Demons surge through to semis
MDU 12.14.86 to Thorpdale 9.12.66
Elimination final two, 24 August, Terrill Park
A fourth placed MDU, coming off a confidence building win just seven days earlier, seemed ready to go against what appeared to be a fragile Thorpdale team. The Blues had been given a footballing lesson in the last round of the home and away season, but that loss masked a pre planned decision to rest many of their first choice players in order to give the underdogs the best possible chance of surprising the favoured Demons, and for a period of the afternoon it seemed the Blues strategy might pay off.
The heat was on from both sides early, and the elimination final had several lead changes within the first thirty minutes. Then, three goals deep into time gave the Demons some breathing space and a quarter time lead of twenty one points
The Blues were never going to turn this one up however and the second quarter saw Thorpdale dig deep in an attempt to claw their way back into the game, the margin back to just eight points at the main break.
The third, the "premiership" quarter, saw the best of the Blues, who lifted their pressure, showing composure when it counted and arresting the lead by a a five point margin with thirty minutes to go.
This is where the favoured MDU really flexed and found what was needed, and the Demons finally managed to shrug off a courageous Thorpdale side to win by twenty points.
Rhett Kelly, MDU’s coach called it "a great game, I thought we had the edge on them early, but to their credit they just fought and fought and fought their way back into the game, but I was just so happy that our boys could find something in the last thirty minutes and get the prize of another step forward in the finals."
Daniel Taylor, Thorpdale’s coach said it is “always disappointing when the season comes to an end but proud we made the finals and put in a decent performance. We got outplayed in the first quarter and at quarter time it probably looked like MDU by how far. Proud that we got ourselves back into the contest and I felt like we had the game on our terms in the 3rd quarter but probably didn't capitalise enough on the scoreboard. Full credit to MDU though, they finished the game a lot better and were deserving winners. In my opinion the best 4 teams are still in it which is good for the competition, I'm looking forward to seeing how it pans out.”
The final four clubs are now Foster, Fish Creek, Yinnar and MDU, the field wide open for premiership glory. Rob Pobblestone
ROUND 18
Sharks crash out
MDU 11-10-76 to Tarwin 4-6-30
Round 18, Meeniyan Rec Reserve
MDU hosted a Tarwin side that could not accept anything less than a win, or they would jeopardise their sixth placed position just one week short of the finals. Even with a win, it was expected that percentage might also come into play, as the Blues continued to be chased by two other contenders. The final scoreline saw the Sharks crashing out of finals contention.
Rhett Kelly, MDU’s coach said: “It was incredibly pleasing to get the win yesterday against Tarwin, especially as they were battling for the last spot in the top six. This wraps up our home and away season, which has certainly had its ups and downs but has been very rewarding overall. On the weekend, I asked for plenty of energy, effort, and intent from the boys, knowing that Tarwin would come out with everything they had. We were able to absorb their pressure and then started to get to work.”
Lachie Jones, Tarwin’s coach, called it “a bit of a disappointing end to the year. We had a chance to play finals and didn’t quite take that opportunity. The game itself was played on a heavy deck at Meeniyan and the contest was there from our guys at times and through passages but we just didn’t play four quarters. Credit to MDU, they work as a team and were too classy for us. Looking forward to 2026 down at Tarwin already.”
And while the Sharks are sure to be an even tougher proposition in 2026, Demons coach Rhett Kelly is not only thankful for the support his team has had, but is calling for the community to join them on their finals quest.
“I also want to take this opportunity to thank our supporters for their commitment this year. Your presence, week in and week out, cheering us on at both the football ground and the netball courts, means the world to us. The games wouldn't be the same without you all there, and the playing group is incredibly thankful for your support. Let's keep the momentum going! Go Dee's!” he said. Rob Pobblestone
Tigers topple Roos in finals preview
Foster 7-4-46 to Fish Creek 4-4-28
Round 18, Foster Showgrounds
Unlike the pressure faced by those clubs fighting for a finals spot, these two teams sat first and second respectively. I guess the only item on offer was the bragging rights of finishing in top position at the end of the home and away, not that many will remember that after the upcoming MGFNL premiers are determined. That said, it was also a chance for each to have a close up look at the other, ahead of their inevitable first finals clash in a fortnight, where the winner of that match will be playing for a direct through to Grand Final day. The result his time: Foster too good.
Sam Davies, Foster’s coach said it was a “really tough game in conditions we haven’t really seen or played in this year - I thought they were on top in the first half, they applied great pressure and we panicked a lot with the footy. We didn’t adjust too much after half time but came out much more calm and got a lot more speed on the ball which created a lot of opportunities that we took. Both teams will have changes in a fortnight but we will definitely enjoy the week and appreciate the work put in to finish on top.”
The Tigers will enjoy their win for what the win is worth, with both coaches knowing what matters in the immediate future takes place in a fortnight.
Jarrad Walker, Fish Creek’s coach said it was “a solid hit out against Foster on an interesting weather day. The first half was relatively dry, although hard to score for both teams the ball was moving pretty quickly. With no team able to capitalise on opportunities in the first half, Foster definitely changed that in the third quarter, putting on 6 goals straight to our one. Something we have been pretty good at is stopping opposition momentum but we just weren’t able to in the third quarter, disappointing on our end but hats off to Foster. They were first in and out hunted us. By the end of the 3rd the rain and hail had set in and it was always going to be hard for us to claw them back. We showed a bit at the start of the last quarter for a potential comeback but unfortunately the damage was done. Well done to Foster finishing a year clear on top of the ladder, a very solid year.”
That first final between these two respected clubs will offer up the chance for a direct route to the 2026 MGFNL Grand Final. Rob Pobblestone
Lions end season on a high
Stony Creek 6-12-48 to Morwell East 5-7-37
Round 18, Morwell East Rec Reserve
Two teams with some work to do in the months between now and the start of 2026, clashed in a game that was all about pride and effort. For the home team Hawks, it was also about grabbing the premiership points that could have them climb from the bottom of the MGFNL ladder, but it wasn’t to be, with Stony Creek too good on the day.
Troy Shepardson, Stony Creek’s coach said it was a “good way to finish the year with back to back wins, some reward for all the hard work that's been put in over the year.”
The Lions have been close so many times this season, only to fall short, too many times, and those close losses have been the difference between playing in the weeks ahead or not.
For the Hawks, it’s been even more disappointing, and it’s probably not even too harsh to say it’s been a season to forget. With the respected Paul Henry stepping down as coach, the Hawks quest to join rival league NGFNL denied, and a rare wooden spoon in 2025, it appears time for a complete reset for the one mighty Morwell East.
