Minor and reigning premiers Kalangadoo has completed an unblemished home-and-away season with an impressive 82-point thrashing at Glencoe on Saturday in round 18 of the Mid South East Football League.
The Magpies returned home with the Max Matthews Memorial Cup after turning on a powerful display in front of a large crowd.
The trophy is presented each year by the children of the post-war premiership player at both Kalangadoo and Glencoe.
The two clubs have been on-field foes for almost 100 years with the latest crop of players in the black-and-white determined to enter the major round in peak form.
They are only two victories away from matching the so-called invincible status of the undefeated 1952 team.
It was the annual Glencoe premiership reunion day with members in attendance of eight grand final winning teams across all four grades dating back to the 1950s.
Magpie spearhead Michael Krieger was again in fine fettle and his nine goals took him to a season’s tally of 70 and the MSEFL goalkicking trophy.
He averaged exactly five goals-per-match and finished the minor round 21 goals ahead of rookie Port MacDonnell assistant coach Kevin Thomson.
Kalangadoo returns to the Glencoe Oval on September 4 for the second semi-final clash with second-placed Port MacDonnell.
Port MacDonnell 144 def. Kongorong 25
Port MacDonnell returned to the Bay with the Bruce Lightbody Memorial Shield and the premiership points which has guaranteed it a double chance second semi final berth against undefeated minor premiers Kalangadoo at Glencoe on September 4.
The Hawks usually lift a notch when this match is played as the prestigious trophy honours the memory of a one-time Kongorong Football Club president and MSEFL official.
However, the match was one-sided with Demon skipper Daron Mcelroy being prominent against his home club.
Port MacDonnell has earned a week’s rest after a near 20-goal victory.
Hatherleigh 161 def. Tantanoola 50
Hatherleigh warmed up for the major round with a comprehensive 112-point thrashing at home of cross-town rivals Tantanoola.
The Eagles applied maximum pressure as a berth in the second semi-final remained in play.
That was not to be as they now face fourth-placed Robe on Saturday in the cut-throat first semi final at Mick and Jean Walker Oval at Mount Burr.
First-year Hatherleigh coach Jake Dowdy will also be at the helm in 2022 as his re-appointment has been announced.
There was only a handful of points separating the Eagles and the Tigers at Tigerland in round nine.
However, Saturday’s result was known by half-time when Hatherleigh led by 36 points.
The Tigers are in a re-building phase and fielded six players who are still eligible for senior colts.
The Tantanoola hierarchy has confidence in the senior coaching panel as first-year playing coach Jak Ryan and his non-playing assistant Mike Reilly have both been reappointed to their respective roles for the 2022 season.
Although their playing obligations are over, Tantanoola footballers will join their fellow club members in staging the MSEFL grand final on September 18.
Meanwhile, Saturday was chosen for the 50th anniversary reunion of Hatherleigh’s breakthrough premiership team from 1971.
The B Grade was runners-up on that day and its veterans also held a get-together.
Robe 87 def. Mount Burr 34
Robe took the honours over Mount Burr by a convincing margin of 52 points at the seaside.
Yet again, SANFL recruit Billy Lawrie dominated for the victors and he is one of the pre-count favourites for the Mail Medal which will be announced in Millicent on Sunday.
The Roosters claimed the premiership points with relative ease but remained in fourth place as upset results in two other games did not occur.
As in 2019, the seasiders have been consigned to a cut-throat final.
After hosting the first semi on Saturday, Mount Burr can fully concentrate on the 2022 season under reappointed coach Reece Duncan.
