It may be an overused cliché but Mount Burr’s season is on the line as it prepares for its annual trip to Robe on Saturday in round 16 of the Mid South East Football League.


Depending on the results of three of the four scheduled matches, the Mozzies could be back in the top four or almost out of touch.


Clint Gallio’s team is behind fourth-placed Kalangadoo in terms of wins and percentage but the Magpies have a bye in round 18.


It is a fairly simple equation for the “September Specialists” in the green and gold patriotic colours.


Mount Burr needs to win well at Robe while home team Kongorong needs to not only lower the colours of Kalangadoo but also by a big margin.


One of these scenarios is possible while the other is highly unlikely.


Without being too unkind, Mount Burr played a shocker at home to Hatherleigh in round 15.


To boot only four goals and concede 16 majors on a perfect day for footy weather-wise, shows Mount Burr are a long way behind Hatherleigh.


There is a tiny glimmer of hope for the visitors to the seaside in the Roosters were defeated by the Demons at the Bay last Saturday.


Mind you, the margin was only 14 points in a low-scoring match.


The seasiders really mean business and the excellent on-field leadership provided by captain Henry Lawrie and coach Nathan Brown will tip the balance in favour of Robe.


Kongorong v Kalangadoo


As well as the scheduled match on Saturday, Kalangadoo plans to also visit Kongorong next month.


If the Magpies win their next four matches, they will defend their premiership on the Kongorong Oval on September 21.


The reigning premiers have got a number of positive factors in train and not just the fact they defeated the Hawks at home by 87 points in round seven.


The club had a big dose of flag fever last weekend when they defeated arch rivals Glencoe by almost 10 goal and also celebrated the hattrick of flags in 1982, 83 and 84.


To cap off a euphoric weekend, club stalwart Peter Savage was named a Legend of Kalangadoo and had the timekeepers’ box named in his honour.


Without wanting to rain on Kalangadoo’s parade but it should be pointed out that a number of Magpies are in the Super Veteran category.


At least four players well over 35 have recently pulled on the black and white colours.


Helping with the age balance is the return from injury of key forward Michael Krieger.


Having a bye will assist Kongorong but the Hawks will find the Magpies hard to beat.


Glencoe v Nangwarry


The only round 16 match which has no impact on the top four is Glencoe’s hosting of Nangwarry.


When the sides last met on May 25, the Murphies were in full flight and won the contest by a whopping 92 points.


I expect the visitors to trim back that deficit by a fair margin but a win looks doubtful.


Nangwarry put Tantanoola to the sword in round 15 at home but there were a couple of factors which will be missing on Saturday.


The Saints had members of the 1994 and 1999 premiership teams in attendance and they were also celebrating the appointment of key ruckman George McWaters as their playing coach for 2025.


On the debit side, Nangwarry skipper Jake McKeon appeared to suffer a serious knee injury and may have a lengthy enforced spell on the sidelines.


All eyes in attack will be focussed on Glencoe forward Alex Hentschke who leads the MSESFL table with 47 goals.


He is a whisker ahead of Hatherleigh’s Paddy Chay who missed a match recently as he opted to play for the South Adelaide Reserves at Noarlunga Oval in suburban Adelaide.


Hentschke’s best day out so far in 2024 was the eight-goal haul at the expense of Port MacDonnell on the first day of June.


Throughout his long career, Hentschke has mostly directed the traffic from centre half-forward.


He has averaged over two goals per game in the MSEFL with 386 majors from 179 appearances.


The rebuild of the Murphies will continue into 2025 but they need players of the calibre of Alex Hentschke to stick around and mentor the next generation of Glencoe youngsters along with reappointed non-playing coach Reece Duncan.


Tantanoola v Port MacDonnell


While the slim possibility of securing a double chance berth remains, you will not see any slacking off from Port MacDonnell.


With percentage likely to play a part in the makeup of the top four, expect to see a big crowd from the Bay at Tigerland to cheer on their team.


Tantanoola has gone from chocolates to boiled lollies in recent weeks as they have struggled to cover the absence of such on-field leaders as coach Jack Dawe and joint captain Troy Hatt.