home ground. But that is exactly what Foster will face this weekend when they make the journey to Hill End to clash with the Rovers.
The Tigers have bounced back in recent times after a shaky start to the season, but this week face their biggest challenge of the season.
"It's our first ever trip to Willow Grove, which will be one of our toughest road trips of the year," Foster coach Sam Davies said. "We look forward to growing as a group even more."
Make no mistake, a rivalry has already been built between these two sides, and you can expect both teams to be as fierce and as fired up as they possibly can be.
Hill End coach Mike Santo is still fuming from his team's one-point loss to MDU last week and he will be asking, make that, demanding his men give 100 per cent for four full quarters.
"Last week our inaccuracy cost us and our lack of discipline is becoming a real issue for us; hopefully it's a wake up call," Santo said.
I think it's fair to say those on the boundary will know in the first few minutes whether the Rovers have actually received that wake up call, or whether they still believe they are good enough to just go through their paces to secure the four premiership points.
Yinnar v Thorpdale
Just how last week's loss to Tarwin has impacted Thorpdale will probably be shown up in the first 30 minutes of their clash with Yinnar.
In fact, the Magpies will know the Blues may have some self doubt after their 20-goal defeat. If they can manage to jump the visitors early, it might make their job far easier for the remaining three quarters.
It's a funny game, football. Some say played eight per cent above the shoulders, or is that 90 per cent? Whatever the percentage, you get my point that if Magpies get on top early, their job might be done.
However, if Thorpdale can manage to be in touch by half-time, we may just have a real contest on our hands.
Yinnar coach Daniel Taylor said his side face another week week against Thorpdale.
"They have improved since last year and we're in a position where we can't take anyone lightly; it's a must-win game," Taylor said.
As big as challenges that Thorpdale have already confronted this season, there is none bigger or more important than this one, for two reasons. One, it's their next game, but two, and more crucially, it will certainly give coach Pickering an insight into the quality of player, strength of character and potential of his players and his team.
Yinnar should win but Thorpdale can learn just as much no matter the result by the type of effort that is displayed by its players.
Morwell East v Newborough
Senior game start: 6pm
We may have become accustomed to watching footy being played on television at night, but there is something quite exciting about it happening in your own backyard.
It is a great initiative by the Hawks and the league, and a terrific opportunity for the Bulldogs to be part of a night time showcase of the MGFNL.
Morwell East have slowly but surely gone about their business over the past few weeks, putting together a series of wins whilst still not playing the quality of football their coach knows they are capable of. This week you feel they will need to be closer to their best than not.
"After a shaky start, we're building much better connection and understanding across the group," Morwell East coach Devon Soutar said. "But there's no rest. Every aspect will be tested yet again in a blockbuster against the Bulldogs this Saturday night."
Newborough regained some much needed confidence after their impressive victory over Boolarra last week. It's a clash like this one that will show coach Craig Skinner exactly what he has to work with.
"Morwell East have some great signings this season, so another big hurdle for us this Saturday night," Skinner said. "(We) would love an easy game, but unfortunately this competition doesn't have any."
Night time for football does create a unique environment for players and supporters alike. It also gives the wider footballing loving public to see some MGFNL action live, and this game is deserving of a big crowd.
Boolarra v Mirboo North
The pressure just doesn't seem to end in the MGFNL with Boolarra at home to Mirboo North in what has become a weekly example of a must-win match.
The Demons started the season like a side destined to be a major player come finals time. It's amazing that after just one loss to Newborough the week before, the landscape can change so quickly.
Don't get me wrong, Boolarra are very much in the mix. But this 50/50 game is a must-win for both sides. Being on the wrong side of the result, for either, certainly starts to turn the screws as we edge closer to business time.
"We missed opportunities last week and Newborough made us look silly, this is a big game for us against Mirboo North," Boolarra coach Tony Giardina said.
Mirboo North have managed to miraculously finish in front by less than a kick two weeks in a row. Their ability to find the line when it counts should be commended, but there is only so many times a side can ride their luck, or is there?
You can justifiably expect that this clash will be no different to those that the Tigers have competed in over the last fortnight, a close, tough, hard contest, with every passage of play, every kick for goal, tackle and shepherd potentially impacting the result. It's the sort of pressure the Tigers seem to thrive on, but it's also an opportunity for Boolarra to show they have really come of age and kill off a good side on their way up.
Fish Creek v Tarwin
Fish Creek have come off two losses of just nine and three points in the last fortnight. It is those sort of results that can start to play with the players heads, but coach John Danckert has managed to keep a cool and calm exterior despite the pressure starting to build.
I'm sure he hopes this will rub on his men as they prepare for a must-win match against a very good side in Tarwin.
"We just simply need to win," Danckert said. "We look forward to taking on Tarwin back on our home deck after a month off."
The Kangaroos on their home deck will prove to be a tough proposition for the visiting Sharks who have taken all before them.
Tarwin coach Troy Hemming is expecting a big challenge and a great game.
Tarwin would be well aware their next month will define their season as they prepare for the likes of Morwell East, Mirboo North and Hill End on the back of this weekend's clash with neighbours Fish Creek. As good as they've been, Hemming would be aware continued improvement is key to continued success.
Toora v MDU
It possibly wasn't as good as a holiday, but Toora's week off was probably just what the Magpies needed on the back of their zero-four season start.
Coach Matthew Ponton has remained buoyant and positive. He no doubt understands it will take time to take Toora to where he knows they need to be. But that doesn't mean there won't be many challenges on the way; one of which will be keeping his men motivated to keep coming back again and again.
MDU put a line in the sand last week, and the Demons responded to the challenge of taking on a top team and walking away with the premiership points. Coach Peter Harris knows better than most that the bottom of the ladder Toora side can also provide some challenges.
Harris says "we need to bring our intensity for the entire game to be any chance."
The key in this competition is to string a line of wins together. As good as the Demons' win over Hill End was, it will count for nothing if they now drop one they are expected to win.
Toora might not be expected to be a finals side this year but one thing you can expect from the Magpies is leaving everything they have on the field.
Bye: Stony Creek