Hatherleigh v Robe
Robe’s assault on the Mid South Eastern Football League flag has crashed off the rails following its third consecutive defeat by 37 points on a heavy ground at Hatherleigh on Saturday.
After opening the season with seven consecutive wins, the Roosters have crashed from the top.
On the other hand, Hatherleigh’s victory in the round 13 blockbuster has secured it fourth place and a significant morale booster as well.
The match was witnessed by the largest minor round crowd this season including non-playing coach Craig Skeer and every member of Hatherleigh’s last senior premiership team in 2013.
Current players Jack Sullivan, Sam Telfer, Brad Wight and Jase Bateman were in the team which defeated reigning premiers Port MacDonnell by five points at Kongorong a decade ago.
A further five of these winning Eagles played in the curtain-raiser including 2013 skipper Tylah Saunders who nowadays lives in the Northern Territory and still plays football.
There was still a significant number of Rooster supporters watching from the sidelines including injured coach Nathan Brown.
The seasiders dearly missed someone of his skill and experience.
Hatherleigh set up its win with an impressive first term and never looked like being overtaken thereafter.
Eagles recruit and incoming coach Tom Hutchesson showed his class in the wet and heavy conditions to finish with four of his team’s 10 goals.
Looking ahead to Saturday, Robe hosts round 13 winners Glencoe while Hatherleigh heads to Mick and Jean Walker Oval at Mount Burr.
The seasiders have designated this day as a reunion of the newly-formed Robe Past Players and Officials Association.
Glencoe v Kongorong
Glencoe took a major step towards avoiding its first-ever wooden spoon when it defeated Kongorong at home by 57 points.
There now has to be a major form reversal by the likes of the Hawks and the Nangwarry Saints for the Murphies to end 2023 at the foot of the premiership table.
As well as singing their victory song, Glencoe also celebrated the passing of 50 years since the opening of their purpose-built licensed clubrooms.
Both the Murphies and the Hawks attacked relentlessly and their combined tall of almost 40 goals was commendable in the depths of a very wet winter.
It was home ground forward Tory Weaver who led the statistics with six goals while team mate and skipper Zacc Cocks was named best-on-ground for the umpteenth time in his decorated career.
Kongorong’s Cam Sandercock was the best forward with a bag of five goals.
Glencoe heads to Robe on Saturday while Kongorong has the bye.
Kalangadoo v Nangwarry
The anticipated Kalangadoo home ground victory over Nangwarry was achieved by a margin of exactly 150 points.
The Magpies were at unbackable odds ahead of the match given the reigning premiers were hosting the reigning wooden spooners.
The black-and-whites sought to maximise their percentage as the jostling continues to finish the minor round in the top two and thus earn a place in the double chance second semi-final.
With such an aim in mind, there was no thought given to resting any Magpies.
Returning player Dylan Bromley again led the Kalangadoo goalkickers with a bag of five and the top of the goalkicking table is within reach.
Bromley last won this league trophy in 2013 when he booted 93 goals for Port MacDonnell.
He is also well placed to become the first player to have two Mid SE premiership medals and two from the Western Border.
His previous successes in grand finals came with Port MacDonnell, Millicent and West Gambier.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the oval, Nangwarry co-captain Andrew Hyland kicked two of his team’s three goals.
Hyland is still in the mix for the league goalkicking trophy and is already the most potent Saints forward since Adam Stewart led the Mid SE in 2007 with 78 goals.
Kalangadoo heads to Tantanoola for round 14 while Nangwarry hosts Port MacDonnell.
Port MacDonnell v Mount Burr
The chances of Mount Burr reaching the major round plummeted on Saturday following its 36-point defeat at the hands of Port MacDonnell at the Bay.
It was a far better effort than their round four meeting when the green-and-golds could only manage three goals in good conditions on their home deck.
Known as the “September specialists”, the Mozzies only have four more games to move up from fifth position.
At present, the green-and-golds are two wins and almost 10%age points adrift of fourth-placed Hatherleigh.
The Demons had many contributors in their success and regular back pocket and ex-skipper Zack Williams even made a rare appearance among the list of goalkickers.
On the other hand, Port MacDonnell kept its place at the head of the ladder and should remain there after round 14 is played on Saturday.
The Demons head to Nangwarry for round 14 while Mount Burr hosts Hatherleigh in an eagerly-anticipated cross-town derby.
