Hatherleigh is hitting peak form at the business end of the season as shown by its 79-point win at Mount Burr in round 17 on Saturday of the Mid South Eastern Football League.
Eagles forward Sam Telfer posted the first goal of the match from a set shot at the two-minute mark and this set the tone for the match.
The visitors added another four majors in the opening term while keeping their hosts to a meagre two behinds.
The Mossies rallied in the second term but could not get full value from their forward thrusts.
The match was still in play at the long break and then the Eagles hit full throttle in the second half.
The return from injury of ruckman/forward Darcy Bateman was welcomed by all followers of the blue-and-gold and he was in good touch.
Despite the wet winter, Mick and Jean Walker Oval was again in tip-top condition and this is a credit to honorary groundsman Peter Henderson.
Given the firm playing surface and good weather, Mount Burr’s tally of only three goals was disappointing.
It has been a long time since the Mossies forwards have been so well held.
At the other end of the oval, defender Tyler Stanley was on the sidelines owing to the removal of a wisdom tooth the previous day.
Hatherleigh is still a chance of finishing the minor round in second place.
It hosts Tantanoola in round 18 on Saturday while Mount Burr heads to Robe.
Kalangadoo (147) def Kongorong (28)
The Kalangadoo juggernaut continued in their last home game for 2021 with a convincing 119-point win over Kongorong.
The Magpies were keen to keep their unbeaten record intact and also do well for the sake of popular veteran Chris Mules who was playing his 300th game.
The imbalance in the teams was obvious in all four terms.
The Hawks finish off a disappointing 2021 on Saturday by hosting arch rivals and nearest neighbours Port MacDonnell for the Bruce Lightbody memorial trophy.
It has taken up almost permanent residence at the seaside for the past decade
It honours the memory of the one-time Kongorong president and MSEFL official.
Meanwhile, it is rivalry round for Kalangadoo as it heads to Glencoe for the replay of the 2019 grand final.
The Magpies are keen to return home to Pie Park with the Max Matthews memorial cup.
He was a post-war premiership player at both clubs and a MSE Football League life member.
Glencoe also is staging its annual premiership reunion day.
Tantanoola (158) def Nangwarry (52)
Nangwarry players reached for the mothballs for their guernseys at 5pm on Saturday at Tigerland as Tantanoola ensured they would have another win-less season
The Tigers achieved their highest score of 2021 and outplayed the visitors in every term to win by 110 points.
The match was marred as a spectacle by a melee in the second term.
Field umpires issued two red cards and three yellow cards due to undisciplined acts by players from both teams
Tantanoola completes the home-and-away season by visiting cross town rivals at Hatherleigh
The major round is of great importance to the Tantanoola Football Club as it is its rostered turn to host the MSEFL grand final on September 18.
Port MacDonnell (101) def Robe (73)
Port MacDonnell took a giant step towards securing the vital double chance second semi-final berth against minor premiers Kalangadoo with a gritty 28-point win at the Bay against fellow seaside club Robe.
The victors were greatly assisted by the return from suspension of inspirational skipper Daron Mcelroy.
A highlight for the visitors was the career-high return of six goals by Jack Sneath.
The result lifted the Demons into outright second place while the second consecutive loss by the Roosters dropped them two rungs to fourth place.
One can only wonder if the rumours, since refuted by the club hierarchy, of Robe applying to join the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League in 2022 has had any impact on the playing group.
Robe will finish the home-and-away season with a home match against Mount Burr.
The Demons are not yet guaranteed of second spot as they need to win at Kongorong and retain the prestigious Bruce Lightbody Memorial Shield.
