Kalangadoo v Hatherleigh
Hatherleigh has a precarious hold on second place after losing by 12 points to reigning premiers Kalangadoo at home on Saturday in round 17 of the Mid South East Football League.
The Eagles are level with the Magpies and the Robe Roosters on premiership points but have a superior percentage.
The round 18 results this Saturday will determine which team meets minor premiers Port MacDonnell in the double chance second semi final at Tantanoola on September 9.
Hatherleigh had a golden opportunity to clinch this place as it had the home ground advantage, was facing a Kalangadoo team just beaten by the Demons and their opponents were missing coach AL Lyon (injured) and ruckman Justin Bromley (suspended).
The home team did not help its cause with inaccurate kicking in front of goal.
The final margin of 12 points flattered Hatherleigh as three of its goals came late in the contest when Kalangadoo players had dropped their guard.
The visitors had the first use of the breeze which favoured the Mission Station Road (southerly) end of the Hatherleigh Oval.
However, it was Tom Hutchesson who recorded the first major of the contest.
On a tough day for forwards due to a heavy ground and swirling breeze, Hutchesson was the most productive forward with four goals and several behinds.
The Magpies took a 14point lead into the first break and kept most of it in the second.
Kalangadoo clearly won the third term before easing off in the last.
In the curtain-raiser, the Magpies ended the 46-game winning streak of the Eagles.
The Eagles and the Demons will meet at the Bay on Saturday while Kalangadoo’s hosting of Glencoe is vital to the makeup of the top four.
Nangwarry v Kongorong
There could be a fairytale ending to 2023 for the Nangwarry Saints as its 18-point win at Kongorong meant it might yet avoid another wooden spoon.
Although it has won this dubious honour for the past seven seasons, it is worth repeating that Nangwarry also played in 15 consecutive major rounds when it was at its peak.
The victory lifted the Saints to eighth while the Hawks fell to the bottom of the premiership table.
The Hawks were keen to avoid repeating the June 3 loss at Nangwarry and run the risk of finishing at the bottom of the premiership table.
Their plans were upset by the Saints as a six-goal haul by co-captain Andrew Hyland paved the way for victory.
Hyland now has 54 goals to his credit.
Honours were shared in the opening term and then Nangwarry go on top and took a 24-point lead into half=time.
The two teams went goal-for-goal thereafter.
Round 18 has Kongorong heading to Tantanoola while Nangwarry is at home to Robe.
The Hawks will stay at the foot of the premiership table unless they can beat the Tigers and Saints submit to the Roosters.
Robe v Mount Burr
Robe tuned up for the major round with a solid 39-point home ground win over Mount Burr.
The Roosters defence was remarkable as it only conceded two scoring shots until the last change.
Indeed, the Mount Burr forwards only bothered the goal umpires on five occasions all game and all were goals.
The Mozzies were mostly playing for pride while the Roosters had the incentive of trying to finish the home-and-away season with a second-place ranking and a double chance finals berth.
The other incentive for the visitors was to farewell coach Reece Duncan who has been forced into an early retirement owing to multiple head knocks.
Few coaches have overseen the Mozzies for four consecutive seasons including 2020 which was abandoned due to COVID.
Robe fielded its strongest team for months as it was only missing one player on the long-term injured list.
Among those to return for the red-and-whites were skipper Jack Sneath, ex-Mossie Hamish Smith and Jordan Pettit.
One consolation for Mount Burr was that full-forward Jack Gregory booted three goals and took his season’s tally to 65.
His team has the bye in round 18 but Gregory remains 11 goals clear of Nangwarry co-captain Andrew Hyland and is well-placed to secure his third A Grade league goalkicking prize.
The Burr Boys can now focus on 2024 when Clint Gallio returns as playing coach.
Robe will start as favourites at Nangwarry in round 18.
Glencoe v Tantanoola Glencoe continued its late season rally with an impressive 77point win at home over a hapless Tantanoola.
The Murphies were in total control of proceedings other than the third term when each team booted three goals.
It was a far better showing from Tantanoola after their goalless effort at home against Hatherleigh in round 16.
The Tigers have dropped off the boil in the past month and could not achieve a victory for evergreen veteran Bryden Reilly who was making his 250th senior appearance since his debut in 2006.
The Murphies finish the 2023 season on the home ground of arch rivals Kalangadoo while the Tigers complete the minor round by hosting bottom-placed Kongorong.
