Port MacDonnell V Kalangadoo
Port MacDonnell has reached top place for the first time in2023 after accounting for reigning premiers Kalangadoo by a mere nine points at the Bay on Saturday in round seven of the Mid South East Football League.
Little more than a goal separated the teams all game but the seasiders held their nerve in the final term.
They added seven behinds to 1.1 to claim both the premiership points and the bragging rights.
It was an old-fashioned battle of defences with Dartmoor recruit Christian Howlett being the sole multiple goal scorer with two goals for the victors.
The seasiders leap-frogged the undefeated Robe at the end of round seven but the Roosters are almost level on premiership points and percentage and also have a game in hand.
The Demons now have a three-week break while Hatherleigh plays at Kalangadoo ahead of the SE Carnival in Bordertown.
The Magpies/Eagles fixture will be a replay of the 2022 grand final which was played at this venue.
Kalangadoo has a 50:50 win/loss record so far this season and is sitting outside the top four.
Hatherleigh v Tantanoola
Home team Hatherleigh dominated in the third term against Tantanoola and set up a 50-point victory.
After a relatively-even first half, the Eagles found full throttle and piled on 8.4 to nil in the third term.
The margin at the last change was 64 points but the undermanned Tigers refused to concede without a gritty fight.
They kicked four goals of their own and kept Hatherleigh to one.
The Eagles should have followed the example of Tantanoola when it came to kicking for goal.
The managed eight goals from 10 scoring shots while Hatherleigh missed the opportunity to build percentage with only 14 goals from 30 scoring shots.
After leaking 11 goals to lowly Nangwarry in round six, the Eagles only conceded eight majors to the Tigers.
The stand-out forward on the day was star Hatherleigh recruit Tom Hutchesson with a game-high tally of five goals.
His sharp reflexes and ability to read the play from a forward pocket were match-winning attributes
Reigning premiers Kalangadoo hosts Hatherleigh on Saturday Tantanoola plays Glencoe at Tigerland for the Neil Von Duve Memorial Trophy.
Glencoe V Nangwarry
The result was never in doubt after quarter time as Glencoe retained the Phil Muhovics Memorial Trophy at home at the expense of Nangwarry by 90 points.
The trophy honours the memory of the coach of the Saints in their first three premierships in 1993, 1994 and 1997 and it has never been won by Nangwarry.
The best-on-ground medal was awarded to consistent Nangwarry ruckman Jack Pudney.
Played before a large crowd of Glencoe life members on their annual get-together, the Murphies posted their best score for 2023.
The leading goal scorers for the home side were Patrick Mitchell with nine goals and Tory Weaver with seven.
The Nangwarry forward line also benefitted from the free-flowing nature of the contest.
It has also been quite some time since the Saints managed 14 goals in a game with co-captain Andrew Hyland booting five of them.
He now shares the lead on the goalkicking table with Kongorong’s “Jacka” Ryan as they have 22 goals apiece.
Glencoe travels down the Mile Hill Road and competes for the annual Neil Von Duve Memorial Trophy at Tantanoola in round eight while Nangwarry is home to Kongorong.
Mount Burr v Kongorong
Mount Burr continues to defy the odds and was 33 points clear of the home team at Kongorong when the final siren sounded.
It was anyone’s game at the last change with the home team just ahead by nine points.
Inspired by centreman Dylan Ridley, the Burr Boys slammed on 6.7 while conceding only one behind.
The 29-year-old has overcome serious knee injuries and given the Mozzies great service since joining the club from Millicent.
Ridley has been a place-getter for the Mail Medal and he would be the sentimental favourite of many around the MSEFL to claim the league’s highest individual honour this season.
None of the eight other Mid SE clubs have had to endure a run with injuries more than the Mozzies in 2023.
Missing from the team which defeated Glencoe in round six were injured pair Rhys Gamble and Tyler Stanley along with teenage sensation Kallan Bevan who was on duty in Adelaide with the Under 18 side of SANFL zone club Glenelg.
Nevertheless, the Mount Burr side is still getting the job and sitting comfortably in third place.
Such absences of regular A Graders enabled Jack Francis to make his A Grade debut.
His maternal grandfather is former Mount Burr United Football Club president and 1971 West Gambier premiership player Ken Bellinger.
Hawks spearhead “Jacka” Ryan had led the competition’s goalkickers with 20 coming into this match.
He booted two majors and now shares the lead with Nangwarry co-captain Andrew Hyland.
Best for the Hawks were Matt Cordy and Warrigal recruit Matthew Roberts.
Mount Burr will host undefeated Robe who had the bye in round seven while Kongorong heads to Nangwarry.
