An already strong MDU side was boosted this week by the one off inclusion of AFL great Dyson Heppell. And as good as Heppell may have been, it took everything the Demons had to get the better of a feisty Tarwin in front of a huge crowd celebrating past players’ day at the Meeniyan Rec Reserve.
MDU Coach Rhett Kelly was down to a single bench player by half time and was forced into several positional changes. After the match, Kelly said he was “super proud of his players for fighting it out until the end in a game that could have gone either way”. Kelly praised Tarwin saying they “showed great speed from the stoppages”, and also noting that “their accuracy in front of goal was elite”.
Kelly lauded the individual efforts of several of his players, including Jaris Lacy who “locked down on one of their key players”, Josh Schelling who “made a huge impact at centre half forward and Burke Vander Zalm, who rucked all day.
Lachie Jones, the Tarwin coach, declared post-game it was “a finals like tempo” in which his side was “brave all day” taking the “game deep into the last quarter.” He offered up Bertacco, Yann and McLeod as “real standouts” and whilst again disappointed to not get the win he was “satisfied with the effort”.
Toby Mahoney continued his handy work up front with five goals for the game for the Sharks. He was well supported by Dal Pozzo and Harley who managed three each.
For the winners it was Heppell, Kerr and Stewart with three each. Schelling, Vender Zalm and Fraser Kelly, playing his first senior game of the year, joined Heppell in the best in a win that sees MDU remain in touch with the sides vying for a top two finish at season’s end.
As for Tarwin it was a case of so close yet so far again against sides that they will need to beat come finals time. Jones said after the match, “it’s been a tough start to the year, and we are looking forward to the week off”. And a much deserved week off it is. Mitchell Berechree
Roos continue streak against Hawks
Round 4, Terrill Park
Fish Creek 21.10 (136) to Morwell East 10.3 (63)
After what coach Jarrod Walker described as “a strange first half” where his side ”couldn’t really get the game on our terms,” Fish Creek again racked up a huge score and a decent winning margin, getting the better of Morwell East 21-10-136 to 10-3-63. In a case of more of the same for Fish Creek, Wilson, McTaggart and Jacko Weidermann were amongst the goals, slotting six, five and four respectively. With at least two of this trio more than capable of playing serious midfield minutes the side is littered with dual threats.
Kiaron Dorling, who missed last week’s win, was named best for the victors along with Blaine Coates and Oscar Bright.
Walker was happier with his side's game after the main break, where they “were able to open up the ground a bit more and use our runners in space”. He said this was particularly noticeable in the last term in “a sign our fitness levels are good.” This was reflected on the scoreboard where his side piled on seven goals to one to really put a gap on the final score.
And whilst East won’t ever be happy to lose, there were still several positives to come out of the game. Walker noted post-game that East “moved the ball very well” and “exposed some defensive holes his side would need to address”.
Those defensive holes saw East find a way to kick ten goals against a quality opposition with the spread of goal kickers no doubt pleasing coach Ben Marks with eight Hawks players hitting the scoreboard.
Bailey Galante, listed as best afield for the East, managed a pair of majors along with recruit Blair Clymo. Galante was joined by Semmler and Francis as the best few on the park for the Hawks. Mitchell Berechree
Newborough topple valiant Toora
Round 4, Newborough
Newborough 15.5 (95) to Toora 5.8 (38)
Newbrough proved far too strong for Toora this week, running out impressive winners 15.5 (95) to 5.8 (38). The Dogs led all day at the kennel and probably had the game parcelled up at the main break, when they held a comfortable twenty-five point lead. The lead was due in no small part to the ageless Peter Ainsworth, who managed a pair of goals in the first half along with Jack Robinson.
It was more of the same in the second half, with Ainsworth doubling up his work in front of goal to finish with four for the day, while Robinson was more prolific in the middle of the ground and ended up being listed among the Doggies better contributors. He was joined there by Heywood and Cordner along with assistant coach Nathan Whieldon who hit the scoreboard and is returning to form after a horror injury ruined his 2025 season.
For Toora, it was all singles with Jake and Lachi Smart named as their best. After such a resolute performance last week coach Jake Smart said in the after match, “it was a very disappointing day at Newborough for us”. He felt his side had “enough of the football early but couldn’t get the score on the board. With the first half “inside fifty” count favouring the visitors twenty-nine to twenty-six, according to Gippsland FM stats man Sam Crane, the data backs up his contention.
Smart credited Newborough with “quick ball movement” lamenting the fact his side “was too slow to react”. He noted the stoic efforts of Jordan French in the back half while adding Mick Bezenne gave plenty of run and carry up front. Mitchell Berechree
Stony Lions no match for predatory Pies
Round 4, Yinnar Recreation Reserve
Yinnar 22.11 (143) to Stony Creek 10.4 (64)
After a closer than expected first quarter, Yinnar put their foot down and ran away easy winners 143 to 64 against the Lions in what coach Sam McCulloch declared “our most balanced team effort to date”. “We had strong contributions from all twenty-one players across the ground” he continued.
The best of those contributors was Kane Grinstead Jones who helped himself to seven of the best. “Grinny” was ably supported by Will Robertson who managed six with Flyn Schill’s two goals the only other multiple effort. Midfield recruit James de Virglio joined that trio as the best four afield for the winners.
McCulloch said “it was particularly encouraging to see improved connection from our backline to our forward line” but stopped short of being overly effusive noting, “there are still plenty of areas for improvement” for his side. He was, however, happy to have ticked off “a consistent four quarter performance” which he said was “a key objective leading into the match.”
For the vanquished, it was Luke Frith who played more or less a lone hand in front of the big sticks, booting five of the finest. He was named best on for Stony Creek with regulars Cody Loughridge and Julian and Tom Stone joining him. Mitchell Berechree
