Kalangadoo versus Robe
Robe players have a point to prove when they take on reigning premiers and archrivals Kalangadoo in the cut-throat Mid South East Football League preliminary final at Kalangadoo on Saturday.
The victor will meet minor premiers Hatherleigh in the MSEFL season decider at Kongorong on September 21.
The Roosters appear to have been shunned by the anonymous selectors of the 2024 MSEFL Team of the Year as they filled just two of the 24 places on offer.
The seasiders lost just three games on the scoreboard to finish second but only newly-minted Mail Medallist Henry Lawrie and Best Under 21 George Dutton were deemed worthy of receiving the coveted glass trophy.
On the other hand, the Magpies scraped into the major round on percentage but have supplied the team’s vice captain in James Pratt along with the two McManus brothers, Connor Gentile and Dylan Bromley.
Over the years, the Robe Football Club have worked the “them and us” pitch to their advantage and relished the outsider status.
You do not have to go back too far into the annals of the MSEFL to find examples of Robe decrying what they saw as adverse decisions made by umpires, tribunals and league officials.
Also adding interest to this contest is the seething grudge borne by some parties in both clubs owing to unforgiven matters of several seasons ago.
Rooster coach Nathan Brown has to push every lever he can to lead a team to the season decider after being crushed by 50 points at Hatherleigh and by Hatherleigh in the second semi.
The most obvious change is to put himself back on the oval and hope his injured calf muscle can withstand the rigours of 120 minutes of finals footy.
In his two seasons at Robe, Brown has been sidelined by injury for 11 out of a possible 33 matches.
Brown and his fellow selectors must run the ruler over the unbeaten B Grade team and assess who might be worthy of a call-up.
The Roosters have voluntarily taken the unusual step of having almost two months without alcohol to prepare themselves for the major round.
Such a commendable action might yet bear fruit.
As well as the poor showing at Hatherleigh and a formidable opponent in Kalangadoo, Robe have another unwanted piece of history.
It is almost six years since the red and whites have won a major round contest.
That was the thrilling win over Mount Burr at Glencoe in 2018 which denied the Mozzies an unprecedented fourth consecutive premiership.
Since then, Robe has lost its past four major round contests.
They have been in the 2019, 2021 and 2023 first semis and the 2024 second semi.
Perhaps Robe players could make use of the expertise of noted American psychiatrists Dr Frasier Crane and Dr Niles Crane who are said in unconfirmed despatches to be treating Hatherleigh players for their grand final phobia.
All is not lost for the Roosters as they only played poorly in one term last Saturday and they have defeated the Magpies in both of their previous meetings in 2024.
The margins were a whopping 60 points (home) and 65 points (away).
Although Kalangadoo has the home ground advantage and is a slight favourite on Saturday, there are plenty of boxes which are yet to be ticked by the black and whites.
How will they cope with having a 14 -day break from the playing arena?
Will inspirational Magpie coach Al Lyon return to the 22 or continue to guide proceedings from the sidelines?
What are the fitness levels of star players Jack Casey and Michael Krieger who have had injury-interrupted seasons?
The glittering prize on Saturday is the opportunity to take on Hatherleigh which has lost its past three grand finals in 2017, 2022 and last season.
VERDICT: Expect a hard-fought tussle with Kalangadoo winning by less than 12 points.
B Grade Kalangadoo versus Hatherleigh
This is a replay of the 2023 grand final at Port MacDonnell when the Magpies ended the run of four consecutive premierships by the Eagles.
Hatherleigh is still reeling from an upset defeat at home in the second semi when a barnstorming Robe outfit continued its unbeaten run.
The hero with seven goals was former A Grade skipper Jaryd Dawson who is said to have the best left foot kick in the Dawson family.
Both teams are chock-a-block with experienced players in the twilight of their careers with the home ground to be the deciding factor.
Senior Colts Mount Burr versus Nangwarry
If there was ever a sentimental favourite to win a premiership, it is the Nangwarry Senior Colts.
They have become the first Saints side to reach the major round since an arsonist destroyed their clubrooms in 2019.
They have accounted for Port MacDonnell and their next target is Mount Burr.
Junior Colts Port MacDonnell versus Kalangadoo
The Junior Colts are one of the three Kalangadoo sides to feature on their home ground in the penultimate game of 2024.
The seasiders won by 35 points at the Bay on the opening day of the season.
In the return match, the Magpies scraped home by four points.
This curtain raiser could go either way.
