Kalangadoo V Hatherleigh

Minor premier Kalangadoo is the red-hot premiership favourite after it accounted for second-placed Hatherleigh by 15 points at home on Saturday in the match-of-the-day in the final round of the 2022 Mid South Eastern Football League season.

After conceding four of the opening five goals of the contest, the ladder leaders fought back to almost square the ledger by the long break.

The lead changed hands a few times in the third term before the home side ran out the game well and with greater accuracy in front of goal.

It was easy to forget that this was a “dead rubber” given the great endeavour displayed by both teams.

Played in fine conditions, the top two encounter was well umpired by Neil Webber, Scott Chuck and Brett Watson.

The Magpies thus completed the home-and-away season with just one blemish which was a surprise 42-point loss at Hatherleigh in round nine.

The entertaining match was played with great intensity and before the largest crowd of the home-and-away season.

The vital victory ensures the Magpies have the bragging rights advantage over the Eagles when they meet again in the semi final at Mick and Jean Walker Oval at Mount Burr on September 3.

The home side was keen to do well for the sake of ex-skipper James Pratt who was making his 150th appearance in a black-and-white jumper.

Kalangadoo already has one league trophy to show for 2022 with forward Michael Krieger winning his second consecutive goal-kicking accolade.

After being goalless against the Eagles on June 4, his haul of four majors on Saturday took his season’s tally to a career-high 84.

Around one Imperial inch of rain fell at Kalangadoo on Friday afternoon with the oval surface heavy, but playable.

It has a good covering of grass and should be ‘cherry ripe’ to host the preliminary and grand finals on consecutive Saturdays in mid-September.

Mount Burr D Tantanoola

Mount Burr warmed up for its return to major round action with an impressive 131-point win over ‘cross-town’ rivals Tantanoola at home at Mick and Jean Walker Oval.

As with all four round 18 matches, the result did not have any influence on the shape of the top four.

Nevertheless, the Mozzies had a single-mind focus of winning well and that was achieved in spades.

Spearhead Hamish Smith again provided a reliable avenue to goal for the home team and his four majors lifted his season’s tally to 63.

This is the best return by a Mount Burr player since Jack Gregory won the MSEFL trophy with 73 goals in the premiership-winning season of 2017.

Mount Burr is now counting the days to its first major round match since the losing grand final to Robe at Glencoe in 2018.

The club also has the responsibility of hosting the first semi-final blockbuster between minor premiers Kalangadoo and Hatherleigh on September 3.

The Tantanoola hierarchy will now be focussed on keeping its talented teenage cohort over summer and securing some key position players in a bid to climb the ladder.

Port MacDonnell D Glencoe

Port MacDonnell finished the minor round in good style with a 56-point victory over Glencoe at the Bay.

It was a disappointing outcome for the Murphies as they were aiming for a sixth consecutive win which would have retained them fifth place.

Due to the muddy condition of the seaside venue, there was pre-game speculation of it being played at either Glencoe or Tantanoola.

The Demons have been training at other venues in recent weeks in a bid to assist the re-growth of the grass.

Ahead of the match at Thursday night training, the Murphies had announced the re-appointment of Tom Edwards for a second consecutive season as A Grade coach.

The match featured two of the pre-count favourites for the 2022 Mail Medal.

Both Glencoe’s Zacc Cocks and Port MacDonnell’s Will Macdonald are past Mail Medallists.

The medal winner will be announced at the Millicent War Memorial Civic and Arts Centre on Sunday afternoon.

Robe D NangwarrY

Robe players got to sing their victory song one last time in 2022 after their 57-point victory at Nangwarry.

The visitors shot out to a quarter time lead of 42 points and honours were squared thereafter.

The result meant Robe leap-frogged Glencoe and moved back to fifth place.

There were notable goalscoring efforts from both camps.

Saints recruit Andrew Hyland kicked six of his team’s 10 goals to take his season’s tally to an even 60.

Robe vice-captain Jack Sneath again relished his switch from defence to score a game-high seven goals.

Sneath booted 20 goals in his past five games as a forward.

He was well supported on Saturday by colt Joel Bryant with six goals.

The Roosters have the responsibility of hosting the cut-throat first semi-final between Port MacDonnell and Mount Burr on Saturday.

The Saints can reflect on a season where their form was patchy but it did finally bring a breakthrough win at home at the expense of Tantanoola on June 18.