HATHERLEIGH 17.21 D GLENCOE 3.6
Hatherleigh brought an abrupt end to their hosts two-game winning streak at Glencoe with an impressive 99 point win.
It was payback time for the Eagles as the Murphies had lowered their colours in their previous meeting in the 2019 second semi-final.
The greater depth of the visitors was evident by quarter time and the fate of the contest was all but decided by the long break.
Coming into the game, the visitors had been the pre-match favourite with key forward Jake Wight averaging eight goals per outing.
Wight was quickly into the play but his match finished before half time owing to a shoulder injury.
Over in the Glencoe camp, the team found it nigh impossible to cover the absence of injured on-baller Zacc Cocks.
The Mail Medallist and past coach wrenched his knee in the game at Nangwarry on May 1.
Cocks faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Glencoe coach Frazer Scanlon played his first game for his new club but the debut of his brother Matt was thwarted by a pre-game train- ing mishap.
ROBE 11.19 D KONGORONG 8.9
Ladder leaders Robe kept its unbeaten record intact and remain in top spot after a 28 point win at Kongorong.
The home team matched the visitors in the first half but then Jack Kelly’s team pulled away to a comprehensive win.
Unheralded forwards like Riley Dickinson stepped up in the fierce contest and his match- high haul of four goals proved to be decisive in the closest contest of round five.
The seasiders were keen to avoid a repeat of their last unhappy outing on the Kongorong Oval which was the cut- throat first semi-final in 2019.
Robe held a handy lead deep into the third term but faded and allowed eventual premier Kalangadoo to make a successful start to their major round.
KALANGADOO 27.18 D NANGWARRY 6.1
Kalangadoo was able to rest its two most senior players at home and still account for neighbours Nangwarry by a massive 143 points.
Neither 38-year-old Ben Mules nor his 36-year-old brother Chris Mules took to the field against the Saints but were granted a leave pass by new coach Kevin Joyce and the rest of the Magpies hierarchy.
After all, they were able to join the major- ity of their 2001premiership team mates on the Benny’s Hill viewing mound to mark the passing of 20 years since Kalangadoo defeated Nangwarry at Mount to claim the flag.
Past premiership players came from as far away as Cairns, Perth and Geelong to join the reunion.
It was a calculated risk to rest the two elder Mules brothers but understandable given the undefeated reigning premiers were hosting the winless reigning wooden spooners.
After showing modest resistance in the opening half, the visitors gained some momentum.
PORT MACDONNELL 26.18 D TANTANOOLA 6.7
Port MacDonnell’s hosting of the winless Tantanoola outfit went to script with the home side cruising in the second half to chalk up a percentage-boosting victory by 119 points.
The young Tiger side fielded five players who are still eligible for senior colts and all have the potential to become valuable A Grade players.
In the meantime, they are being pitted against sides which are chock-a-block with talented and seasoned players who have stronger bodies and wiser heads.
Although the scoreboard results do not make pretty reading for Tigerland supporters most weeks, no one can question the endeavour of those who pull on the red-and-white jumper each week.
Once again, newcomer Kevin Thomson proved his value to the Demons with a handy haul of three goals to take his season’s return to 15.
