For the first time in almost two decades, Tantanoola and Hatherleigh feature in the match of the day of the Mid South Eastern Football League at Tigerland on Saturday.
The Tigers and the Eagles have only lost one match between them in the opening eight rounds to make them the early favourites to contest the 2025 grand final at Robe.
The red and whites would love to be on the program for the seaside season decider on September 19 given the weight of history in their favour at this venue.
Despite a 7-0 scorecard this season, Hatherleigh has seldom played four consistent quarters.
Tantanoola’s only blemish came in the round eight trip to the Bay where they kicked a remarkable score of 15.5 but still managed to lose by five points.
The Tigers have found themselves behind in the final term in three other games in 2025 but finished well each time and claimed the premiership points.
One issue which raised the eyebrows of many across the MSEFL last weekend was the number of players who declared themselves to be unavailable due to injuries or other commitments.
The only Tantanoola player to take on the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League at Kongorong last Saturday was joint assistant coach Logan Mitchell.
On the other hand, Hatherleigh had eight players pull on the red and black colours of the Mid SE.
Kade Bradley was its vice captain while the other Eagles were his brother Frazer Bradley along with Brad Mitchell, Mitch Pulmer, Brad Wight, Sam Waring, Mikey Telford and Lewis Walker.
It would come as no surprise that this group of nine players could be somewhat leg-weary given the extremely heavy conditions at the home of the Hawks.
Both teams recruited well over summer and the return of past players with zero transfer points made the respective recruiting committees’ job that little bit easier.
The visitors will start a slight favourite in this upcoming match as they have a little more depth.
Nangwarry v Kalangadoo
Nangwarry officials were quick to point out last weekend that it has been a long time since the Saints had three representatives in a senior interleague team.
It was probably in the 1990s when Nangwarry claimed its only four premierships in 1993, 94, 97 and 99.
The form of Joel Virtanen, Elwood Geary and Bay McKinnon and the 20 other MSEFL players would have come under the scrutiny of SE zone team coach Jack Kelly as he picks a squad to prepare for next month’s SA Country Championships in Port Pirie.
Matches between Kalangadoo and Nangwarry have had a prickly nature over the past decade or so.
This encounter should continue in this vein with Nangwarry the slightest of favourites on their home deck.
Mount Burr v Robe
Both the Roosters and the Mozzies should be fresh as they had limited involvement in the MSEFL interleague team.
Like Port MacDonnell, Robe had no representatives in the team while Mount Burr fared little better with just one.
The seasiders have had a three week break on account of their scheduled bye.
I think such a break is a curse rather than a blessing with Mount Burr favoured to win at home with coach Clint Gallio playing a key role.
Kongorong v Glencoe
The Hawks have had little to cheer about so far in 2025 but the whole club received a boost from staging the annual
South East Championships last weekend.
Its hosting could not be faulted and the catering provided a boost for the club’s coffers.
Furthermore, Kongorong had five participants in the gallant Mid SE senior side which took on the KNTFL.
They were assistant coach Matt Roscow and players Will Von Stanke, Corben O’Dea, Jayk Norman and Tom Hunter.
The heavens opened in the 36 hours prior to the interleague matches with around two imperial inches being dumped on the oval
With further rain forecast this week, the oval surface will still be heavy.
These conditions hold few fears for the visiting Glencoe team and they have the benefits of greater size and experience.
