Tantanoola v Glencoe

A prestigious trophy is up for grabs when Glencoe ventures down the Mile Hill Road to take on Tantanoola in round six of the Mid South Eastern Football League on
 Saturday.

The winner keeps possession of the Neil Von Duve Memorial Trophy for a further 12 months.

It honours the memory of the popular player with both clubs as well as a senior member of the MSEFL umpires’ panel.

The two competing clubs can lay claim to being among the oldest clubs in the region.

There was footy being played at Tantanoola in the 1800s while, other than the two world wars, Glencoe has been in continuous existence since 1910.

Every club supporter knows that its senior team has never won a wooden spoon.

As both clubs share an unofficial eastern boundary, it is not surprising that some players pulled on both the maroon and gold and red and white jumpers.

The best-known multiple club player was Peter Ey and he also played with distinction at Kalangadoo and was a dedicated MSEFL administrator after hanging up the boots.

Ey died last month and it would be fitting to acknowledge him in the post-match presentations.

Meanwhile, Tantanoola has ensured it will have a large gathering at Tigerland by declaring Saturday to be Sponsors Day.

Club stalwarts Kat Reilly and Tiana Telfer have shared the sponsorship coordinator’s role this season and ensured the continuation of a vital revenue stream.

The Tantanoola faithful will be out in force to see if Jack Dawe’s team can achieve a fifth consecutive win for the first time in almost 20 years.

If fit, it will be Dawe’s 100th game.

If the numbers are sweet enough, the Tigers could even knock undefeated reigning premiers Hatherleigh off top spot.

Nearly all of Hatherleigh’s A and B Grade players were in the tin shed at Millicent’s McLaughlin Park on Saturday night for the game under lights.

These same Eagles should turn up to Tigerland on Saturday to see two likely major round participants in action.

Glencoe was in startling form when it defeated Kalangadoo and Port MacDonnell while Tantanoola has had a blemish-free start to 2025.

The Murphies will have to curb the influence of three top Tigers.

If they can blunt the likes of newcomers Logan Mitchell and Sam Willis and returning player Jordan Gould, they would have taken giant steps towards victory.

The dangermen in Glencoe’s camp include Patrick Mitchell, Dylan Childs and Tom Edwards.

An enthralling contest is guaranteed.

Port MacDonnell v Kalangadoo

The advantage offered by their seaside fortress gives Port MacDonnell the status of favourite over the winless Kalangadoo.

If the Magpies succumb for the fifth consecutive week, they might as well start ordering the mothballs to arrive after their round 18 game against Nangwarry on August 23.

These two teams last met in the 2024 first semi final.

Kalangadoo players and supporters took umbrage to this writer dubbing them “the Great Pretenders” and gave Port MacDonnell a hiding.

The euphoria lasted for a fortnight before the Magpies were, in turn, thrashed by Robe.

The seasiders are clinging to fourth sport and should add another win.

Nangwarry v Robe

The young Saints have been in patchy form and this is often the case when a side has up to nine players aged 18 or under.

They have a couple of factors going their way when they host Robe.

The Roosters are not renowned travellers and especially to distant places, they have lost two of their past three games and they could be without their injured skipper and reigning Mail Medallist Henry Lawrie.

Some may see this match as a contest of the silvertails and the battlers.

Nangwarry may finish behind on the scoreboard but they will make Robe players earn every kick.

Kongorong v Mount Burr

Kongorong welcomes Mount Burr who will again have the on-field benefit of coach Clint Gallio as he has served a one-match suspension.

The Mozzies have five weeks away from Mick and Jean Walker Oval due to their scheduled bye and the June 7 South East Carnival at Kongorong.

Good efforts by the young Hawks in the coming weeks may prompt a call-up to represent the MSEFL next month.

In a change of selection policy of previous years, the MSEFL has called on its nine clubs to nominate players.