by Rob Popplestone
As the Mid Gippsland football home and away season starts to wind down, sides have different priorities.
A handful are fine-tuning for finals footy, others doing what they need to get through, and some are keen to take the scalp of a more credentialed side.
Mirboo North v Hill End
In a long, tough season when wins are rare, sides set themselves to take opportunities when they can.
This weekend is one in which two sides, both deserving, want the same thing - a victory to reward players for months of hard work.
Mirboo North coach Damian Turner believes Hill End would be looking to "bounce back hard".
"We need to do the same," Turner said. "Excited by some of the maturity our young players are getting into their footy. Need to remain consistent in this area."
The Tigers are indeed showing definite signs of improvement. The commitment by players to the club's cause is the first step towards showing what most in the league know what they are capable of.
Hill End coach Ambu Uliando said the Tigers had been "playing some good footy" in the last few weeks.
"We will have to step up a lot from last week to have a chance," Uliando admitted.
The Rovers' significant loss to Boolara last week is one that hurts, especially when they have managed to fight through games for most of the season. However, if coach Ambu can get his men to bounce back, they might well be set for another victory.
Thorpdale v Toora
All Thorpdale can do is win. And, whilst winning, hope that MDU - the side sitting just above them on the ladder - drop a game.
These two results would open the door for the Blues to burst into finals contention.
However, when part of the plan is to hope, it is a nervous time for the very well credentialed Blues.
"All we can do is keep winning to give ourselves a chance," Thorpdale coach Jason Winderlich said. "Toora will no doubt want to spoil a few parties at the back end of the year, so we expect a tough game."
Very few doubt that Thorpdale could rumble with the very best sides in the competition if they get their chance. Getting that chance starts with Toora this weekend, a side that has continued to throw their very best against every opposition they meet.
Toora coach Jack Weston described the Blues as "a well coached and organised side whose midfield got on top last time we played."
"We've built some great synergy since and I look forward to seeing how our improvement stacks up," Weston said.
The Blues, on their home deck, are a tough team to beat. The Magpies will need to be ready to jump out of the blocks very quickly and, no doubt, have the talent to do so.
However, the hope of finals footy might be just enough to make the difference.
Fish Creek v Boolarra
Boolara's win over Mirboo North might not seem so impressive on paper. But, it did confirm the Demons are capable of some pretty impressive football.
That confidence-building victory also has them believing that the season can still present some even bigger opportunities as they prepare for a clash with the premiership favourites.
"Fish Creek at Fish Creek coming off a loss in their last game," Boolarra coach Brendan Mason said. "We are down some troops, but we will have to find a way to take it up to the best side in the competition."
The Kangaroos are under no illusions as to what the Demons are capable of.
"Looking forward to a good test against Boolarra," Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker said. "They played really well against us last time and tested our defence all day."
"It's time for us to put a good four quarter effort in and start building some momentum into finals," Walker added.
That is now key for those handful of clubs assured of finals football, of which reigning premiers Fish Creek are. Currently sitting second on the ladder - only percentage behind from top team Morwell East - has them ideally placed for the opportunity to go back-to-back.
Morwell East v Yinnar
This clash between two of the very best sides in the competition is sure to be the match of the round.
Top of the table Morwell East is hosting an equally impressive third placed Yinnar side on the cusp of finals.
Sitting just percentage behind the Hawks, the Magpies will be keen to knock them from their perch and cause some nervous times in the weeks ahead.
Morwell East coach Paul Henry said playing Yinnar - who are coming off a big win - on the club's past players' day "is huge."
There is every chance that these two sides will meet again in the finals. Apart from the importance of winning, learning a little more about the opposition may also be of enormous benefit.
Yinnar coach Sam McCulloch said his boys were tough at the contest against Newborough last week.
"Very pleased with the result against a good side," McCulloch said. "Looking forward to Morwell East this week."
Morwell East has been building momentum for quite a period, both on and off the field. Support from past players and the local community is sure to be there in numbers at the Hawks' home ground on Saturday, knowing a victory can firm up a position in the league's top three.
If successful, the Hawks will have a crucial springboard into a finals campaign.
Tarwin v Stony Creek
Despite being capable of finals football, both sides have seen their chances slip though their fingers over the season.
However, finishing with another victory or two is still on the cards for both Tarwin and Stony Creek.
The Sharks took a hit last week when defeat knocked even a mathematical chance of finals footy off the table.
Tarwin coach Jason Kennedy said his team put in "a solid effort" but didn't maximise chances and time down forward, "which hurts you in such a close competition."
"This week is at home against Stony Creek, which I'm sure will be another close contest," Kennedy said.
Close contests have been the order of the season for both sides. Unfortunately, more times than not, they have not claimed the wins that they would have thought they were deserving of.
Even last week, Stony Creek gave one up that they were capable of claiming.
Stony Creek coach Chris Verboon said his side had started well all season but had been jumped by Thorpdale last week with an eight goal to one opening quarter.
"We now take on Tarwin this week at home," Verboon said. "Should be a great contest."
Both coaches have led their clubs well and will be desperate to claim as many wins as possible in the limited weeks ahead.
In turn, this can be an excellent selling tool in attracting the personnel required for 2025.
Byes: Foster, MDU and Newborough.