Undefeated ladder leader Kalangadoo secured the minor premiership with a gutsy 34-point win at Robe when the Mid South East Football League resumed on Saturday after a three-week COVID-imposed hiatus.
The hard-won victory involving the competition’s two top teams was the perfect way to mark the 300th game of ex-coach and Magpie stalwart Chrissy Mules.
He has been a crowd favourite around the MSEFL ever since he was a 16-year-old member of Kalangadoo’s 2000 premiership team.
The minor premiership accolade is some measure of compensation for rookie Magpie coach Kevin Stark who has been sidelined for much of the season due to a serious leg injury.
On the other hand, it was a costly loss for the Roosters as they are still keen to meet Kalangadoo again in the double chance second semi-final.
Robe has held on to second place but is just clear of third-placed Port MacDonnell by virtue of a superior percentage.
The seasiders could be excused for making a slow start as they had not played for five weeks.
This was due to their scheduled bye, SA Country championships and two COVID-related state-wide sport bans.
The visitors led by 13 points at quarter time and their advantage was increased at the two subsequent change-of –
ends.
Magpie forward Michael Krieger was a reliable avenue in attack and his game-high contribution of six goal took his season’s tally to 52.
Krieger leads the MSEFL goalkickers with new Port MacDonnell assistant coach Kevin Thomson in second place with 43.
As well as the on-field action, the Robe Oval was awash with rumours that Robe is looking to leave the MSEFL at season’s end and join the neighbouring Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League.
Robe has been a part of the MSEFL since the mid-1960s when it left the now-defunct Southern Ports Football
League.
Instigations by The SE Voice reveal no high-level talks with relevant stake-holders have yet been held.
In round 17, Robe makes the 310km round trip to the Bay in a must-win match against Port MacDonnell, while Kalangadoo is at home to Kalangadoo.
