HATHERLEIGH V KALANGADOO

This is the blockbuster contest of round six with Hatherleigh’s hosting of Kalangadoo expected to attract one of the biggest crowds of the home-and-away season. 

Not only does the Eagles have one of the largest followings in the competition, but the club hierarchy has also deemed the encounter to be its annual sponsors’ day. 

Both teams are in ‘cherry ripe’ form with the Magpies being undefeated and Hatherleigh only having the one blemish at Robe in round three. 

 The visitors will be strengthened by the return of the two elder Mules brothers who were rested in the big home ground win against Nangwarry on Saturday. 

Both Ben and Chrissy are on the  wrong side of 35 and the week-off ena- bled them to join in the simultaneous  reunion of their 2001 premiership win over the Saints at Mount Burr. 

There is also interest on the Hatherleigh 21 as ex-SANFL player Caolan Buckley is back on the training track. 

Ace forward Jake Wight might be in doubt owing to a shoulder injury suffered in round five. 

ROBE V GLENCOE 

The winning run of ladder leaders Robe looks set to continue at home against a lacklustre Glencoe. 

The Roosters have four sizeable wins to their credit and they have been achieved without the services of ace ex-SANFL recruit Bily Laurie who is bound for the seaside. 

On the other hand, the Murphies have seldom impressed and their forward line has had some modest starts. 

Against Mount Burr in round two, Glencoe had just one goal on the board in the opening half. 

There was an even leaner result in round five at home to Hatherleigh when a solitary major was posted by Glencoe by the final change. 

It is an understatement to say the team is missing 2019-centurion Brodie Foster who has returned to South Gambier. 

Glencoe had wretched luck before the game against the Eagles as recruit  Matt Scanlon was injured in a pre-match warm-up. 

 NANGWARRY V PORT MACDONNELL

Nangwarry’s chances of a breakthrough win at home over Port  MacDonnell hinge on the ability of the 21 players to apply maximum pressure over all four quarters. 

There is definite improvement on recent years and players like Jake McKeon, George McWaters and new coach Luke Thomson must surely be attracting the attention of the umpires when they fill in the Mail Medal voting slips. 

It was only a few seasons ago the  Saints seldom had players who featured in the polling for the best and fairest count of the MSEFL. 

A victory against the Demons looks remote as the seasiders have only had one blemish against Kalangadoo so far in 2021. 

As a sidelight, new Port MacDonnell coach Simon Merrett will be lining up against his old club for the first time. 

TANTANOOLA V MOUNT BURR

The die appears to be cast for Tantanoola in 2021 as a place in the major round looks remote. 

The Tigers host cross-town rivals Mount Burr whose form, to put it kindly, has been patchy. 

At their best, the Mozzies are a ‘top four’ team but consistency is the key. 

The visitors would be looking to curb the influence of on-baller Jack Dawe who is in a rich vein of form. 

Dawe has been named best or second-best over the past four weeks. 

 As Tantanoola has not won any games, Dawe’s efforts may not have been rewarded with many Mail Medal votes as they tend to go to the winning teams. 

Nevertheless, Dawe must surely be a strong chance to be in the centre square at the opening bounce of next month’s interleague contest. 

The MSEFL will play the Western Border on June 12 at Millicent.