ROUND 9 PREVIEW
KALANGADOO V GLENCOE
Glencoe players finally get their chance to avenge their heavy loss to Kalangadoo in the 2019 grand final 21 months ago at Mick and Jean Walker Oval at Mount Burr. The MSEFL home-and-away season reaches the halfway mark on Saturday with the injured-riddled Murphies at long odds to lower the colours of the Magpies at Kalangadoo Soldiers Memorial Park.
The intense rivalry between the two neighbouring clubs dates back to the 1920s. The home side can go full bore as it has the following two Saturdays without a game due to the interleague match against the Western Border Football League at McLaughlin Park at Millicent and then the scheduled bye.
On current form, Kalangadoo will make up a major portion of the MSEFL team on June 12. The Magpies probably will not need extra moral and vocal support to defeat the Murphies but the supporters of the black-and-whites will be out in force in any case.
The $900,000 project to renovate and extend the clubrooms and changerooms will be officially opened by dignitaries from the three tiers of government. Other events certain to boost crowd numbers are the Kalangadoo AFLW presentations, sponsors day, indigenous round and the presentation of the Tim Brennan Medal.
TANTANOOLA V HATHERLEIGH
Tantanoola has the home-ground advantage as it seeks a rare hat-trick of victories at the expense of Hatherleigh. Winning form is good form and the Tigers have already beaten their other cross-town rivals in 2021. Their May 15 triumph at home over the Mount Burr Mozzies is widely regarded as the upset of the season to date.
It is no coincidence these two wins have come after new coach Jak Ryan was able to take his place in the team after recovering from an off-season injury. The Eagles are looking secure in fourth place as they are a win plus almost 10 percentage points ahead of the Mount Burr Mozzies who are fifth.
Hatherleigh’s defence is rock solid while teen Louis Brown is a live wire in attack. A loss at Tigerland would cast doubts as to whether the Eagles are a legitimate premiership contender.
MOUNT BURR V ROBE
The worst-case scenario in round nine for Mount Burr would be to lose at home to Robe and drift even further away from the top four. The Mozzies are having trouble ahead of centre with ace forward Dylan Ridley on the long-term injured list.
This has resulted in the transfer of key defender Sam Wallis to the forward line. Wallis is arguably the best defender in the MSEFL and was given the task of minding West Coast Eagles premiership star Daniel Kerr when he was guest player with Tantanoola a few years ago.
The Roosters face a road trip and have tumbled from top to third after losses to Kalangadoo and Port MacDonnell. The visitors should have too much talent to succumb to a third consecutive defeat.
PORT MACDONNELL V KONGORONG
A huge crowd is expected to gather at the seaside when Port MacDonnell hosts near neighbours Kongorong. On current form, the honours should go the way of the seasiders by a considerable margin. The Demons came away with the premiership points after its longest trip to Robe in round eight whereas the Hawks were very disappointing at home to top-team Kalangadoo.
It is perhaps fair to say that never before has a Kongorong team ever booted just one goal on its home deck and conceded 20. The lop-sided result saw the percentage of the Hawks tumble from 52.56 to 46.86.
Port MacDonnell hopes to ensure its occupancy of second spot is more secure with a win at the Bay.
