by Rob Popplestone
It was now or never for some, and the end of the line for others, in round 15 of Mid Gippsland football.
Boolarra v Hill End
The Demons just had to win this game, and it really didn't matter how.
On the wrong side of far too many close results, Boolarra did just that with a 11.14-80 to 1.3-9 victory.
The Demons have really put it altogether. It may be a little too late in the season but will no doubt please coach Brendan Mason.
"Nice to be back on the winners' list," Mason said. "Really happy with our defensive efforts keeping them to one goal for the game."
It was a rare disappointing day out for the Rovers. The Hillsmen may not have won many this season but they have been competitive many more times than not.
However, as the home and away season starts to come to an end, keeping the team motivated through winter is a tough job.
"It was a really disappointing performance by us," Hill End coach Ambu Uliando said. "Credit to Boolarra, they outplayed us and wanted it more."
With just a few more chances for another win available, Uliando will be keen to have his men bounce back quickly.
The 2024 season not one of their best, but certainly one from which Hill End can build a foundation for the years ahead.
Stony Creek v Thorpdale
Thorpdale made the trip to Stony Creek under no illusions as to what was required given their precarious position on the MGFNL ladder.
The Blues sat one game behind the sixth placed MDU, and it was win or face the reality of the season being close enough to over.
The Lions, at least pre-game, gave themselves a genuine chance of an upset. The task, however, proved to be just a little too tough for the home side, with the Blues doing most of their damage in the first quarter for a 12.7-79 to 8.6-54 win.
"A 15-minute blitz had us up seven goals to zip, which was great as Stony have been very good in first quarters this year," Thorpdale coach Jason Winderlich said. "From there, the game never reached great heights due to the weather, but I was really happy to come away with the four points."
"All we can do is keep winning to give ourselves a chance," Winderlich added.
That chance is sure to present itself. And, if the Blues are ready to take it, they will no doubt be a tough side to meet in the high pressure and physicality of finals football.
Stony Creek coach Chris Verboon said they expected Thorpdale to come out strongly.
"Something we have been good at all year is starting well, but Thorpdale jumped us early," Verboon said. "As the rain set in, the game became a hard slog."
Foster v Mirboo North
With two of the top three having a bye, Foster could put themselves in the conversation.
They did so with a big victory, 11.7-73 to 4.3-27.
Whilst the final scoreline indicated a one-way affair, it was far from that for the home side.
"We let Mirboo play their footy in the first quarter and conceded goals we shouldn't have," Foster coach Sam Davies said. "It was a tough day for footy with the constant rain but we did enough to win."
Mirboo North coach Damian Turner was impressed with his side's effort against a more mature bodied outfit.
"We hit bodies all day and I feel we didn't go away," Turner said. "Foster was better on the outside, especially, for the majority of the day and took their chances."
Tarwin v MDU
This clash had so much more riding on it than the four premiership points.
A win would keep Tarwin's faint finals hopes alive and a MDU victory would maintain see their grip tighten on a top six finish.
The Demons got the job done by 10 points, 5.14-44 to 5.4-34.
"Trying conditions and a hard, tough Tarwin team spurred on by their crowd made things tough," MDU coach Nathan Allen said.
Tarwin coach Jason Kennedy sad it was always going to be a tough day against an in-form team in testing conditions.
"We came in at half-time with a two-point lead," Kennedy said. "Then, in the third quarter, they kicked a couple that we weren't able to get back."
"It was a solid effort from all but, in the end, we didn't maximise our chances and time in the forward as well as Meeniyan did," he added.
Yinnar v Newborough
The Magpies had to be close to their best or risk giving up third on the ladder.
They proved to be up to the Bulldog challenge, with a fast start allowing them to assume control for a 21-point win, 8.9-57 to 5.6-36
"The first quarter was even, both teams having opportunities to hit the scoreboard and we managed to get a handy lead at quarter time," Yinnar coach Sam McCulloch said. "Then we broke the game open in the second quarter. The boys were tough at the contest and willed the ball forward at every opportunity."
Despite a handy five-goal lead at half-time, McCulloch told his players there was still plenty of work to be done.
"Newborough came hard in the third, getting themselves back in it," he said. "But the response was a three goal last quarter to see us home."
Newborough coach Craig Skinner said Yinnar took advantage of the slippery conditions early and "our best footy came in the second half when conditions got worse".
Newborough now sit in fifth position, only a game clear of the seventh placed Thorpdale.
Bye: Fish Creek, Morwell East and Toora.