by Rob Popplestone
Things can change in the blink of an eye, and they certainly have certainly changed for one of the 2022 premiership favourites Hill End in the past fortnight.
Hill End v Newborough
The Rovers' impressive first round win over Mirboo North has been overshadowed by their "lucky' draw with Boolarra, one of the improvers of the league, just last week.
This week's challenge is no easier as they welcome Newborough to their home ground for round three.
The Bulldogs have put together two strong performances in their opening couple of matches, but will need to be every bit as good to make it three from three.
Newborough coach Craig Skinner says his team face another strong, successful team with the Fanning-Byrne Cup on the line.
"But we are growing in self belief and embracing the challenge of playing Hill End, anytime anywhere."
It's been a few years since the Bulldogs have started a season so impressively. A third win in a row might just be enough to get the Newborough faithful up and about to support in the sort of numbers that the club deserves.
Hill End is the most picturesque ground and a great place to watch and play, if the weather allows. But the Bulldog players this week can expect their most hostile environment of the year.
MDU v Fish Creek
MDU welcome Fish Creek to their home ground and there is no question the Demons will plan to be less than hospitable as they plan to win one against the odds.
The Demons need bounce back after last week's one-point loss at the hands of Thorpdale.
Fish Creek have been super impressive in their two games to date, and barely broke into a sweat after their 101-point win.
MDU coach Peter Harris says "we need to work on a few things this week, and ready ourselves for the challenge of Fish Creek at home."
The Kangaroos have already shown they have the artillery to win away from home against reputable opposition. Their two-point come from behind victory against Foster in the opening round is evidence of that. But there's also evidence suggesting if you don't come ready to play, an expected win can quickly become a disappointing loss.
Mirboo North v Yinnar
Two games in, you wouldn't want to be panicking. But there is genuine reason for concern as Mirboo North prepare for their round three clash with Yinnar.
The Tigers are yet to secure premiership points and face a Magpies team ready to back up their round two victory over Morwell East.
Mirboo North coach Josh Taylor is expecting a tough game but says they have been in this position before, and the boys know what to do and how to respond.
"We will bounce back against Yinnar, who come off a nice win on the weekend," Taylor said.
The Tigers have indeed been in similar situations in recent years, but you get the feeling this year isn't one in which to push your luck.
Yinnar coach Daniel Taylor said zero and two isn't where Mirboo North want to be, and "we'll have to be at our best to get the result".
Both of these two sides have been regular finals participants in the MGFNL, but in 2022 there are no guarantees. A win by the Tigers would mean both clubs would just have the one win from the first three rounds, whereas a win by the Magpies would have Yinnar in the acceptable position of two wins and leave Mirboo North towards the bottom of the ladder with the pressure building.
Morwell East v Thorpdale
Good sides don't put together two poor performances in a row. Although their disappointing round two effort against Yinnar would still be burning in the players' stomachs and the coach's head, there is no reason to believe Morwell East is not a good side.
Thorpdale make the trip to the Hawks' home ground to face a side on the rebound, a side touted by many (this writer included) to be a big improver in season 2022.
The Hawks have recruited quality, recruited for need and recruited for player values, all the elements you want. But all that said, the pressure then falls on coach to coordinate the talent into a team that plays for each other and the jumper they wear. This was something sadly missing in the East's first up performance.
Blues coach Ray Pickering brings a side who showed good fight and character in their one-point win last week. The team will have to show all that and more if they are to back up and make it two in a row.
The first 10 minutes of this clash will tell us a lot about how the game will unfold. If the Hawks dish up what they did in last week's loss to Yinnar, we could have a game on our hands.
A champion team will always beat a team of champions.
Tarwin v Foster
The Sharks could not have done much more in their opening two rounds - a first up win over Yinnar on the Magpies' home ground followed by another away win against an improved Stony Creek side.
All that said, this week becomes a test at another level against the highly respected Foster on their home ground.
The Tigers, coming off an opening round loss to Fish Creek, have made no secret of the fact they might not have access to their first players. But I wouldn't think that would concern enthusiastic Tarwin coach Troy Hemming. A win is a win. And in a tight competition, you take them whenever and however you can get them.
The Sharks are intent on not only building a club that wins on the field, but one that develops a culture off the ground that epitomises the values reflective of the community they represent.
More often than not, these two quests are actually one and the same. Both will be tested this week against a club long respected for their winning culture.
Toora v Stony Creek
Toora would be disappointed in their opening rounds of the season. Two losses of greater than 100 points can be devastating far beyond what happens on the field.
With the whole fabric of the club put under pressure, it will be a test for every single person at the Power, both on and off the field.
To add insult to injury, this week they face a Stony Creek side coming off a loss but desperate to claim every win they can.
Stony Creek coach Jai Acardi is hopeful of a much better performance.
The Lions' loss to Tarwin in round two, of greater than seven goals, put a dampener on what was a great start to the year. A week prior they put Thorpdale to the sword in an impressive second half of footy.
It's hard to see how Toora can turn their fortunes around against the Lions, even on their home ground. But sometimes, it's not even about winning or losing. It's about improving each week, even a little, with a vision of reaching a level somewhere down the track for success.
They say you only ever lose if you don't learn from the loss. At this stage for the Power, it's about learning each week, staying tight as a group and a club, and celebrating the "small" wins along the way, even in a loss.
Bye: Boolarra