Kalangadoo v Mount Burr
A revitalised Kalangadoo again features in the Mid South Eastern Football League match of the day on Saturday as it hosts Mount Burr in round 11.
The two neighbouring clubs are also adjacent on the premiership table with the third-placed Mozzies one rung above the Magpies.
The reigning premiers began the season with four consecutive losses, but the premiership hangover has finished and they are playing good footy.
On the other hand, the form of the green and golds has been patchy but still good enough to be ahead at 5pm on seven occasions so far in 2024.
The visitors should again have the services of Clint Gallio after injury caused him to miss the big win over Kongorong and his 150th game.
He began his playing career with Mount Burr as a junior, winning premierships in Junior Colts (2006) and Senior Colts (2007) while also winning the MSE Malseed Medal as the best under 17 in 2008.
In 2009 Gallio made his senior debut and played in the first of his five A Grade premierships as a Mozzie.
He won the MSE’s highest award the Mail Medal in 2014 after having been runner up the previous two years.
His time coaching Millicent brought him four premierships as well as the Hennessey Medal as the Western Border’s best and fairest.
As well as the home ground advantage, Mount Burr will have to overcome a confident Kalangadoo line up.
To boot 19 of the last 22 goals against quality opposition in Port MacDonnell in round 10 sounds a warning to the eight other clubs that Kalangadoo are hungry for another hattrick of flags.
Nangwarry v Port MacDonnell
There is an obvious temptation for Port MacDonnell to rest some players as it goes about picking the 21 who will take on the home side at Nangwarry.
The Demons have the scheduled bye in round 12 and then there is no club level footy anywhere in South Australia on July 13 on account of the annual Country Championships at Victor Harbor.
Thus, it could be possible for the seasiders to be without four-time Mail Medallist Will Macdonald (rib injury) and the versatile Kyall McLean (corked thigh) for five weeks.
Such a period away from the action would ensure they would be cherry ripe to play against the Mount Burr Mozzies at the Bay on July 20.
Port MacDonnell welcomed back Josh Woodall and skipper and fellow Mail Medallist Tim Sullivan in round 10 but the whole team fell well short of Kalangadoo in the second half.
The Saints have not been posting big scores in 2024 but will make any non-focussed team pay the ultimate price.
Some heavier playing conditions would benefit the home team but winter is slow to arrive in the region this year.
Kongorong v Hatherleigh
Kongorong’s ability to play four consistent quarters will be tested at home by Hatherleigh who are the undefeated ladder leaders.
The Eagles can afford to lose their last seven games and still play in the finals.
That is unlikely and the blue and golds like playing at this venue as it is the scene of their most recent grand final win in 2013.
MSEFL supporters would be pleased to hear that any possibility of Hatherleigh leaving the competition for the new Limestone Coast Football Netball League in 2025 appears to have been quashed.
The Eagles can now concentrate on securing the minor premiership and then their sixth grand final win.
Without being disrespectful to Kongorong, the Hatherleigh brains trust would be tempted to give plenty of game time to the colts who are likely to play in the major round.
Experiencing the cauldron which is A Grade football will pay dividends come finals.
Glencoe v Robe
The scoreboard showed that Robe defeated Glencoe by 53 points at the seaside on April 20 but the record books will forever show otherwise.
Owing to a team sheet error, the Roosters were stripped of their score and the premiership points and have a $1000 suspended fine hanging over their heads.
The premiership points were awarded to the Murphies and helped them stay in the upper half of the league ladder for much of the season.
However, heavy away losses to Mount Burr and Hatherleigh has decimated its percentage and put Glencoe in sixth place.
Playing back home is always worth a few goals while the Glencoe Oval will be in tip-top condition.
It has not had a game for around a month since the Port MacDonnell Demons paid their annual visit and took the honours on the first day of June.
Robe has good memories of the Glencoe Oval at it defeated Mount Burr there for its last premiership in 2018.
With the minor premiership firmly in their sights, the Roosters will win and put the Murphies even further away from major round contention.
