Mount Burr d Glencoe
Mount Burr easily retained the Ian McInnes Memorial Shield on Saturday when it accounted for Glencoe by 74 points at home at Mick and Jean Walker Oval in round seven of the Mid South East Football League.
First awarded by the family of the one-time Mozzie president and secretary in 1998, the green-and-golds have now won it 17 times to just eight by the Murphies.
It was a remarkable return to form for Mount Burr as the team had only booted three goals on their home ground a fortnight earlier against Port MacDonnell.
The teams had appeared evenly matched but the home team was bolstered by the recovery from injury of skipper Josh Fiebig and the return from Glenelg duties of teenage sensation Kallan Bevan.
The visitors kicked the opening two goals of the game before their hosts responded with two unanswered goals.
The two teams added four goals apiece in the second term.
A battle royale had loomed at the long break as the difference was a solitary point in favour of Mount Burr.
The home side looked to be under the pump as in-form teenage ruckman Calum Sparkes was taken by the SA Ambulance Service to Mount Gambier Hospital.
Sparkes had fallen awkwardly and dislocated his shoulder.
His teammates stepped up to cover his absence to dominate the second half to boot 14 goals while conceding just three.
Jack Gregory was the focal point in attack with a season-high bag of seven goals while 30+ classy possessions by Bevan earned him the best-on-ground accolade.
Alex Hentschke was the stand-out contributor for the Murphies.
Mount Burr heads to Kongorong in round seven while Glencoe is at home to Nangwarry.
The Murphies will also be hosting their annual Life Members Day.
Robe defeated Kongorong
Undefeated ladder leader Robe taught Kongorong a football season after quarter time at home as it cantered away to a 119-point victory.
There had been little indication of such an imbalance at quarter time as the first 30 minutes of play was an intense battle of defences.
The Hawks had the first use of the breeze and had applied great pressure to the ball carrier.
Each team had only managed two goals at the first change on one of the best playing surfaces in the MSEFL and the visitors led by three points.
This was quickly reined in as the Roosters added a further 22 goals before the final bell while restricting the Hawks to just four majors.
Nearly all of the seasiders featured on the scoresheet with captain and regular defender Jack Sneath among the 15 goalkickers.
There is no doubt the defensive efforts of Sneath and returning player Zac Deane are key factors in the Roosters occupying the pointy end of the premiership table.
Kongorong returns home to meet Mount Burr in round seven while Robe has the well-earned bye.
Port MacDonnell d Tantanoola
It was a mismatch at Tigerland with Port MacDonnell banking a healthy amount of percentage and securing the premiership points at the expense of Tantanoola.
The seasiders held a 43-point advantage at the first change and kept the Tigers goalless in the first half.
The honours were shared after the long break with both teams kicking three goals in the third term and two in the last.
On current form, the Demons have the best percentage in the MSEFL and are well placed to finish the minor round in the top two.
Tantanoola heads to Hatherleigh on Saturday while Port MacDonnell returns to the Bay.
The Demons meet reigning premiers Kalangadoo who will be fresh from the bye.
It was quite a day out for Tiger youngster Cade Kelly and he would have slept well on Saturday night.
Kelly booted four goals and was named best player when his team lowered the colours of the Demons in the senior colts contest.
After a break lasting 1.5 hours, Kelly again donned the red-and-white togs to do battle in A Grade.
Kelly featured in the best players in the main match as well.
Hatherleigh d Nangwarry
Hatherleigh’s 76-point winning margin at Nangwarry suggests a one-sided contest but this was far from the case.
On a day when conditions were ripe for goalscoring, the scoreboard was always going to be ticking over at a pace.
The Saints almost matched the Eagles in two of the terms while the visitors outplayed their opponents in the other two.
Nangwarry co-captain Andrew Hyland was the most productive player of the 42 in the match and his bag of six goals was a personal season high.
Nangwarry’s quest for a breakthrough wins in 2023 continues in round seven at Glencoe.
The Saints will be looking to claim the Phil Muhovics memorial trophy for the first time.
His long and successful career had begun in his home town of Glencoe and he coached Nangwarry to their first three premierships in 1993, 1994 and 1997.
Hatherleigh hosts Tantanoola in round seven.
Last Saturday, the Eagles had three former players among Millicent’s best in the win by the Saints over West Gambier at McLaughlin Park.
Millicent’s three other best players were also recruited directly from MSEFL clubs – two from Mount Burr and one from Tantanoola.