Mount Burr 8.10 defeated Kalangadoo 7.8
A bumper crowd witnessed Mount Burr lower the colours of reigning premiers Kalangadoo by eight points under lights at Mick and Jean Walker Oval on Saturday night in the second round of the Mid South East Football League.
Can Hill was packed with spectators along with a nearby Ladies Only marquee and they saw a superb best on ground effort by new Mozzies coach Clint Gallio.
The Magpies held a slender lead coming into time-on in the last quarter but superb shots on goal by Gallio and Jack Gregory both brought up the maximum six points.
Only a couple of goals had separated the teams all night in an entertaining but low-scoring game.
The Mozzies and the Magpies were evenly matched in most respects but the extra pace and better use of the ball handed the home team the winning edge.
They also had Gallio in great touch and he backed up his field game with three goals.
After the final siren sounded, the Harry Bott Memorial Shield was returned to the Thomas Drive clubrooms for a further 12 months.
It was first awarded around 30 years ago to honour the memory of the late Kalangadoo Football Club president and Mount Burr storekeeper.
It was the first Mid SE game at Mick and Jean Walker Oval in a year since Tantanoola narrowly lost on a soggy evening.
Mount Burr learned from that experience and was determined to improve facilities for patrons.
The club hierarchy hired portable lights to illuminate some of the darker public areas while entertainers Jason and Christy Wallace were engaged to perform on Can Hill at game’s end.
The Magpies play at home for the first time in 2024 on Saturday when they host the unbeaten Hatherleigh Eagles in a replay of both the 2022 and 2023 grand finals.
The Mozzies meet their one-time Woods and Forests timber town rivals at Nangwarry.
Hatherleigh 19.18 defeated Kongorong 6.4
The home ground advantage and return of three key players gave Hatherleigh the edge over Kongorong.
Adding the likes of ex-coach Gerard McGrath, Darcy Bateman and Sam Telfer gave greater firepower in defence, in the ruck and in the forward line.
The first 15 minutes of the game were an arm wrestle and then Hatherleigh bolted away to claim a quarter-time lead of 28 points.
The honours were shared in the second term and then the Eagles got away again to record a big win in the second half.
In round three, Hatherleigh is on the road to Kalangadoo and looking to avenge the results of the past two grand finals.
Kongorong has a special post-Anzac Day tribute match against Robe with the best on ground receiving the John Rogers Memorial Medal in honour of the late local National Serviceman who died whilst on active duty in Vietnam in 1968.
The Mount Gambier RSL will lead a pre-match ceremony involving footballers, netballers, umpires and officials.
For the first time, the best on court in A Grade netball will be awarded the Mel Tilley memorial medal.
He had been a trainer and life member of the Kongorong Netball Club and had passed away during the off-season.
Port MacDonnell 19.22 defeated Nangwarry 9.4
Nangwarry had a much longer off-season than Port MacDonnell but it counted for little in their match at the Bay.
The Saints led for much of the opening term until a late surge gave the seasiders a four-point lead at quarter time.
The Demons set up their win in the second term by slamming on 6.7 while conceding just two behinds.
The match tightened up after the long break but Port MacDonnell always looked in control.
It was a day for forwards with the home team’s Alex Ridding bagging nine goals while visiting player Andrew Hyland booted seven of his team’s nine goals.
Nangwarry is at home on Saturday to Mount Burr while Port MacDonnell has the bye.
Robe 17.14 defeated Glencoe 9.9
Robe has a 2-0 start to 2024 while Glencoe’s tally is 0-2 after the two teams met at the seaside.
Visiting umpire and MP Nick McBride said Robe controlled much of the match.
McBride has regularly umpired in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League for several seasons and hopes to get more experience with the MSEFL panel in 2024.
“Before our game started, all footballers, netballers and umpires and club officials gathered at the netball club,” McBride said.
There was a brief ceremony courtside to honour the passing over summer of Rose Perkins and Michelle Everett who were members of the Robe community and its netball club.
Glencoe will be looking for a breakthrough win at home to Tantanoola in round three while Robe is expected to keep the home team winless at Kongorong.
