MDU dominates Mirboo North reclaiming top six

A MERCILESS MDU returned to the Mid Gippsland top six with a thumping 106-point victory over Mirboo North, at Meeniyan Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

The Demons also collected the Owen “Spud’ Harris Memorial Cup, played between the clubs each season.

Mirboo North wore two black armbands in support of the Couper and Peter families, following the deaths of Angela Couper and Angus Peter during the week.

The visiting Tigers were immediately caught off guard when MDU’s star spearhead, Darren Sheen, booted the first two goals of the game inside the opening three minutes of play.

Sheen — who was returning from an eight-match injury lay-off — finished with 11 majors, that included registering his 1200th career goal in 256 appearances at 11 different clubs. .

Mirboo North’s only goal scorers in the match were Hayden Barnes and Shane Peters, with one apiece. 

After MDU’s initial onslaught, defiant Mirboo North defence led by Taj Wilkins and playing coach, Damien Turner, restricted the home side to two goals in nearly an hour of intense and tenacious-tackling football.

Although Mirboo North dabbled in some risky options and trailed by 20 points at the main break, there was nothing to suggest everything would begin to fall apart so dramatically for the Tigers after half-time.

But fall apart they did, especially in the 10.1 to zero last term, when the stimulated Demons ran rings around their opponents with play resembling simulated Thursday night circle work. 

Put simply, MDU, with the home crowd cheering the Demons on, couldn’t do anything wrong, whilst nothing much went right for the Tigers. 

Dominant contributors for MDU included Sheen in front of the big white sticks, Shaye Walsh, Samual Wilson, Jess Hickey and Jake Bromley.

Those who battled bravely to the end for Mirboo North were Ethan Woodall, skipper Hudson Kerr, Joe Brooks, ever-improving giant ruckman, Patrick Lewis, Aaron Scicuna and Wilkins.

This Saturday, Mirboo North hosts Boolarra at Tigerland, where Gary Ablett Junior will be a special guest of the club in the social rooms, following the senior footy match’s completion.