Round 2 Wrap

Fairer weather brought plenty of high scoring across the MGFNL on Saturday, and it didn’t take
long for last year’s top sides to remind everyone why they’re still the benchmark. Foster and Fish
Creek combined for a massive 351 points in dominant wins, and it’s already looking like they’ll
again play a major role deep into the season.

But the standout clash of the round came at Yinnar Recreation Reserve, where Yinnar and MDU —
last year’s third and fourth placed sides — delivered an absolute thriller.
Both teams featured at least six new faces, and there was plenty of curiosity around whether MDU’s
match fitness or Yinnar’s fresh legs would prove the difference.
In the end, it was Yinnar who held on — just — winning by four points, 13.11.89 to 13.7.85. But that
scoreline only tells part of the story.

The first quarter was a bit of a feeling-out process, with neither side really taking control. For MDU,
Zac Carroll was everywhere early, working brilliantly off the ruck dominance of Josh Schelling.
Yinnar’s defence, led by Sam Walsh and co-captain Blake Van Der Meer, stood strong, while up
forward Lachlan Pratt provided a key target alongside Will Robertson and Kane Grinstead-Jones.
The game completely flipped in the second quarter.
Yinnar took control, running hard and moving the ball with speed and precision. Pratt and
Grinstead-Jones both hit the scoreboard, Ben Cheffers added another, and Harvey McKay
produced a brilliant individual effort. By halftime, Yinnar had blown the margin out to nearly 40
points.

But MDU weren’t done.
They stormed back into the contest in the third quarter, piling on five goals. Shay Walsh lifted, Zac
Carroll broke free again, and Schelling continued to dominate in the ruck.
Despite being under pressure, Yinnar managed two crucial goals through Nixon Hall and
first-gamer Ben Skinner.
Then came a tense final quarter.

MDU threw everything at Yinnar, closing within a kick late in the game. But a crucial moment came
when Tom Robertson earned a free kick in the middle and converted truly.
With under 90 seconds remaining, MDU pushed forward again and got within a kick. But when the
final siren sounded, Yinnar had held on — a four-point win in one of the games of the season so far.
Across the ground, Zac Carroll and Josh Schelling were outstanding for MDU, while Sam Walsh,
Blake Van Der Meer, James Jacobsen and Lachlan Pratt led the way for Yinnar.
Elsewhere, Morwell East recorded a 21-point win over Stony Creek, Tarwin defeated Newborough
by six goals, Hill End beat Toora by 31 points, Fish Creek dominated Mirboo North, and Foster
delivered a huge win over Boolarra.

If this round is anything to go by, the MGFNL season is shaping up to be a big one.